Validation Engineer

Saicon; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive contractor rate

On-site work in San Jose

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Saicon is seeking a senior-level contractor to lead production test development for SoC devices with copackaged optics. You will own ATE program development, DFT/BIST enablement, yield optimization, and high-volume manufacturability support.

You will apply Python-based automation, analyze test data, and translate bench results into robust multisite production tests, collaborating with design, firmware, and OSAT teams to qualify ECOs and drive test effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience developing on leading ATE platforms (e.g., Advantest V93K/AC+, Teradyne UltraFLEX/UltraFLEXplus) including timing sets, DC/AC measurements, and multisite
• Strong understanding of SerDes/PHY fundamentals: equalization, CDR, CTLE/DFE, PRBS/BER, margining, jitter/eye constraints, and on-draft BIST integration
• Proficiency in Python for automation and data analytics; experience with STDF parsing, visualization, and automated SPC/anomaly detection
• Solid DFT background: scan/ATPG patterns, boundary scan, MBIST/LBIST, JTAG access, pattern formats (WGL/STIL), and pattern bring-up on ATE
• Working knowledge of UCIe and PCIe (Gen5/Gen6 preferred) from a production test perspective: link checks via firmware or test hooks, compliance counters, and error injection/monitoring
• Excellent documentation, cross-functional communication, and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Own development, integration, and maintenance of wafer sort and final test programs on ATE for SoC SerDes with copackaged optics
• Define and implement production test coverage for SerDes PHY and protocol features (PRBS, loopback, margining, FEC, CDR lock, EQ settings) using on-die BIST/DFT and ATE instrumentation
• Implement and optimize multisite strategies, parallel test execution, guardbanding, and test time reduction while meeting quality and coverage goals
• Correlate bench/char results to ATE: develop golden-unit flows, establish limits, build characterization-to-production handoff, and close gaps
• Integrate DFT features (scan/ATPG, boundary scan, MBIST/LBIST, JTAG) into production flows; manage pattern conversion, timing sets, and pin maps
• Implement UCIe/PCIe-related production checks: link training emulation, LTSSM state verification via firmware or test hooks, compliance counters, and error injection/monitoring
• Build Python-based tooling for ATE control, data parsing, STDF analytics, dashboards, and automated limit updates; integrate with MES/SPC and CI pipelines
• Collaborate with silicon design, firmware, DFT, product engineering, OSAT/probe, and SI teams to resolve issues and qualify ECOs/revisions
• Document test plans, specifications, vector maps, limits, and release notes; train operations teams and support sustaining engineering

Skills

Python automation

Data analytics

Multisite ATE testing

DFT/MBIST knowledge

STDF parsing

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Advantest V93K/AC+

Teradyne UltraFLEX/UltraFLEXplus

Job description

Job Description:

We are seeking a senior-level contractor to lead production test development for SoC devices integrating copackaged optics (CPO) SerDes interfaces. This role centers on ATE program development, DFT/BIST enablement, yield/quality optimization, and high-volume manufacturability. Strong understanding of SerDes and protocols such as UCIe and PCIe is required, with emphasis on translating characterization into robust, multisite production tests. Experience with Python-based automation and data analytics is essential; familiarity with AI-assisted tools for test development and data triage is a plus.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own development, integration, and maintenance of wafer sort and final test programs on ATE for SoC SerDes with copackaged optics
• Define and implement production test coverage for SerDes PHY and protocol features (PRBS, loopback, margining, FEC, CDR lock, EQ settings) using on-die BIST/DFT and ATE instrumentation
• Implement and optimize multisite strategies, parallel test execution, guardbanding, and test time reduction while meeting quality and coverage goals
• Correlate bench/char results to ATE: develop golden-unit flows, establish limits, build characterization-to-production handoff, and close gaps
• Integrate DFT features (scan/ATPG, boundary scan, MBIST/LBIST, JTAG) into production flows; manage pattern conversion, timing sets, and pin maps
• Implement UCIe/PCIe-related production checks: link training emulation, LTSSM state verification via firmware or test hooks, compliance counters, and error injection/monitoring
• Build Python-based tooling for ATE control, data parsing, STDF analytics, dashboards, and automated limit updates; integrate with MES/SPC and CI pipelines
• Collaborate with silicon design, firmware, DFT, product engineering, OSAT/probe, and SI teams to resolve issues and qualify ECOs/revisions
• Document test plans, specifications, vector maps, limits, and release notes; train operations teams and support sustaining engineering

Required Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience developing on leading ATE platforms (e.g., Advantest V93K/AC+, Teradyne UltraFLEX/UltraFLEXplus) including timing sets, DC/AC measurements, and multisite
• Strong understanding of SerDes/PHY fundamentals: equalization, CDR, CTLE/DFE, PRBS/BER, margining, jitter/eye constraints, and on-draft BIST integration
• Proficiency in Python for automation and data analytics; experience with STDF parsing, visualization, and automated SPC/anomaly detection
• Solid DFT background: scan/ATPG patterns, boundary scan, MBIST/LBIST, JTAG access, pattern formats (WGL/STIL), and pattern bring-up on ATE
• Working knowledge of UCIe and PCIe (Gen5/Gen6 preferred) from a production test perspective: link checks via firmware or test hooks, compliance counters, and error injection/monitoring
• Excellent documentation, cross-functional communication, and problem-solving skills