Laura, how would you describe yourself?
  • Sports Enthusiast
  • Optimizer/Improver
  • Photograph
  • Problem Solver
  • Knowledge Sharer
What is special about working at Infineon?

Working at Infineon in the Industrial Power Control division, I feel part of a modern company that is a main player in one of the most important challenges of our time, namely making the world greener through innovative and competitive products that enable energy to be used efficiently.

The people I work with at Infineon are very special. I am happy to work with colleagues who are friendly, competent and willing to help. Together we form a cohesive and collaborative team, which makes workdays very pleasant and fun, as well as challenging. For me, this is a stimulating environment where I can enhance my skills. Infineon also promotes work/life balance and flexitime, which is very helpful!

What are your main tasks?

I mainly work on gate drivers and intelligent power switches, the key elements in increasing power efficiency. Before reaching the market, each device is tested both at wafer and package level.

I am in charge of developing the test solutions that are implemented at production sites on automated test equipment. The aim of this testing is to verify that each device is fully functional and meets the datasheet specifications in order to deliver high-quality products and maintain the customer’s trust.

I look after all stages of test development, from defining the test concept and specifications, through designing test hardware, writing test code, debugging, and verification to the transfer to production sites. It is always very gratifying when the production of a new device starts.

What are the results of your work?

Through my work, I contribute to the development of fully functional gate drivers which are used by large customers in both industrial and home appliance sectors (air conditioners, washing machines, and air dryers, for example) to reduce power consumption, save energy, and move towards a more sustainable world.

What are your job highlights?

It is not a monotonous job at all, because each step of the project requires different tasks – moving from desk work to lab activity, combining hardware and software skills, interfacing with multiple colleagues including concept, design, layout, verification, and product engineers, as well as marketing, project, and quality managers.

I get to deal with colleagues from all over the world (Europe, Asia, the Americas), getting to experience many different realities and cultures. I frequently have the opportunity to travel to meet them and visit their home towns or cities in person, which I enjoy a lot.

What are your biggest challenges?

I think one of the main challenges is keeping the quality of my work high even when working under pressure and tight turnarounds. I’m the last step of the product development cycle and it is my responsibility to stay on schedule to meet the time-to-market deadlines. It can be tough at times, so proper prioritization and good organization of my daily activities are crucial. When the workflow is completed, it is very rewarding.

In addition, each test solution presents particular challenges, as each device is different from the last. The most demanding cases are when I have to devise an approach from scratch to test new features or increment the test coverage. It is stimulating because I have to go deeper into understanding how the device works and there is room for creativity.

What are the failures that you most cherish?

Naturally, the first failures are the ones that leave the most lasting impression – but at the same time, they are the ones from which you can learn the most. For example, the test boards that I design are sometimes very complex, depending on the product, and I sometimes overlook something during the design/layout phase. I learned that the important thing is not to try and do everything alone, but be able to do everything the right way. For this reason, a second set of eyes is essential – reviewing what I have done together with a colleague (who may be even more expert) can help identify errors and correct them before it is too late. In general, being humble and admitting that even I can make mistakes helps me to cooperate with others and improve myself!