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Damjan Smodis

@damjansmodis

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Senior hardware development and ESD/LU test engineer delivering reliable semiconductor qualification.

Slovenia

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can lead hardware validation and ESD qualification programs, optimize test automation, mentor teams, and drive production-ready PCB and embedded solutions within quality-focused engineering organizations.

I am a Senior Hardware Development and ESD/LU Test Engineer with 14+ years of experience in semiconductor qualification, PCB development, and system validation. I have executed 1000+ ESD/LU qualification projects, designed 20+ PCBs with Altium Designer, and performed HBM, MM, CDM, LU and Thermostream testing across -40°C to +250°C to meet JS, AEC, MIL and EMVCo standards.

I specialize in laboratory automation, waveform analysis, instrument calibration, and statistical evaluation using tools such as LabVIEW, Minitab, MicroPython and MikroC. I consistently drive process optimization, mentor junior engineers, and deliver production-ready hardware validated through rigorous testing and documentation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Hardware Development Engineer

AMS-OSRAM

Sep 2015 - Dec 2025 (10 years 3 months)

Led ESD/LU and semiconductor qualification programs, executing 1000+ ESD/LU projects and delivering 20+ PCB designs validated for -40°C to +250°C Thermostream conditions. Improved test throughput and reporting by implementing automated data acquisition and statistical analysis.

ESD Testing (HBM CDM Thermostream PCB Design Test Automation Minitab

Project Manager / Lab Evaluation Engineer

NXP Semiconductors

Jan 2013 - Dec 2014 (1 year 11 months)

Managed lab evaluation and reliability testing for NFC and EMVCo-compliant devices, performing antenna measurements, Thermostream testing, and protocol validation to ensure standards compliance. Supported automated instrumentation and data acquisition for repeatable validation.

Thermostream Antenna Measurements Smith Chart Test Planning

Development Engineer

Epcos OHG

Jan 2013 - Dec 2013 (11 months)

Developed LabVIEW measurement programs and built setups for capacitor and FRA testing, conducting dielectric strength, ESR, impedance, and high-voltage cycle tests (700V–1000V) with ANOVA-based statistical evaluation.

Impedance ANOVA Data Analysis Instrumentation

CAD Design Engineer

Elrad International

Jan 2011 - Dec 2012 (1 year 11 months)

Performed CAD design and technical coordination for industrial projects, designing energy-efficient systems and managing supplier–customer technical interactions to ensure project delivery.

Autocad CAD Design technical coordination Project Management Supplier Management Documentation

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

2007 - 2011

Activities and societies: Designed and developed PCB projects; participated in Erasmus exchange and embedded systems development.

Completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with coursework and projects focused on electronics and embedded systems from 2007 to 2011.

University of Vienna, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Exchange Student, Electrical Engineering

2007 - 2008

Activities and societies: Studied hardware validation, debugging, and performance optimization of electronic assemblies.

Erasmus exchange student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology focusing on hardware validation and embedded engineering coursework.