Director of Software Engineering

RecruitAbility Ltd; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus paid twice ayr

Job summary

RecruitAbility Ltd. seeks a Director of Software Engineering for semiconductor test systems in Lake Forest, CA. You will guide a multi-location team, drive a major platform upgrade, and ensure seamless software integration with testers, handlers, and firmware.

This hands-on leadership role requires 15+ years in software with hardware experience, strong .NET/C#, and a delivery-focused mindset. Onsite work five days weekly is expected in Lake Forest, CA.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of software engineering with a hardware background.
• Director/Senior Manager level leadership of multi-layered teams.
• Hands-on with .NET/C# and platform modernization.
• Strong delivery focus with milestone planning and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with executives.
• Willingness to work onsite five days a week in Lake Forest, CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the next-generation software platform upgrade from planning through production deployment across the organization.
• Direct software integration across testers, handlers, thermal systems, PLCs, and firmware for high-volume chip testing.
• Stay hands-on in debugging, architecture, and problem-solving, setting technical standards for the team.
• Lead and develop a ~40-engineer Lake Forest group plus global teams.
• Translate engineering strategy into clear plans, milestones, and delivery schedules.
• Define data capture, tracking, and usage of production/test data across the company.
• Coordinate with Product Management, Hardware, Firmware, QA, Production, and Support for aligned releases.
• Provide progress updates, risks, and readiness reviews to senior leadership and customers.
• Drive innovation and AI-assisted development and testing to improve processes.

Skills

.NET/C#

Engineering management

Microsoft stack

Hardware background

Delivery focused

Executive communication

Tools

GEM/SECS

Job description

Director, Software Engineering – Semiconductor Test Systems

Lake Forest, CA | Onsite

Our client, a global leader in semiconductor test hardware and solutions, is seeking a highly technical Director of Software Engineering to lead its Hardware System Integration, Handler, and Test Engineering software teams. In this role, you will drive precise, pragmatic execution across a fast-moving, 24/7 operation, guiding a talented engineering organization through a major software platform upgrade as the company expands its U.S. and global footprint. The ideal candidate blends hands-on software and hardware depth with proven experience managing multi-layered engineering teams.

What YOU get to DO at this growing company:

• Lead execution of the company’s next-generation software platform upgrade, a major shift across its software ecosystem, from planning through production deployment.
• Direct software integration across testers, handlers, thermal systems, PLCs, and firmware that supports high-volume chip testing and material handling.
• Stay hands‑on in debugging, architecture, and complex technical problem‑solving, setting the technical bar for the team.
• Lead and develop a team of about 40 engineers in Lake Forest, plus global teams across additional locations, including managers, technical leads, and subject matter experts.
• Turn engineering strategy into clear plans, milestones, and delivery schedules, and hold teams accountable to commitments.
• Define how production and test data is captured, tracked, and used across the organization.
• Bring engineering and test teams together so they work efficiently toward shared goals.
• Partner with Product Management, Hardware, Firmware, QA, Production, and Support to keep releases and priorities aligned.
• Keep senior leadership continuously informed on progress, risks, and issues, and present technical and readiness reviews to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Drive innovation, process improvement, and the adoption of AI‑assisted development and testing.

What you NEED to SUCCEED in this challenging role:

• 15+ years of software engineering experience with a strong software focus and an adjacent hardware background, and a solid understanding of material handling or complex hardware/software systems.
• Engineering management experience leading multi‑layered teams (managers and supervisors), at the Director or Senior Manager level.
• Hands‑on experience with the Microsoft technology stack, with .NET/C# as the core framework, including platform migration or modernization.
• Highly technical, with a pragmatic, execution‑first mindset and a focus on precise delivery ahead of long‑range strategy.
• Strong command of schedules, dependencies, and delivery, and the ability to give a large team clear direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to keep executives informed and engaged.
• Comfortable moving quickly in a high‑growth environment.
• Willingness to work onsite five days a week in Lake Forest, CA.

Preferred: semiconductor equipment‑control software, GEM/SECS, handlers, burn‑in or ATE systems, and experience leading teams across the U.S. and international locations.

What’s in it for you at this industry‑leading company?

• A leadership opportunity at a pivotal moment, with a strong bench of top‑tier technical talent already in place.
• Real ownership of a high‑visibility platform transition that shapes the company’s future.
• A performance‑based path for advancement, with a company that promotes quickly.
• Work in a fast‑paced, innovative culture at the center of the semiconductor value chain.
• Enjoy a performance‑based bonus paid twice yearly