Principal NPI Test Engineer

Job Title

Principal NPI Test Engineer

Role Summary

Lead test architecture, methodology and NPI test solutions for complex mixed-signal and high-speed SiGe products. The role sits within Global Test Engineering and partners with IC design, product engineering, manufacturing partners and customers to ensure test coverage, manufacturability and production readiness.

Experience Level

Senior — typically requires 12+ years of semiconductor test engineering experience with at least 8 years focused on mixed-signal/RF test development.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership for test strategy, NPI readiness and production transfer across mixed-signal high-speed products.

• Architect and define test strategies from concept through production maturity for mixed-signal SiGe products.
• Lead development of test methodologies for high-speed SerDes, CDRs and signal conditioning devices.
• Drive DFT and testability requirements into IC architecture and establish company-wide standards.
• Develop advanced test techniques for products operating at very high data rates (including >200Gbps targets).
• Create reusable test IP, libraries and frameworks to accelerate NPI across product families.
• Act as test engineering authority in architecture reviews, gate meetings and test readiness reviews.
• Partner with design and product teams on characterization, correlation and manufacturability issues.
• Ensure seamless transfer of test solutions to high-volume OSATs and monitor first-pass yield and KPIs.
• Lead continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives to shorten NPI cycle time and reduce test cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and maintain comprehensive test documentation and training materials.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, experience and leadership capabilities.

• 12+ years progressive semiconductor test engineering experience; demonstrated NPI leadership for high-speed communication ICs.
• 8+ years specifically in mixed-signal/RF test development.
• Expert-level experience with Advantest V93000 (SmarTest 7/8) platforms.
• Advanced programming skills in C/C++, Python and TCL for test program development and automation.
• Deep knowledge of high-speed signal integrity, jitter analysis and BER testing methodologies.
• Strong expertise in analog/mixed-signal DFT techniques (BIST, scan, boundary-scan).
• RF/microwave test capability at frequencies beyond 40 GHz.
• Experience with statistical process control and quality methodologies for production test.
• Familiarity with PCB design tools (Cadence, Altium) and signal-integrity simulation workflows.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams, present to senior leadership and manage vendor relationships.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with SiGe BiCMOS process test challenges.
• Knowledge of automotive quality standards (AEC-Q100) and qualification flows.
• Familiarity with 93000 PS1600/PS3600 digital channels, Wave Scale RF and advanced ATE features.
• Experience with wafer-level testing, probe card design and high-volume OSAT transfers.
• Experience applying test data analytics or machine learning for yield and test optimization.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering field is required. A Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline is 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.