Principal Engineer, Test Engineering

Location:  San Diego, CA - Hybrid (4 days in office, Friday remote)

Our Team:

Semtech's Global Test Engineering team is a world-class organization of innovative engineers who enable the success of our entire semiconductor portfolio through cutting-edge test solutions and methodologies. We are the technical backbone that ensures every Semtech product meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance. Our team spans multiple sites globally and serves as the center of excellence for test innovation, working closely with all business units to deliver breakthrough test capabilities. We specialize in mixed-signal, high-speed digital, and RF test development. Our engineers drive competitive advantage through innovative test architectures, methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives that directly impact Semtech's bottom line.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Principal Test Engineer to serve as the technical authority and strategic leader for new product introduction test development in our mixed-signal product portfolio. This role demands a proven innovator who can architect comprehensive test solutions spanning from early silicon validation through high-volume production. The ideal candidate will drive testability standards across the organization, lead complex multi-disciplinary projects, and deliver breakthrough test methodologies that enable next-generation test solutions supporting sensing products for wearables, cell phones, as well as industrial and automotive.

Primary responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Architect and define test strategies for complex mixed-signal products from concept through production maturity

• Lead development of innovative test methodologies sensing products

• Drive DFT/testability requirements into IC architecture, establishing company-wide standards and best practices

• Develop and implement advanced test techniques for sensing products

• Create reusable test IP, libraries, and frameworks that accelerate NPI cycles across product families

• Perform technical risk assessment and mitigation strategies for test coverage and quality

Cross-functional NPI Support

• Serve as test engineering authority in product architecture reviews and gate meetings

• Partner with IC design teams from concept phase to ensure optimal test coverage and manufacturability

• Lead test readiness reviews with stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations

• Collaborate with Product Engineering to define characterization strategies and correlation methodologies

• Interface with customer quality teams on test specifications and coverage requirements

• Architect and launch test solutions that achieve test time targets for complex mixed-signal devices

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce NPI cycle time by 10-20%

Innovation & Technology Development

• Research and implement next-generation ATE capabilities and measurement techniques

• Develop proprietary test methods that provide competitive advantage in cost and quality

• Lead evaluation and adoption of new test platforms, instrumentation, and methodologies

• Pioneer implementation of AI/ML techniques for yield enhancement and test optimization

• Establish Semtech as industry leader in mixed-signal test innovation

Production Excellence & Scale

• Ensure seamless transfer of test solutions to high-volume OSATs with >99% first-pass success

• Drive test cost reduction initiatives delivering year-over-year improvements

• Establish and monitor KPIs for test effectiveness, efficiency, and quality

Mentorship & Knowledge Management

• Mentor junior engineers, developing next generation of test leaders

• Create and maintain comprehensive test methodology documentation and training materials

• Build strategic relationships with test partners to influence platform development

• Foster culture of innovation and continuous learning within test organization

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

• 12+ years of progressive experience in semiconductor test engineering

• 8+ years specifically in mixed-signal test development

• Proven track record leading NPI programs for high-speed communication ICs

Technical Expertise:

• Ex