Principal Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineering
Analog DevicesJob Title
Principal Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineering
Role Summary
Lead failure analysis for semiconductor products by planning and executing investigations from reliability testing, manufacturing, and field returns. Work with design, manufacturing, test, and quality teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to improve product reliability.
Perform hands-on physical and electrical analysis, manage external lab engagements, and deliver clear technical reports to internal and external stakeholders.
Experience Level
Senior-level. Minimum 5 years industry experience in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis; experience leading investigations and coordinating with external labs preferred.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include root-cause analysis, testing, and cross-functional coordination.
- Plan and execute failure analysis investigations arising from reliability testing, manufacturing, and field returns.
- Conduct hands-on physical and electrical FA using SEM, EDS, CSAM, X-ray, and bench characterization tools.
- Perform material and defect characterization to identify failure modes in semiconductors, packages, and assemblies.
- Execute qualification and reliability stress testing (e.g., HTOL, TC, HAST) and interpret results.
- Prepare clear, technically sound FA and qualification reports for internal teams and customers.
- Coordinate with design, manufacturing, test, and quality to drive corrective and preventive actions; generate 8D reports when required.
- Manage relationships and projects with external FA and reliability labs.
- Support customer communications for quality issues and contribute to lab capability and process improvements.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills, tools, and experience; preferred items listed separately.
- 5+ years industry experience in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis.
- Hands-on experience with material analysis (SEM, EDS, optical profiler) and electrical testing (oscilloscopes, curve tracers, thermal imaging).
- Experience with fault isolation techniques such as photon emission, OBIRCH, X-ray, CSAM.
- Understanding of semiconductor device physics, packaging technologies, and common failure mechanisms.
- Familiarity with JEDEC reliability standards and procedures.
- Project management experience coordinating external labs and handling multiple projects.
- Strong statistical/data analysis skills (JMP, Python, or similar).
- Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills for reporting and cross-functional collaboration.
- Willingness to travel approximately 10%.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related STEM discipline required. Preferred: Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science.
About the Company
Company: Analog Devices
Headquarters: Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Analog Devices is a leading global semiconductor company that bridges the physical and digital worlds, enabling breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. With a focus on innovation, ADI develops solutions that drive advancements in digitized factories, mobility, and digital healthcare. The company employs around 24,000 people globally and reported revenues exceeding $9 billion in FY24, creating technologies that transform lives across various sectors.
