I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Linear Technology (Milpitas, CA) in May 2014
Interview
Several phone calls including technical and non-technical interviews. Need to solve some paper-based questions. No HR interview. The last one is on-site full-day technical interview. The offer was given on the same day of the on-site interview,
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
All kinds of questions related to transistor level, system level, device physics, and lab tool usage.
I applied through other source. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Linear Technology (Milpitas, CA) in Mar 2012
Interview
If you want to be a design engineer at Linear, besides knowing circuit fundamentals (R's, C's, L's) you really have to know your transistors. Current mirrors, current sources, diff pairs, cascoding, matching, op-amps, etc. You should also know control systems, noise gain, miller effect, etc. Last but not least, a knowledge of device structure, physics, and non-idealities is necessary. Some companies pride themselves in being able to train monkeys to be design engineers, but Linear only accepts the very best.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
For an op-amp with 1kOhm output impedance and 1MHz GBP (1st order gain rolloff), operated as a follower and driving a capacitive load, what value of capacitance will bring the phase margin to 45 degrees?
The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Linear Technology (Milpitas, CA) in Mar 2009
Interview
Coordination of the interview was professional. Interview consisted of 7-8 1-on-1 interviews at remote site and 7-8 1-on-1 interviews at HQ. Interviewers were very thorough: one of them had 3-4 pages of printed questions for me to go through with little help. If you know your fundamentals, you'll do well.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Discuss the benefits cascode devices have on PSRR performance.