Principal NPI Product Engineer
SemtechJob Title
Principal NPI Product Engineer
Role Summary
The Principal NPI Product Engineer owns new product introduction programs from early silicon through full production transfer for high-performance optical and analog/mixed-signal ICs. This role coordinates cross-functional activity across design, test, validation, characterization, quality, and operations to ensure product conformance, manufacturability, and successful ramp to volume.
Experience Level
Senior-level — requires 10+ years of experience in semiconductor product, test, or design engineering.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include technical leadership of NPI programs, test and characterization development, yield optimization, and manufacturing quality activities.
- Drive NPI programs from concept through product release and transfer to full-volume manufacturing; lead milestone reviews and program logistics.
- Define and enforce DfT and DfM requirements; develop, verify, and optimize ATE test programs with test engineering.
- Develop and execute wafer-level and bench characterization plans across PVT; perform ATE-to-bench correlation and statistical limit setting for production tests.
- Lead data analysis, DOE planning, yield modeling, and targeted yield improvement actions.
- Oversee failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and CAPA activities for field returns and RMAs.
- Collaborate with foundry, packaging, and OSAT partners to resolve fabrication, packaging, die sort, and test issues.
- Prepare NPI release deliverables and manufacturing documentation for OSATs and production partners.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience, followed by preferred qualifications.
- 10+ years of semiconductor product engineering, test engineering, or design engineering experience.
- Proven ownership of silicon bring-up, characterization, and production transfer programs.
- Hands-on experience with ATE test development, ATE-to-bench correlation, and production test limit setting.
- Strong foundation in Design for Testability (DfT) and Design for Manufacturability (DfM) principles.
- Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Excel) and scripting/automation (Python, TCL, or equivalent).
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.
- Preferred: Analog/mixed-signal or optical IC characterization experience (TIA, CDR, LimitAmp, high-speed SerDes).
- Familiarity with high-speed ATE platforms such as Advantest or Teradyne.
- Experience with JEDEC reliability qualification methodologies (HTOL, HAST, ESD, latch-up).
- Exposure to ATPG, MBIST, or boundary-scan DfT flows.
- Experience working directly with foundry and OSAT partners.
Education Requirements
BS in Electrical Engineering or a related field required; MS strongly preferred.
About the Company
Company: Semtech
Headquarters: Camarillo, California, USA
Semtech Corporation is a high-performance semiconductor company providing IoT systems and Cloud connectivity solutions. The company focuses on delivering innovative technology solutions that support a smarter, more connected, and sustainable planet, with a dedication to quality across infrastructure, industrial, and consumer markets.
