Wafer Test Development Engineer

Client is seeking a Sr. Wafer Test Development Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and optimization of semiconductor wafer-level test solutions supporting next-generation photonics and electronic devices.

This individual will serve as the technical lead for wafer-level testing and will be responsible for developing automated test solutions, writing, and maintaining test software, supporting production test operations, and expanding the company’s overall semiconductor test capabilities. The engineer will work closely with product development, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to transition new products into production while improving yield, reliability, and test efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing automated test solutions in a semiconductor manufacturing environment and be comfortable supporting everything from wafer probing and production test development to equipment integration, troubleshooting, and long-term test strategy.

In addition to wafer testing responsibilities, this individual should be interested in learning and eventually leading the Pick & Place and Automatic Visual Inspection (AVI) processes. They should be comfortable programming probe stations for both laser and electronic devices while helping expand and improve the company’s automated test infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, validate, deploy, and improve automated wafer-level production test solutions.

• Perform wafer probe testing for semiconductor laser and electronic devices.

• Design, write, modify, and maintain automated test software using LabVIEW, TestStand, Visual Basic, Python, C, .NET, or similar programming languages.

• Develop and execute test plans, project schedules, and validation activities for new product introductions.

• Support wafer-level probers, burn-in systems, packaged device testers, and automated production equipment.

• Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and production test issues while driving yield improvements.

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to define product test requirements and improve manufacturability.

• Support implementation of Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gauge R&R studies, data collection, traceability, and manufacturing analytics.

• Develop test procedures, documentation, and training material for engineering and manufacturing personnel.

• Assist in building and expanding the company’s wafer test area, including equipment selection, fixture development, and process improvements.

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities and transfer products from development into manufacturing.

• Participate in design verification, failure analysis, FMEA, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Maintain compliance with ISO9001 quality standards and customer-specific requirements.

• Learn and eventually lead Pick & Place and Automatic Visual Inspection (AVI) operations as the organization continues to expand.

Bachelor’s or master s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline.

• 5+ years of semiconductor wafer-level test engineering experience.

• Strong experience performing wafer probe testing within a semiconductor manufacturing environment.

• Experience developing automated semiconductor production test systems.

• Strong programming experience with LabVIEW, TestStand, Visual Basic, Python, C/C++, .NET, or similar languages.

• Experience writing and maintaining automated test software.

• Strong understanding of semiconductor test equipment, instrumentation, and production testing methodologies.

• Experience troubleshooting production test equipment and improving manufacturing yield.

• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and transferring products into production.

• Strong understanding of statistical analysis, Gauge R&R, SPC, FMEA, and process validation.

• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating across engineering and manufacturing organizations.

• Willingness to learn and lead Pick & Place and Automatic Visual Inspection systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with photonics manufacturing.

• Experience testing VCSEL arrays, edge-emitting lasers, photodetectors, or other optoelectronic devices.

• High-voltage semiconductor testing experience (3.3kV MOSFETs or similar).

• Experience with laser characterization and optical testing.

• Experience developing wafer-level probe solutions.

• Experience supporting burn-in systems and packaged device testing.

• Database experience (SQL/MySQL) for manufacturing data collection and analytics.

• Experience designing or expanding semiconductor test labs and manufacturing test infrastructure.

• Experience with Applications Engineering supporting customer-facing technical activities.

• Prior leadership or mentoring experience within semiconductor test organizations.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a hands-on senior test engineer who enjoys building automated test systems, solving difficult manufacturing challenges, and improving production processes. They should be comfortable owning the complete test development lifecycle, from wafer probing and software development to production support, equipment implementation, process optimization, and long-term test strategy. Experience within photonics manufacturing is highly desired, but candidates with strong semiconductor automated test development backgrounds and the ability to learn quickly will also be considered.