Sr. Technical Program Manager (Automation Project Engineer)

$160,000 - $185,000/Yr

Advantest - Lake Forest, CA

Full-time - Senior

Lake Forest, CA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Advantest Test Solutions, Inc. (ATS) is seeking a Sr. Technical Program Manager / Project Engineer with a strong focus on semiconductor device handling, gantry/robotics systems design, and mecha-thermal test system development. This role is pivotal as the individual will serve as the overall project owner, supervising both internal teams and external partners to develop and implement mechanical and thermal handling solutions for large semiconductor devices and modules. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with electrical, software, and program management teams to design, develop, and test complex electronic test systems tailored for the semiconductor and module market. This position is classified as senior engineering management, necessitating a robust engineering background, mentoring capabilities, and debugging skills, along with a willingness to engage in limited domestic and international travel to support customers and installations. As the demand for AI/server computing escalates, the necessity for mechatronics device handling systems that can manage complex semiconductor devices for final testing, system-level testing, and burn-in applications is on the rise. Advantest has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions in these domains for several years and is now looking to expand its product portfolio and offerings. To facilitate this growth, the company is assembling a dedicated team to enhance its product offerings in this field. The Sr. Technical Program Manager will be responsible for running complex technical mechanical automation projects, primarily focusing on mechanical and thermal engineering for semiconductor test equipment. This includes supervising, mentoring, and managing both internal and external teams to develop and implement intricate test solutions. The role also involves developing engineering plans, project budgets, and ensuring timely project execution. Collaboration with engineering management across various disciplines, including electrical engineering, software engineering, program management, and business development, is essential to drive cross-functional projects. This includes estimating device handling throughput, releasing software features for mechanical solutions, and engaging in new product concepts and innovative solutions. The individual will lead the development of test fixtures and reliability plans for electro-mechanical components, and will be required to travel to customer sites as needed for new product concepts or to offshore locations for implementing test solutions. Additionally, the role encompasses responsibilities for document control activities, project execution coordination, and supervising subcontractor engineering activities.

Responsibilities

• Run complex technical mechanical automation projects with a focus on mechanical and thermal engineering for semiconductor test equipment.
• Supervise, mentor, and manage internal and external teams to develop and implement complex test solutions.
• Develop engineering plans, project budgets, and drive on-schedule project execution.
• Collaborate with engineering management in other disciplines to drive cross-functional projects.
• Involved in new product concepts, innovative product solutions, and architecture.
• Elicit customer requirements and resolve deployment and field failures.
• Lead development of test fixtures and reliability plans for electro-mechanical components.
• Travel to customer sites for new product concepts or to offshore locations for implementing test solutions.
• Responsible for document control activities including version/revision control and ECN/redline implementation.
• Coordinate project execution and supervise subcontractor engineering activities.

Requirements

• BS Degree in Mechanical or Thermal Engineering or related field with 7+ years of work experience; MS/PhD preferred.
• Strong independent problem-solving skills, FMEA, and troubleshooting skills are a must.
• Prior track record of supervising mechanical and thermal engineers is essential; ability to lead electronics and software teams is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with gantry/Cartesian systems, pick and place handlers, handler kits, sockets, 4 and 6 axis robots, wafer handling systems, and thermal control for semiconductor devices is highly preferred.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and/or other project management tools is preferred.
• Prior experience with specifying, sourcing, and procuring high dollar capital equipment in the semiconductor industry.
• Experience implementing revision control, document control, ECNs, redlines, and managing electromechanical documentation.
• Ability to travel to offshore sites in Asia to implement/debug complex systems is required.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers, set up test/reliability plans, and manage subcontractors is required.
• Knowledge/experience of quality practices, familiarity with CMM/ISO standards, semi S2, S8, F47 standards is a plus.
• Extremely proactive and highly organized with proven ability to multi-task in a challenging environment.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and diverse culture.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with quality practices and familiarity with CMM/ISO standards.
• Knowledge of semi S2, S8, F47 standards.