Senior Application Engineer - Semiconductor Test

Advantest Corporation; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental & vision plans

Life insurance

Flexible time off

Job summary

Advantest America develops and supports advanced semiconductor test solutions for SoC devices, AI compute, and high-performance computing applications. We are building a hands-on application engineering team focused on leading-edge ATE platforms and lab infrastructure.

The role combines software and hardware debugging with customer collaboration and on-site execution. The position emphasizes ownership of test programs, silicon bring-up, and automation, with regular on-site work in San Jose, CA.

Qualifications

• Education: S. or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Location: Based in San Jose, CA with on-site presence three days a week.
• ATE and Semiconductor Test: Hands-on experience with manufacturing, characterization, validation, or production test.
• SoC Test Foundations: Knowledge of structural test, memory BIST, and high-speed I/O.
• Programming & Automation: Proficiency in Java, C/C++, Python; build tools and automate workflows.
• Problem-solving: Ability to diagnose across software, hardware, silicon, and customer constraints.

Responsibilities

• Architect, write, debug, and optimize SoC test programs for advanced devices.
• Drive first-silicon bring-up and validate interactions between silicon and tester environment.
• Translate and debug patterns across DFT and tester workflows; support tester bring-up.
• Collaborate with PCB and hardware teams on device interfaces and power delivery.
• Develop automation in Python/Java/C++ to analyze logs and accelerate learning loops.

Skills

Java

C/C++

Python

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

S. or MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SmarTest 8

V93000

DIBs

Job description

About Advantest

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

Advantest America develops and supports advanced semiconductor test solutions for next-generation SoC, high-performance computing, RF, and mixed-signal products. We are building a high-caliber application engineering team for engineers who want ownership, customer impact, and hands-on access to leading-edge ATE, silicon, and lab infrastructure as demand for AI compute and inference accelerates.

The Role

This role places you near one of the most important semiconductor buildouts underway: AI compute and inference. You will help bring up, validate, and optimize advanced SoC devices for high-performance computing and large-scale AI infrastructure—working across silicon, software, ATE, and customer programs.

• We are seeking a hands-on Semiconductor Test Application Engineer in San Jose, CA. This role is ideal for an experienced ATE, validation, test development, or system-level debug engineer who wants to solve complex semiconductor test challenges with lab hardware, customer teams, and next-generation Advantest V93000 platforms.
• You will become a key technical owner for Advantest SmarTest 8 and V93000-based SoC test solutions, helping architect, debug, and optimize production-grade test programs for complex devices. Because the work includes hardware bring-up, lab execution, customer collaboration, and fast-moving ramps, the position is based on-site.

What You Will Do

• Test Program Development: Architect, write, debug, and optimize SoC test programs in modern ATE software environments, including Advantest SmarTest 8, for advanced AI compute, inference, and high-performance semiconductor devices.
• Silicon Bring-Up and Validation: Support and help drive first-silicon bring-up on V93000 testers, debugging interactions between silicon, system behavior, test content, and the tester environment.
• Pattern Workflow Engineering: Drive pattern translation, validation, and debug across DFT and tester workflows. Work with STIL, WGL, or comparable pattern sources; support tester bring-up; and collaborate with design and product engineering on emerging virtual test workflows using SmarTest 8 and V93000 environments.
• Hardware Co-Design and Debug: Collaborate with PCB and hardware teams to specify, validate, and troubleshoot high-density Device Interface Boards (DIBs), including signal integrity, power delivery, and tester-to-device interfaces.
• Test Time and Automation: Build automation in Python, Java, C++, or similar languages to analyze logs and STDF data, streamline debug, interface with test platforms, improve multi-site efficiency, and accelerate learning loops.

Requirements

• Education:S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Location and Presence: Based in San Jose, CA, with regular on-site work at least three days per week across customer sites, lab environments, and/or the Advantest office.
• ATE and Semiconductor Test Experience: Hands-on experience developing, debugging, or supporting test applications for manufacturing, characterization, validation, or production test. V93000 and SmarTest 8 experience is highly valued, but other ATE platforms or adjacent semiconductor test systems are also relevant.
• SoC Test Foundations: Working knowledge of structural test, scan-based test strategies, memory BIST, logic BIST, high-speed digital I/O, or comparable SoC validation and production-test concepts.
• Programming and Automation: Strong skills in Java, C/C++, Python, or similar languages, with the ability to build tools, automate workflows, parse test data, and debug hardware/software interactions.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to move between software, hardware, silicon behavior, and customer constraints to diagnose issues and drive practical solutions.

Why Join Us?

• Hands-On Lab Access: Get direct access to advanced V93000 testers, complex SoC bring-up environments, and lab infrastructure for real customer test challenges.
• Silicon Valley Impact: Work with leading design, architecture, DFT, and customer engineering teams on AI compute and inference devices where test strategy, debug speed, and production readiness affect time-to-market.
• Career Growth: Build deep expertise in V93000 and SmarTest 8 while applying your ATE, validation, hardware debug, or automation background to AI compute and inference programs.

If you are an ATE, semiconductor validation, test development, or hardware/software debug engineer ready to help power the next wave of AI compute, we would like to hear from you.

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

San Jose , California , United States

Field of Activity

Application Engineering

Salary Range

Bay Area Target Salary Range $107,080-$165,530 DOE

- § 60-300.5(a)(2)(3)(4) Equal opportunity clause. Details the job posting requirements.

- § 60-300.5(a)(6) Equal opportunity clause. All employment openings includes all positions except executive and senior management, those positions that will be filled from within the contractor's organization, and positions lasting three days or less. This term includes full-time employment, temporary employment of more than three days' duration, and part-time employment.

CCPA Notice for California Residents

Notice for California Residents: We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with Advantest America, Inc., including some or all of the following categories of PI: identifiers and personal records (e.g., name, phone number, email address, employment history); commercial information (e.g., if we reimburse you for travel or other expenses during the application process); sensory information (e.g., recorded virtual interviews); professional or employment information (e.g., information provided in your resume and application, such as employment history); non-public education records (e.g., educational institution transcripts and records); and inferences drawn from the above categories of PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing operations related to your potential employment. To view the Advantest Privacy Policy, visit https://www.advantest.com/privacy-policy.html. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at [e-mail].

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.

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.