Principal, ATE Test Engineer

As a Principal, ATE Test Engineer at indie Semiconductor, your primary responsibilities will include developing and implementing robust test programs for the Advantest 93K SmartScale/ExaScale platform, ensuring alignment with Automotive specifications, and leading test engineering efforts for SOC, MS, and PMIC tests. You'll analyze debug results and collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate Design-for-Test strategies into new products while maintaining a focus on achieving test coverage and production milestones.

To qualify for the Principal, ATE Test Engineer role at indie Semiconductor, you’ll need a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with a minor in Electrical Engineering, paired with over 10 years of ATE test engineering experience. Familiarity with the V93000 SOC Tester SMT8, strong analytical skills, experience using programming languages like Perl or Python, and hands-on experience with digital and analog test methods are essential.

As a Principal, ATE Test Engineer at indie Semiconductor, you play a critical role in new product development by crafting comprehensive test strategies that ensure quality and reliability. Your insights help define applicable coverage during the design phase, and your collaboration with product development teams ensures that Design-for-Test principles are integrated into the product design, ultimately leading to more efficient testing and higher quality products.

Success as a Principal, ATE Test Engineer at indie Semiconductor hinges on strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills. An ability to create compliance matrices, analyze test data, and report findings effectively is crucial. Additionally, proficiency in scripting (like Perl or Python) and strong attention to detail in lab environments are vital for diagnosing and resolving ATE hardware-related issues.

The work environment for a Principal, ATE Test Engineer at indie Semiconductor is dynamic and collaborative. You will be primarily working in a lab setting, where hands-on testing and troubleshooting are key components of the job. A culture of innovation and team support is fostered, ensuring you'll never feel alone in tackling engineering challenges while contributing to the exciting future of automotive technology.

When answering this question, focus on highlighting your past roles and specific projects you've worked on that align with ATE test engineering principles. Be sure to mention tools and technologies you've utilized, any specific success stories, and insights into how your contributions made a difference in your previous positions.

Outline a structured approach to analyzing test failures, such as reviewing test results, identifying patterns, understanding the interaction between hardware and software, and how you perform root cause analysis. It’s effective to mention specific examples where you successfully troubleshooted a test issue.

Discuss your familiarity with Automotive standards and regulations, and how you've incorporated them into your test programs. Provide examples of adherence to these specifications in your past roles, demonstrating your understanding of the industry’s regulatory landscape.

Highlight your proficiency in relevant programming and scripting languages like Perl, Python, C, or C++. Explain how you've applied these languages in developing or debugging test programs, perhaps with specific examples of your work.

When discussing test strategy development, emphasize factors such as test coverage requirements, timeline considerations, resource availability, expected outcomes, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Use examples from your previous experiences to illustrate your points.

Choose a specific instance where a complex problem arose in your testing process. Detail the steps you took to diagnose and resolve it, showcasing your analytical skills and tenacity in problem-solving.

Discuss your approach to collaboration, emphasizing communication skills, team dynamics, and how you ensure everyone’s alignment throughout the development and testing processes. Providing anecdotes of successful team projects can add depth to your answer.

Share any relevant experiences related to post-silicon validation processes, discussing specific tests or frameworks you used, and how these contributed to the success of product launches or improvements.

Mention any professional development practices you engage in, such as attending seminars, participating in forums, or completing certifications. Highlight interests in particular emerging technologies that excite you and relate directly to your role.

Express your passion for technology and innovation, emphasizing how working in this field allows you to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the automotive sector. Sharing personal anecdotes can make your answer more relatable and engaging.