Senior Production Test Engineer

Tempress Systems Inc., formerly SPT Microtechnologies USA; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Tempress Systems Inc., based in San Jose, CA, seeks a Senior Production Test Engineer to design, develop, and implement test methods, fixtures, and diagnostics for semiconductor capital equipment. You will guide production technicians and collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, and Quality to ensure products meet stringent specs before shipment.

The role requires hands-on testing, fixture design, and advanced troubleshooting across automated wafer handling, gas panels, heaters, and control

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or equivalent with relevant test experience.
• Strong ability to read schematics, diagrams, and multi-axis drawings.
• Experience with diagnostic tools and cleanroom environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement test methods, fixtures, and diagnostic programs for semiconductor capital equipment.
• Exercise independent judgment on NCRs and update schematics and procedures to improve yield.
• Identify test gaps and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Train production staff on new test systems and procedures; serve as escalation point for test issues.
• Isolate and resolve complex multi-variant failures at component level.
• Set up, calibrate, and verify MFCs, gas delivery, and UHV components with leak detectors.
• Perform system-level functional testing of integrated platforms for new product validation and QA.
• Analyze control systems and PLCs to determine corrective actions.
• Design and oversee build/repair of specialized automated test equipment.

Skills

Test engineering

Failure analysis

Method design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering

Tools

DMMs

Oscilloscopes

Signal generators

HV power supplies

Helium leak detectors

Job description

Company Bio: Tempress Systems Inc., based in San Jose, CA is a leading vertical batch furnace supplier for innovative MEMS, Power, LED, Semiconductor, III-V, RFID, and packing device manufacturers.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Production Test Engineer to join our manufacturing operations team. In this role, you will independently design, develop, and implement test methods, fixtures, and diagnostic procedures for semiconductor capital equipment, exercising technical judgment to resolve complex electromechanical issues with minimal oversight. You will serve as the primary technical authority on test-related product quality, collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Quality to drive corrective actions, approve schematic and procedure updates, and guide production technicians through complex troubleshooting — ensuring our products meet rigorous functional requirements before customer shipment.

Salary Range: $120,000-$140,000

Job Responsibilities

• Independently designs, develops, and implements test methods, fixtures, and diagnostic programs for new and existing products; determines appropriate test strategies based on product requirements and manufacturing constraints.
• Exercises independent judgment to generate and resolve Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), redline and approve electrical schematic revisions, and author updates to engineering drawings and test procedures to improve factory yield — serving as the primary technical decision-maker on test-related product issues.
• Identifies test process gaps and yield-limiting issues; leads root cause analysis and drives corrective actions to closure with minimal oversight.
• Trains and provides technical guidance to production technicians on new test stations and procedures; serves as subject matter expert and escalation point for complex test and troubleshooting issues.
• Applies advanced troubleshooting expertise to isolate and resolve complex multi-variant failures at the component level when issues exceed standard test procedures.
• Set up, calibrate, and verify mechanical, pneumatic, gas delivery (MFCs), and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) components utilizing specialized leak detection equipment.
• Executes system-level functional testing on integrated platforms as part of new product validation and ongoing quality assurance, including testing and trouble-shooting automated wafer handling, gas panels, heaters, electronic assemblies, power boxes, controllers, PCBAs, and high purity vacuum components.
• Analyze automated control systems, system software, PLC hardware, and logic to identify root causes of equipment malfunctions and independently determines appropriate corrective actions.
• Designs, specifies, and oversees the build, repair, and maintenance of specialized automated test equipment (ATE) and diagnostic hardware interfaces, performing hands-on work as needed to resolve complex or novel equipment issues.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field with 2-3 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree/equivalent technical certification with 5+ years of direct experience as a test engineer or engineering technician working with complex semiconductor equipment or similar large-scale robotics platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and trace complex electrical schematics, exhaust diagrams, and multi-axis mechanical drawings. Sound electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills of digital and analog circuitry.
• Ability to effectively use diagnostic tools including digital multimeters (DMMs), oscilloscopes, signal generators, high-voltage power supplies, and helium leak detectors.
• Comfortable working continuously inside a clean manufacturing environment wearing cleanroom garments and handling precision components.
• Basic understanding of or exposure to test execution platforms and data logging scripts (e.g., LabVIEW, Python, or proprietary PLC automation software).
• Working knowledge of ISO-9001, ISO-14001, 5S and Lean manufacturing principles
• Light walking around a manufacturing floor. Standing for extended periods. Able to lift moderate weight, materials up to thirty pounds. Work with small hand tools. Climb ladders up to twenty-five feet.
• Electro-mechanicalexpertise is highly desirable.