Valve developing "input, output, and platform hardware"

A job posting for an electronics engineer has confirmed Valve is making a significant foray into the world of hardware design and manufacture.

The recruiting page calls for an electronics engineer to join Valve's research and development team and is quite specific about the hardware side of things.

"We’re developing hardware to enhance those experiences, and you can be a key part of making that happen. Join our highly motivated team that’s doing hardware design, prototyping, testing, and production across a wide range of platforms," it reads.

"We’re not talking about me-too mice and gamepads here – help us invent whole new gaming experiences."

Although several of the requirements suggest Valve is pursuing a line of peripherals, the successful candidate will help "conceive, design, evaluate, and produce new types of input, output, and platform hardware".

See the full text of the ad below.

Earlier this year, rumours broke that Valve was developing some kind of set top console or micro PC system called a Steam Box.

Internet sleuths uncovered what was believed to be a prototype of the hardware, as well as a patent for a controller matching the rumoured system.

At the time, Valve denied any significant hardware plans, but Gabe Newell had said that if the company felt it needed to sell hardware, it would do it.

For years, Valve has been all about writing software that provides great gameplay experiences. Now we’re developing hardware to enhance those experiences, and you can be a key part of making that happen. Join our highly motivated team that’s doing hardware design, prototyping, testing, and production across a wide range of platforms. We’re not talking about me-too mice and gamepads here – help us invent whole new gaming experiences.

Duties:
• Work with the hardware team to conceive, design, evaluate, and produce new types of input, output, and platform hardware

Requirements:
• Hands on prototyping experience
• Lab and measurement skills
• System level design experience
• Knowledge of embedded systems/microcontrollers
• Experience with high speed serial interfaces
• Experience with schematic entry
• Experience with circuit simulation
• Four years relevant experience

Recommended:
• Board layout (analog and high speed digital)
• Hardware Definition Languages (HDL) for FPGA and chip design
• Power supply management
• Thermal management
• Design for test
• Low frequency analog
• RF and antennas
• Signal integrity analysis
• DSP
• ARM / X86 system design
• Manufacturing pilot runs
• Failure analysis
• FCC/CE/UL certification

Thanks, Engagdget.