ATE Hardware Design - Principal Engineer

Job Title

ATE Hardware Design - Principal Engineer

Role Summary

Lead end-to-end design, development, integration, and validation of ATE test hardware for wafer sort and final test. This senior technical role provides hands-on design work and cross-functional leadership to deliver production-ready test solutions that support new-product introduction and high-volume manufacturing.

Work with global product, test, operations, quality, procurement teams and external suppliers to ensure technical alignment, manufacturability, and supplier capability.

Experience Level

Senior - requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant ATE test hardware design and development experience in the semiconductor industry.

Responsibilities

Accountable for technical ownership and delivery of ATE test hardware from concept through production support.

• Own the ATE test hardware lifecycle: requirements, architecture, design, verification, validation, release, and production support.
• Design and review load boards, probe cards, sockets, and related test interfaces for wafer sort and final test applications.
• Lead schematic, PCB stack-up, component placement, routing and design reviews with emphasis on signal integrity, power integrity, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Perform or guide SI/PI analysis, simulations, hardware bring-up, debugging, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Partner with test engineering, product engineering, operations, quality, procurement, and manufacturers to meet technical, cost and schedule targets.
• Define and improve test hardware design methodologies, validation strategies, and reusable best practices across projects and sites.
• Coordinate multiple hardware initiatives, manage technical risks and priorities, and support supplier lifecycle planning.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and supplier development to improve capability, quality and responsiveness.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience.

• Deep practical knowledge of hardware development: design, verification, validation, release, and production support.
• Hands-on experience with major ATE platforms (e.g., Advantest V93000/EXA Scale, Teradyne J750/UltraFLEX/UltraFLEXplus) or comparable systems.
• Expertise in high-speed digital design, signal integrity, power delivery and power integrity, and complex multilayer PCB design.
• Advanced PCB layout practices, stack-up definition, SI/PI analysis, DFM, and hardware validation experience.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor back-end assembly and test operations, wafer sort and final test flows, and tester-resource interactions.
• Proficiency with electronic design and simulation tools such as Cadence Allegro, Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, or equivalent.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex electrical and hardware issues using structured, data-driven problem solving.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and managing external suppliers to balance performance, quality, cost, risk and schedule.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and ability to influence global, multicultural teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with digital, mixed-signal, RF, or power-management semiconductor products.
• Experience developing technical roadmaps, design automation, reusable design checks, or standardized hardware methodologies.
• Established relationships with PCB, probe-card, socket, and test hardware suppliers.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.