Principal Test Engineer, Automotive Semiconductor

The challenge

A new ADAS SoC has 15 billion transistors and requires test times under 3 seconds at wafer probe to meet cost targets. Current test times are 5.2 seconds.

Role overview

Test program development and yield analysis for automotive-grade semiconductors -- the work that determines whether a chip with 15 billion transistors ships with zero-DPPM quality or becomes a field return. ATE platforms, test pattern generation, and the adaptive test strategies that keep test times below cost targets.

Specializations

Technical requirements

• BSEE or MSEE with test engineering focus
• 10+ years in semiconductor test engineering, with 5+ years on automotive-qualified products
• Expert ATE programming skills (Advantest V93000 SmarTest or Teradyne IG-XL)
• Experience with mixed-signal testing: ADC/DAC characterization, SerDes testing, RF measurement
• Understanding of DFT structures: scan chains, BIST, JTAG, and LBIST
• Track record of achieving zero-DPPM quality targets on high-volume automotive products

Key responsibilities

• Develop and optimize ATE test programs for automotive SoCs on Advantest V93000 or Teradyne UltraFlex platforms
• Reduce test times while maintaining zero-DPPM quality targets through test flow optimization
• Develop outlier screening methods and adaptive test strategies for automotive reliability
• Perform yield analysis using wafer maps, Shmoo plots, and statistical binning
• Support new product introduction from design-for-test through production release
• Ensure compliance with AEC-Q100 qualification requirements and IATF 16949 quality standards

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $175,000 - $210,000
• Annual bonus 12-15%
• Pension plan (defined contribution)
• Company car lease program
• Flexible work schedule (core hours 10-3)