FPGA Failure Analysis Technician

Altera Corporation; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 78,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Altera Corporation seeks an FPGA Failure Analysis Technician in Penang to carry out FA activities on FPGA device returns from internal or external customers. You will work with QA, reliability, and engineering teams to identify root causes and implement preventive measures.

The role involves hands-on testing, data collection, and report preparation, with potential OT. Strong communication and documentation skills are essential for cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Electrical/Electronics or related semiconductor tech with 5+ years FA experience.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor fundamentals, electrical characterization, and PCB-level testing.
• Ability to document findings with minimal supervision and communicate results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Perform device testing, debugging, reballing, IV tracing, TDR measurement and FA prep.
• Manage FA cases end-to-end including data collection and report prep.
• Coordinate with vendors for tools, parts, and maintenance; ensure lab uptime.
• Plan daily lab tasks with FA engineers and managers.
• OT may be required.

Skills

Failure analysis

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Verbal and written communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Technical Diploma in Electrical/Electronics/Semiconductor Technology

Tools

ATE platforms

IV curve tracer

TDR measurement equipment

Job description

About Altera

Altera is a leading FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) company that delivers programmable hardware, software, and development tools to drive innovation from cloud to edge. With over four decades of experience in programmable logic, our broad portfolio includes FPGAs, CPLDs, IP, SmartNICs, IPUs, and System on Modules—supported by industry-leading tools like the Quartus development suite. Recently re-established as an independent business, Altera is focused on accelerating programmable compute in AI, networking, communications, industrial, automotive, aerospace/military, and edge-computing domains. Our mission is to provide leadership programmable solutions that are easy to design and deploy, and our vision is to pioneer innovation that unlocks extraordinary possibilities.

About the Role

We are seeking for an FPGA Failure Analysis Technician who will be responsible for carrying out all technical FA activities in support of FPGA device returns from internal or external customers. You will partner across the Altera FPGA Failure Analysis teams in Product Quality Engineering, and work closely with Product Engineers, Reliability Engineers, Supplier Quality Engineers, Customer Quality Engineers, Lab Technicians, and Applications Engineers to identify issue root causes, preventive and corrective measures to improve product quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports hands-on technical work include (not limited to) perform device testing on tester/bench, carry out debug experiments, reball machine operation, IV curve tracing, TDR measurement, FA preliminary preparation, and tool troubleshooting.
• Handles Failure Analysis (FA) case activities end-to-end, including data collection and assisting in report preparation.
• Manages vendor communication for tool issues, parts, and maintenance coordination, reducing downtime and engineer workload.
• Owns daily operations tasks planning in alignment with FA engineers/manager, preventive maintenance planning and ensures lab equipment reliability and uptime.
• Extra-Hours (OT) support may be part of the job as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Technical Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Semiconductor Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in semiconductor, FPGA, or IC-level electrical failure analysis.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device fundamentals, electrical characterization, and component-level testing techniques.
• Ability to perform failure analysis investigations, collect data, troubleshoot issues, and document findings with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a systematic approach to root cause investigation.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional teams.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and present findings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting failure analysis activities for FPGA, SoC, or advanced semiconductor products, preferably Altera FPGA devices.
• Hands-on experience with ATE platforms and debug environments, including ATS07, ATS06, CMT, HDMT, UFP, and bench-level testing.
• Proven hands-on experience operating laboratory equipment such as chip testers, IV curve tracers, C-SAM, TDR, and other diagnostic tools.
• Familiarity with electrical fault isolation techniques, and correlation between electrical and physical findings.
• Experience in laboratory equipment/tester setup, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing and product qualification test methodologies.
• Experience working in a fast-paced product development, validation, or quality engineering environment.

Job Details

• Job Type: Regular
• Shift: Shift 1 (Malaysia)
• Primary Location: Penang 15, Penang, Malaysia

Posting Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

About Altera (continued)

About Altera Altera: Accelerating Innovators Altera provides leadership programmable solutions that are easy-to-use and deploy in applications from cloud to edge, offering limitless AI possibilities. Our end-to-end broad portfolio of products including FPGAs, CPLDs, Intellectual Property, development tools, System on Modules, SmartNICs and IPUs provide the flexibility to accelerate innovation. Altera is helping to shape the future through pioneering innovation that unlocks extraordinary possibilities for everyone on the planet.