Senior Director, Software Engineering – Semiconductor Test

Advantest Corporation; Lake Forest (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global bonus program

401(k) plan

Medical, dental & vision

Job summary

Advantest America Inc. seeks a Director of Software Engineering to lead Hardware System Integration, Handler, Test Engineering, and Portfolio Engineering for semiconductor test platforms.

You will guide global teams, spend substantial time coding, and drive API reuse and AI-enabled software development. The role requires 15+ years in software, 10+ years in engineering management, and on-site work in Lake Forest, CA, with extensive cross-functional collaboration across hardware and software

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering with strong software background; MS preferred.
• 15+ years of software engineering or related technical experience.
• 10+ years of technical engineering management experience.
• 3+ years managing a multi-tier organization including managers.
• Significant experience with semiconductor equipment-control software, material handling systems, factory automation, or complex hardware/software systems.
• Strong knowledge of GEM/SECS and SEMI standards.
• Experience integrating software with testers, handlers, thermal systems, PLCs, firmware, drivers, and production equipment.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, messaging, telemetry, databases, and equipment-control software.
• Experience delivering with C#/.NET, C++, Python in production environments.
• Willingness to travel domestically/internationally; on-site in Lake Forest, CA.

Responsibilities

• Translate engineering strategy into engineering plans, milestones, and resource plans.
• Lead software managers, technical leads, developers, and test engineers across multiple domains.
• Drive execution across products and programs; meet milestones.
• Align software deployment with product management and hardware TPMs.
• Lead software integration across testers, handlers, and equipment-control systems.
• Develop interfaces for material handling, factory automation, and factory management.
• Lead data capabilities including GEM/SECS, lot processing, alarms, telemetry.
• Oversee automated validation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and production readiness.
• Improve throughput, reliability, and uptime through analysis; promote API and component reuse.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams; drive CI/CD, testing, release processes.
• Present reviews to customers and leadership; support deployments and escalations.
• Mentor leaders, conduct performance reviews, and support succession planning.

Skills

C#/.NET

C++

Python

Semiconductor software

Tester integration

Software architecture

Distributed systems

APIs & messaging

CI/CD

Leadership

Global teams

Communication

GEM/SECS

Travel willingness

Education

BS in CS/CE/EE

MS preferred

Tools

CI/CD tools

Telemetry systems

Databases

Job description

Advantest America Inc. seeks a Director of Software Engineering to lead Hardware System Integration, Handler, Test Engineering, and Portfolio Engineering for semiconductor test platforms.

You will guide global teams, spend substantial time coding, and drive API reuse and AI-enabled software development. The role requires 15+ years in software, 10+ years in engineering management, and on-site work in Lake Forest, CA, with extensive cross-functional collaboration across hardware and software