Principal Engineer, Test Engineering

Job Summary

Our Team Semtech's Global Test Engineering team is a world-class organization of innovative engineers who enable the success of our entire semiconductor portfolio through cutting-edge test solutions and methodologies. We are the technical backbone that ensures every Semtech product meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance. Our team spans multiple sites globally and serves as the center of excellence for test innovation, working closely with all business units to deliver breakthrough test capabilities. We specialize in mixed-signal, high-speed digital, and RF test development. Our engineers drive competitive advantage through innovative test architectures, methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives that directly impact Semtech's bottom line.

Primary Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Architect and define test strategies for complex mixed-signal products from concept through production maturity

• Lead development of innovative test methodologies for sensing products

• Drive DFT/testability requirements into IC architecture, establishing company-wide standards and best practices

• Create and implement advanced test techniques for sensing products

• Create reusable test IP, libraries, and frameworks that accelerate NPI cycles across product families

• Perform technical risk assessment and mitigation strategies for test coverage and quality

• Cross-functional NPI Support

• Serve as test engineering authority in product architecture reviews and gate meetings

• Partner with IC design teams from concept phase to ensure optimal test coverage and manufacturability

• Lead test readiness reviews with stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations

• Collaborate with Product Engineering to define characterization strategies and correlation methodologies

• Interface with customer quality teams on test specifications and coverage requirements

• Architect and launch test solutions that achieve test time targets for complex mixed-signal devices

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce NPI cycle time by 10-20%

• Innovation & Technology Development

• Research and implement next-generation ATE capabilities and measurement techniques

• Lead evaluation and adoption of new test platforms, instrumentation, and methodologies

• Pioneer implementation of AI/ML techniques for yield enhancement and test optimization

• Establish Semtech as industry leader in mixed-signal test innovation

• Production Excellence & Scale

• Ensure seamless transfer of test solutions to high-volume OSATs with >99% first-pass success

• Drive test cost reduction initiatives delivering year-over-year improvements

• Establish and monitor KPIs for test effectiveness, efficiency, and quality

• Mentorship & Knowledge Management

• Mentor junior engineers, developing next generation of test leaders

• Create and maintain comprehensive test methodology documentation and training materials

• Foster culture of innovation and continuous learning within test organization

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

• 12+ years of progressive experience in semiconductor test engineering

• 8+ years specifically in mixed-signal test development

• Technical Expertise:

• Expert-level proficiency with Advantest V93000 platform (SmarTest 7/8)

• Advanced programming skills in C/C++, Python, and TCL

• Deep understanding of high-speed signal integrity, jitter analysis, and BER testing

• Expertise in analog/mixed-signal DFT techniques (BIST, scan, boundary scan)

• Strong foundation in statistical process control and quality methodologies

• Experience with PCB design tools (Cadence, Altium) and signal integrity simulation

• Leadership & Business Acumen:

• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority across organizations

• Track record of delivering complex projects on aggressive schedules

• Strong presentation skills to executive leadership and customers

• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic vendor relationships

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in relevant engineering discipline

• 15+ years in semiconductor test

• Experience with SiGe BiCMOS process technology and its test challenges

• Knowledge of automotive quality standards (AEC-Q100) and qualification flows

• Familiarity with 93000 PS1600/PS3600 digital channels and Wave Scale RF

• Experience with wafer-level testing and probe card design

• Experience with test data analytics and machine learning applications

Unique Differentiators

• Serves as company-wide test architecture authority for mixed-signal products

• Builds test capabilities that enable entry into new markets and applications

• Establishes Semtech's reputation as test innovation leader in high-speed communications