
Principal Software Engineer
Required skills
- software architecture
- software design
- system integration
- SLT
- Burn-In
- HPC
- Semiconductor test platforms
- semiconductor testers
- automated handlers
- software drivers
Nice to have
- ATE
- ActivATE/ActivATE360
- Advantest 93000
- digital tests
- test programs
- device drivers
Role summary
A Principal Software Engineer is sought for a hands-on role focused on the architecture, design, coding, system integration, and debugging of semiconductor test platforms. This position involves working across various hardware and software components, including testers, handlers, drivers, firmware, and distributed systems. Key responsibilities include developing software for test platforms and orchestration, driving test-driven development with a focus on unit and integration tests, and remaining approximately 70% hands-on in coding and technical design. The role requires deep expertise in C#/.NET, distributed systems, multithreading, asynchronous programming, APIs, and debugging, with experience integrating software with physical equipment and firmware. The engineer will also gather requirements, mentor junior engineers, and lead design/code reviews. The position is based onsite in Lake Forest, CA.
Principal Software Engineer
Position Overview
Hands-on Principal Software Engineer responsible for software architecture, design, coding, system integration, and debugging across SLT, Burn-In, and HPC Semiconductor test platforms. The role works directly across semiconductor testers, automated handlers, software drivers, firmware, instrumentation, thermal systems, test programs, and distributed software platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect, design, and develop software for SLT, Burn-In, and HPC test platforms, test orchestration, equipment integration, messaging, and data services.
- Drives test driven development in Hardware-Centric Environments with high focus on unit and integration tests
- Remain approximately 70% hands-on in coding, integration, testing, debugging, and technical design.
- Develop cross-platform applications, SDKs, drivers, APIs, test programs, and equipment-control software using C#, .NET 10+, ASP.NET10+, Python, Blazor, and xUnit.
- Develop distributed messaging, telemetry, data pipelines, and orchestration using Apache Pulsar and PostgreSQL.
- Implement secure on-premises platform services using OIDC/OAuth 2.0 and related identity technologies.
- Integrate software with test hardware, firmware, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and instrumentation systems.
- Develop and integrate ActivATE/ActivATE360, device/instrumentation drivers, and test execution workflows.
- Implement SCAN, pattern execution, and vector-conversion workflows.
- Debug system-level issues across software, communications, firmware, hardware, and DUT execution.
- Work directly with customers and global engineering teams during integration and deployment.
- Gather requirements from customers, internal departments, and cross-BU partners; communicate tradeoffs and deliver solutions from design through production.
- Design for reliable execution, test-data integrity, fault recovery, and compatibility across independently evolving components.
- Mentor engineers and lead design/code reviews while remaining hands-on.
- All other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- 12+ years of software engineering experience with strong hands-on technical leadership.
- Deep expertise in C#/.NET, distributed systems, multithreading, asynchronous programming, APIs, and debugging.
- Experience integrating software with physical equipment, firmware, drivers, or semiconductor/industrial test systems.
- Experience owning architecture through implementation, integration, and production deployment.
- Strong Knowledge of TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, and gRPC.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Must be willing to work onsite at our Lake Forest, CA office.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with SLT, Burn-In, ATE, HPC, ActivATE/ActivATE360, or Advantest 93000.
- Experience with digital tests, test programs, device drivers, instrumentation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
- Experience delivering cross-platform and on-premises software in semiconductor production environments.
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work in an on-prem and on-site setup (No Hybrid) in Lake Forest, CA.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
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