Principal Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineering

1010 Analog Devices Inc.; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401k

Paid time off

Job summary

Analog Devices, Inc. in Milpitas, CA is seeking an experienced Reliability/Failure Analysis engineer to lead root cause investigations and develop FA plans, collaborating with design, manufacturing and QA teams.

The role includes performing FA using FA tools (SEM, EDS, CSAM, X-ray), characterizing materials, and generating 8D reports. A strong background in semiconductor reliability, JEDEC, and data analysis is required; travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5+ years in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis.
• Hands-on failure analysis: SEM, EDS, optical profiler.
• Electrical testing: oscilloscopes, curve tracers, thermal imaging.
• Fault isolation: photon emission, OBIRCH, X-ray, CSAM.
• Strong writing and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with data analysis tools (Python, JMP).
• Knowledge of JEDEC reliability standards.

Responsibilities

• Support root cause failure investigations arising from reliability testing, manufacturing, and field returns.
• Develop and execute detailed failure analysis plans.
• Coordinate / conduct hands-on FA using tools in-house and at outside labs (SEM, EDS, CSAM, X-ray).
• Perform material and defect characterization to identify failure modes.
• Prepare clear and technically sound FA reports for stakeholders.
• Execute product qualification and reliability stress testing (HTOL, TC, HAST).
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and quality to resolve failures.
• Support CAPA based on FA findings.
• Generate 8D corrective action reports.
• Assist with customer communications to resolve quality issues.
• Contribute to lab capability development and reliability improvements.

Skills

Statistical data analysis

FA techniques

Python

JMP

Cross-functional teamwork

Technical writing

Verbal communication

Project management

Root cause analysis

Electrical testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related STEM

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science

Tools

JMP

Python

Excel

Job description

About Analog Devices Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support root cause failure investigations arising from reliability testing, manufacturing, and field returns.
• Develop and execute detailed failure analysis plans.
• Coordinate / conduct hands-on physical and electrical failure analysis (FA) using a variety of tools in-house and at outside labs (e.g., SEM, EDS, CSAM, X-ray, bench characterization).
• Perform material and defect characterization to identify failure modes in semiconductors, packages, and assemblies.
• Prepare clear and technically sound failure analysis reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Execute product qualification and reliability stress testing on semiconductor products (e.g., HTOL, TC, HAST).
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and quality engineering teams to ensure robust failure resolution.
• Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) based on FA findings.
• Generate 8D corrective action reports.
• Assist with customer communications to resolve quality issues and provide technical insights.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in product reliability, analysis methodologies, and lab capability development.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related STEM discipline.
• 5 years of industry experience in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis.
• Hands-on experience with FA techniques such as: Material analysis: SEM, EDS, optical profiler.
• Electrical testing: Oscilloscopes, curve tracers, thermal imaging.
• Fault isolation: Photon emission, OBIRCH, X-ray, CSAM.
• Understanding of semiconductor device physics, packaging technologies, and common failure mechanisms (physics of failure).
• Experience analyzing failures caused by thermal, electrical, and mechanical stress.
• Familiar with JEDEC reliability standards and procedures.
• Project management experience with external reliability and FA labs.
• Strong statistical data analysis capability.
• Experience with data analysis packages (JMP, Python, etc.).
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to create detailed FA documentation, reliability reports, and qualification reports.
• Good verbal communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, with the ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph. D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science.
• Experience with power and/or analog/mixed-signal ICs, or power IC failure modes.
• Experience with SiP architecture Reliability/FA and packaging failure mechanisms (e.g., electromigration, delamination).
• Experience supporting customer quality investigations and field return analysis.
• Prior reliability test and FA engagements with OSAT suppliers a plus.
• Exposure to reliability modeling and risk assessment methods such as FMEA, DOE, and Weibull analysis.
• HTOL and HAST board layout and schematic interpretation.

For positions requiring access to technical data, Analog Devices, Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position - except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) - may have to go through an export licensing review process.

Analog Devices is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, union membership, and political affiliation, or any other legally protected group. EEO is the Law: Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.

Job Req Type: Experienced Required Travel: Yes, 10% of the time Shift Type: 1st Shift/Days The expected wage range for a new hire into this position is $160,276 to $232,087. Actual wage offered may vary depending on work location, experience, education, training, external market data, internal pay equity, or other bona fide factors. This position qualifies for a discretionary performance-based bonus which is based on personal and company factors. This position includes medical, vision and dental coverage, 401k, paid vacation, holidays, and sick time, and other benefits.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.

Come join ADI - a place where Innovation meets Impact. For more than 55 years, Analog Devices has been inventing new breakthrough technologies that transform lives. At ADI you will work alongside the brightest minds to collaborate on solving complex problems that matter from autonomous vehicles, drones and factories to augmented reality and remote healthcare. ADI fosters a culture that focuses on employees through beneficial programs, aligned goals, continuous learning opportunities, and practices that create a more sustainable future.