Principal Software Engineer

Advantest Corporation; Lake Forest, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global Bonus Program

401(k) Plan

Medical, Dental & Vision

Income Protection

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Advantest America Inc. in Lake Forest, CA is seeking a hands-on Principal Software Engineer to own software architecture, design, coding, and integration across SLT, Burn-In and HPC test platforms in collaboration with testers, firmware, and instrumentation.

You will develop cross‑platform applications using C#, .NET, Python, Blazor and xUnit; build distributed services with Pulsar and PostgreSQL; and guide junior engineers while serving customers onsite.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of software engineering with hands-on technical leadership.
• Strong expertise in C#/.NET, distributed systems, multithreading, and APIs.
• Experience integrating software with hardware, firmware or test systems.
• Led architecture through implementation, integration and production deployment.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and develop software for SLT, Burn-In, and HPC test platforms.
• Drive test-driven development in hardware-centric environments with strong testing.
• Remain ~70% hands-on in coding, integration, and design.
• Develop cross-platform apps, SDKs, drivers, APIs, and test workflows.
• Implement secure on-prem services and integrate with test hardware and systems.
• Mentor engineers and lead code reviews while remaining hands-on.

Skills

C#/.NET

Distributed systems

Multithreading

APIs

Debugging

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

ASP.NET

Python

Blazor

xUnit

Job description

Advantest America Inc. is part of Advantest Corporation, the world’s largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. The company designs and manufactures cutting-edge testing solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of their products. Advantest is known for innovation, reliability, and a strong commitment to supporting its customers and employees.

Our Purpose & Values:

Mission: Improve lives through advanced technologies and customer-focused innovation.

Vision: Be the most trusted and valued test solution provider in the semiconductor value chain.

Core Values:

I- Innovation is our Lifeblood

N- Number One is Our Aspiration

T- Trust is our Foundation

E- Empowerment is Our Motivation

G- Global is our Reach

R- Respect is our Heart

I - Inclusion and Diversity is Our Commitment

T- Teamwork is our Approach

Y- Yes is Our Attitude

Why Join Us

At Advantest, innovation starts with people. We’re looking for curious, capable, and collaborative individuals ready to shape the future of semiconductor technology. You’ll join a global team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

We foster an integrity-centered culture, where honesty, inclusion, and respect are the foundation of everything we do.

Job Description

Principal Software Engineer

Position Overview

Hands-on Principal Software Engineer responsible for software architecture, design, coding, system integration, and debugging across SLT, Burn-In, and HPC Semiconductor test platforms. The role works directly across semiconductor testers, automated handlers, software drivers, firmware, instrumentation, thermal systems, test programs, and distributed software platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and develop software for SLT, Burn-In, and HPC test platforms, test orchestration, equipment integration, messaging, and data services.
• Drives test driven development in Hardware-Centric Environments with high focus on unit and integration tests
• Remain approximately 70% hands-on in coding, integration, testing, debugging, and technical design.
• Develop cross-platform applications, SDKs, drivers, APIs, test programs, and equipment-control software using C#, .NET 10+, ASP.NET10+, Python, Blazor, and xUnit.
• Develop distributed messaging, telemetry, data pipelines, and orchestration using Apache Pulsar and PostgreSQL.
• Implement secure on-premises platform services using OIDC/OAuth 2.0 and related identity technologies.
• Integrate software with test hardware, firmware, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and instrumentation systems.
• Develop and integrate ActivATE/ActivATE360, device/instrumentation drivers, and test execution workflows.
• Implement SCAN, pattern execution, and vector-conversion workflows.
• Debug system-level issues across software, communications, firmware, hardware, and DUT execution.
• Work directly with customers and global engineering teams during integration and deployment.
• Gather requirements from customers, internal departments, and cross-BU partners; communicate tradeoffs and deliver solutions from design through production.
• Design for reliable execution, test-data integrity, fault recovery, and compatibility across independently evolving components.
• Mentor engineers and lead design/code reviews while remaining hands-on.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of software engineering experience with strong hands-on technical leadership.
• Deep expertise in C#/.NET, distributed systems, multithreading, asynchronous programming, APIs, and debugging.
• Experience integrating software with physical equipment, firmware, drivers, or semiconductor/industrial test systems.
• Experience owning architecture through implementation, integration, and production deployment.
• Strong Knowledge of TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, and gRPC.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Must be willing to work onsite at our Lake Forest, CA office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SLT, Burn-In, ATE, HPC, ActivATE/ActivATE360, or Advantest 93000.
• Experience with digital tests, test programs, device drivers, instrumentation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience delivering cross-platform and on-premises software in semiconductor production environments.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work in an on-prem and on-site setup (No Hybrid) in Lake Forest, CA.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Benefits Overview

• Global Bonus Program: Performance-based bonuses paid twice yearly.
• 401(k) Plan: Pre-tax retirement savings with company match.
• Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple plan options including HMO, PPO, and HSA.
• Income Protection: Life, disability, and accident insurance at no cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care options.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free support for personal and work-related issues.
• Flexible Time Off: Accrual starts at hire, increases with service.
• Paid Holidays: 13 company holidays annually.

All Locations

Lake Forest , California , United States

Field of Activity

Research & Development (Software Development)

Salary Range

$110k - $150k (depending on experience)

EEO Statement

EEO Statement

Advantest is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Advantest to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

The Advantest Way - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Advantest, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are continuing to build a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging through our DE&I programs & initiatives. We strive to have a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace to enable us to attract and retain candidates that feel a sense of purpose and empowerment. Our commitment to DE&I is unwavering and we are steadfast in our mission to continuously foster an environment of respect, trust and transparency. We value diversity and inclusion and believe employees of all backgrounds contribute to our ongoing success. At Advantest, we celebrate and support the needs of our employees regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), sex and sexual orientation. DE&I at Advantest is more than words to us, they are the Advantest Way.