Principal Test Engineer

Job Title

Principal Test Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the definition and delivery of production test solutions from concept through mass production and sustaining support for semiconductor products. Own test strategy, ATE test development, test hardware, validation, qualification, production release, and test-cost optimization.

This role partners across Design, Product Engineering, Operations, suppliers and OSATs to drive test readiness and resolve technical risks.

Experience Level

Senior - requires extensive industry experience. The role specifies at least 15 years of relevant semiconductor test engineering experience.

Responsibilities

Accountable for test strategy, ATE implementation, hardware, validation and production release. Key responsibilities include:

• Define production test strategy and manufacturing test flow, including tester selection.
• Own test planning and provide testability input to DFT/DFM and design reviews before tapeout.
• Define detailed ATE implementation plan and develop/review test programs, methods and production patterns.
• Lead test hardware development: loadboards, probe cards, sockets, interface hardware and fixtures.
• Lead first-silicon ATE bring-up, test program debug and sample generation.
• Execute ATE characterization across process, voltage and temperature per the product plan.
• Support qualification and customer sample generation; release qualified test software and hardware into production.
• Drive production ramp readiness reviews and close test-related release risks; support OSAT manufacturing start-up.
• Reduce test time via method optimization, sequencing, multisite efficiency and instrumentation utilization.
• Investigate customer returns and RMAs by reproducing failures and assessing production test coverage; implement corrective actions.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Minimum 15 years of semiconductor test engineering experience across NPI, characterization, qualification, production release and sustaining support.
• Practical experience developing ATE test solutions and semiconductor production test methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with Teradyne J750HD, Advantest V93000 or equivalent ATE platforms.
• Experience developing production test solutions for SoC and MCU products.
• Experience with test hardware development and handler/prober interfaces.
• Strong programming skills for test development and automation.
• Experience driving manufacturing release and ramp at OSATs.
• Experience with data-analysis and yield-management tools such as JMP, PDF Exensio, Python or equivalent.
• Proven technical leadership, cross-functional influence, planning and problem-solving skills.

Education Requirements

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

About the Company

Company: Renesas

Headquarters: Hitachinaka, Japan

Renesas is a global leader in embedded semiconductor solutions, providing high-quality products across automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT sectors. With over 22,000 employees in more than 30 countries, the company focuses on scalable solutions that enhance user experience and drive innovation while committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.