Senior/Staff Hardware Engineer – Test Hardware & Probe Solutions

Position Summary

Responsible for the design, development, qualification, deployment, and lifecycle support of semiconductor test hardware solutions for wafer sort, final test and debug applications. The role focuses on design and development of probe cards, load boards, debug boards, engineering boards and tester interface solutions, including supplier management for die probe, socket, contactor and mechanical stiffener procurements, ensuring robust hardware readiness for product qualification, high volume production, and manufacturing expansion initiatives.

This role combines deep semiconductor test hardware expertise with the ability to lead hardware projects independently, collaborate across global teams, manage suppliers, solve complex technical issues, and drive hardware solutions from concept to production release. The individual demonstrates strong ownership, excellent communication skills, and a continuous improvement mindset while balancing technical excellence with business and manufacturing needs.

Key Responsibilities

Test Hardware Development

• Use Altium Designer tool to design and develop probe cards, load boards, debug boards, engineering boards and tester interface solutions for semiconductor testing, in accordance with budget, project schedule, vendor engagement, DFM/DFA, manufacturing capability, qualification, buyoff and production release.
• Conduct design reviews for schematics, layouts, technical specifications, and generate manufacturing documentation.
• Support hardware optimization for multi-site and high-parallelism test solutions.

Probe Card Development

• Drive Fixed Probe Card(FPC) projects from concept through design, vendor engagement, manufacturing, qualification, buyoff, and production release.
• Create, maintain, review, and release Probe Card Specification File (PCSF) to die probe suppliers.
• Define technical requirements and coordinate hardware modifications, rewiring activities, and engineering improvements.
• Resolve probe and interconnect related issues affecting yield, leakage, continuity and qualification performance.

Vendor and Supplier Management

• Work closely with external suppliers and engineering partners on hardware design, PCB fabrication/Assembly, die probe solutions, socket solutions, mechanical solutions, repair, and qualification activities.
• Manage RFQs, procurement process, engineering queries, technical reviews, supplier discussions, and delivery follow-up.
• Evaluate supplier solutions and ensure compliance with project requirements.

Hardware Qualification and Buyoff

• Execute hardware verification and qualification activities.
• Support engineering buyoff reviews and release readiness assessments.
• Investigate qualification failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure hardware meets product and manufacturing requirements before deployment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Test Engineering, Manufacturing, NPI, Operations, and external vendors.
• Provide technical guidance during project planning, qualification, and production support activities.
• Support multiple concurrent product and platform development projects.

Technical Problem Solving

• Troubleshoot complex hardware related issues.
• Perform root cause analysis on hardware failures and qualification issues.
• Recommend and implement design improvements to enhance test robustness and reliability.

Manufacturing Expansion Support

• Support new manufacturing site readiness programs through hardware development and deployment activities.
• Coordinate hardware requirements for production transfers and capacity expansion initiatives.
• Ensure timely delivery and qualification of test hardware required for manufacturing ramps.

Key Deliverables

• Wafer test -Fixed Probe Card (FPC) designed, fabricated, qualified and deployed for production on schedule. PCSF documentation created, verified and released.
• Final test load boards, debug boards, and hardware interfaces completed & deployed on schedule.
• Qualified hardware deployed on-time to support NPI, qualification, production ramp, and manufacturing expansion activities.

Required Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of ATE hardware platforms, Final test load boards, Wafer test probe cards, Engineering test boards, DUT interface hardware solutions, test setups & production environment concepts.
• Hands-on experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture, PCB layout review, design validation, generate and maintain manufacturing documentation. Experience with other PCB design tools is an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of DFM, DFA & DFT methodologies to ensure robust, cost-effective, and manufacturable hardware designs.
• Ability to define specifications for customized sockets, contactors, probe cards, and test interface hardware based on product test requirements.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve test hardware performance and reliability.
• Ability to lead periodic hardware development reviews and effectively collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier stakeholders to drive project success.
• Ability to perform peer reviews within HW team to ensure design quality, manufacturability, testability, reliability, and compliance with project requirements while driving continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the team.

Soft skills

• Minimum 7 years of experience in semiconductor industry with focus on test hardware design.
• Bachelor or Master degree in Electronic Engineering.
• Fluent communication skills in English language
• Candidate to be technically inclined and to have excellent problem solving skills.
• Able to build good relationships between cross functional teams.
• Fast learner and needs to be self-motivated.
• Demonstrate open mindedness, and an eagerness to learn and think outside the box
• Be passionate about new, innovative methods and technologies
• Demonstrate an ability to work in teams and collaborate effectively with people in different functions
• Demonstrates commitment to delivering quality results within agreed timelines.
• Escalates issues appropriately and follows through until resolution.
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.
• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Effectively balances urgent production support with long-term development activities.
• Maintains clear visibility of project status, dependencies, and risks.
• Communicates technical concepts clearly to engineers, managers, suppliers, and manufacturing teams.
• Produces concise and accurate technical documentation, reports, and specifications.
• Provides regular project updates and effectively drives technical discussions.

Talent acquisition based on Nexperia vacancies is not appreciated. Nexperia job adverts are Nexperia copyright © material and the word Nexperia® is a registered trademark.

D&I Statement

As an equal-opportunity employer, Nexperia values diversity not just because it is the right thing to do but because diverse teams perform better. We are dedicated to being inclusive, and a proof point of this dedication is that we were the main partner of the very first Dutch Paralympic Team NL House during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all, and we consider all applicants fairly, as well as providing a safe work environment and reasonable adjustments where requested.

In addition, we offer our colleagues the possibility to join employee resource groups such as the Pride Network Group or global and local Women's groups. Nexperia is committed to increasing women in management positions to 30% by 2030.