Electrical Schematic/PCB Design Engineer (Semiconductor Test Hardware)
DFW TestJob Title
Electrical Schematic/PCB Design Engineer (Semiconductor Test Hardware)
Role Summary
Design electrical schematics and drive PCB designs for semiconductor test hardware (probe, final-test load boards, interface/fixture boards, handler interfaces, and related assemblies). You will translate customer inputs into reviewed schematic packages and work with PCB layout, mechanical, test, supply chain and contract manufacturers to deliver first-pass success on time-sensitive programs.
This is an onsite role based in Richardson, TX focused on high-density, mixed-signal ATE hardware design and production support.
Experience Level
Mid-level: 3–8+ years of electrical design experience, with at least 2 years specifically in semiconductor test hardware or high-density mixed-signal boards.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include schematic capture, design constraints, and cross-functional delivery of production-ready PCB designs.
- Own schematic capture from ambiguous or mixed customer inputs; clarify requirements and define architecture and parts selection.
- Design for ATE realities: signal integrity, crosstalk, leakage, guarding/guard rings, Kelvin connections, relay/mux topologies, pogo/contactor constraints, ESD, and thermal considerations.
- Partner with PCB layout to enforce rules for high-density, high-pin-count boards: fan-out, length/phase matching, differential pairs, controlled impedance, and reference plane strategy.
- Produce and maintain deliverables: schematics, netlists, BOMs, constraints, design notes, test points, release packages, and ECOs.
- Interface with customers and internal teams for design reviews, DFM/DFT tradeoffs, and risk/mitigation plans.
- Support fab/assembly bring-up, triage build issues, drive corrective actions, and update documentation.
- Improve libraries, checklists, and design standards for ATE hardware.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills, tools, and discipline for PCB-based semiconductor test hardware.
- 3–8+ years in electrical design for PCB products; at least 2 years in semiconductor test hardware or high-density mixed-signal boards.
- Proficiency in schematic capture across CAD tools (Cadence Allegro/Concept HDL, OrCad, Altium Designer) and ability to interpret/adapt across toolchains.
- Strong understanding of signal integrity and power integrity fundamentals: termination, return paths, reference plane stitching, decoupling, controlled impedance, and crosstalk mitigation.
- Experience with mixed-signal, low-leakage/low-noise design, switch/mux/relay trees, level shifting, protection, and EMC/ESD practices.
- Comfortable producing and reviewing BOMs, netlists, and constraints; coordinating part selection with library and CM teams including second sources and lifecycle considerations.
- Ability to convert spreadsheets, legacy drawings, and informal artifacts into clear, reviewable schematics with documented assumptions.
- Strong documentation, version control, and ECO discipline; clear, concise communication with customers and vendors.
Nice-to-have:
- Background with ATE platforms (Advantest, Teradyne) and DUT/socket/contactor constraints.
- Experience with high-current power distribution, RF/coax routing basics, or wide-bandwidth measurement paths.
- Familiarity with DFM/DFT for probe and final test: stacking height, planarity, warpage, fiducials, and test access.
- Experience with constraint-driven flows and SI/PI simulation tools (Sigrity, HyperLynx).
- Scripting/automation for CAD (Altium scripts, SKILL, Python) and PLM/ERP integration.
- Experience collaborating with overseas layout partners or contract manufacturers.
Education Requirements
Not specified.
About the Company
Company: DFW Test
Headquarters: Richardson, TX, United States
Engineering firm that designs and delivers semiconductor test hardware and high‑density PCB assemblies—probe and final‑test load boards, interface/fixture boards, handler interfaces and related assemblies—supporting ATE platforms and manufacturing bring‑up.
