Job Description

We are seeking highly skilled Applied AI Engineer (Software Engineer)to build intelligent systems that automate, optimize and validate PCB design workflows.

The person will work at the intersection of electronics engineering, EDA tools and AI to significantly reduce design cycle time, improve quality and enable next‑generation autonomous PCB design capabilities

The role involves working with large-scale datasets, reinforcement learning, optimization, algorithms, building predictive and deploying ML/AI solutions for complex PCB Design workflows

What You Will Do

• Collect, clean and preprocess structured and unstructured data from multiple sources (EDA software etc.)

• Build working prototypes for AI-assisted PCB Design automation.

• Design, train and evaluate supervised, unsupervised and RL (reinforcement learning) machine learning models.

• Implement models such as regression, classification, clustering, time series, GNNs, reinforcement learning and optimization algorithms

• Formulate automation task as an optimization/RL problem, including state representation, action space, reward design, constraints and evaluation criteria.

• Evaluate and implement different algorithms such as simulated annealing, greedy approach, graph-based, force-directed methods, constraint solving, ILP/CP-SAT orevolutionary algorithms.

• Develop RL or learning-guided methods using realistic EDA/PCB design data.

• Define quality metrics for evaluating layout or assignment solutions based on cost efficiency, design-rule violations, conflict minimization, density and engineering review effort.

• Create benchmark datasets and evaluation pipelines to compare generated output against baselines and engineer-reviewed layouts.

• Design data representations for components, nets, board regions, keep-out zones, mechanical boundaries, constraints and connectivity graphs.

• Build visual/debug tooling to inspect output, failure cases and quality metrics.

• Work with PCB/layout/domain experts to translate design rules and PCB Design practices (placement, routing etc.) into software constraints.

• Contribute to the path from research prototype to usable engineering workflow.

• Ensure AI solutions follow ethical, responsible and explainable AI practices

Qualifications

Required Qualifications /Skills

• 1-3 years of hands-on software engineering applied ML, optimization, robotics planning, EDA automation, CAD automation or related experience.

• Strong Python programming.

• Hands-on experience with PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow or similar ML frameworks.

• Practical reinforcement learning experience beyond tutorials, including environment design, reward shaping, training loops, evaluation, and debugging.

• Strong fundamentals in algorithms, graph methods, search, combinatorial optimization, computational geometry, or constraint solving.

• Experience solving structured optimization problems such as placement, routing, scheduling, packing, assignment, layout, planning, or path optimization.

• Ability to independently build prototypes from problem formulation through implementation and evaluation.

• Experience designing experiments, metrics, benchmarks, and reproducible evaluation pipelines.

• Strong debugging, testing, profiling, and code-structuring skills.

• Ability to collaborate with domain experts and convert engineering rules into algorithmic constraints.

Good To Have

• PCB placement, PCB layout automation, EDA routing/placement, VLSI physical design, CAD/CAM automation or design automation experience.

• Experience with ECAD/EDA tools such as Cadence Allegro, Altium, Siemens/Mentor, Zuken, KiCa, or similar.

• Experience with graph neural networks, imitation learning, offline RL, actor-critic methods, policy-gradient methods or hybrid RL + heuristic systems.

• Experience with OR-Tools, CP-SAT, ILP/MIP solvers, simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, Bayesian optimization or other metaheuristics.

• Experience with graph/netlist data, geometric layouts, spatial optimization or constraint-heavy engineering data.

• Experience with Ray/RLlib, Stable-Baselines3, CleanRL, Gymnasium or custom RL environments.

• GPU training, distributed experimentation, experiment tracking or scalable model evaluation experience.

• Bachelors/master’s in computer science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, AI/ML, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, or related field.

Ideal Candidate Backgrounds

• Senior ML engineer with real reinforcement learning or combinatorial optimization experience.

• Optimization engineer from robotics, scheduling, logistics, CAD/CAM, GIS, EDA, or spatial planning.

• EDA/VLSI/PCB automation engineer with strong software and optimization skills.

• Applied researcher who has shipped or prototyped working systems beyond academic experiments.

• Software engineer who has built scalable experimental systems for structured optimization problems.

About Advantest

Advantest America Inc. is part of Advantest Corporation, the world’s largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. The company designs and manufactures cutting-edge testing solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of their products. Advantest is known for innovation, reliability, and a strong commitment to supporting its customers and employees.

Our Purpose & Values:
Mission: Improve lives through advanced technologies and customer-focused innovation.
Vision: Be the most trusted and valued test solution provider in the semiconductor value chain.

Core Values:
I- Innovation is our Lifeblood
N- Number One is Our Aspiration
T- Trust is our Foundation
E- Empowerment is Our Motivation
G- Global is our Reach
R- Respect is our Heart
I - Inclusion and Diversity is Our Commitment
T- Teamwork is our Approach
Y- Yes is Our Attitude

Why Join Us

At Advantest, innovation starts with people. We’re looking for curious, capable, and collaborative individuals ready to shape the future of semiconductor technology. You’ll join a global team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

We foster an integrity-centered culture, where honesty, inclusion, and respect are the foundation of everything we do.

Benefits Overview

* Global Bonus Program: Performance-based bonuses paid twice yearly.
* 401(k) Plan: Pre-tax retirement savings with company match.
* Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple plan options including HMO, PPO, and HSA.
* Income Protection: Life, disability, and accident insurance at no cost.
* Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care options.
* Employee Assistance Program: Free support for personal and work-related issues.
* Flexible Time Off: Accrual starts at hire, increases with service.
* Paid Holidays: 13 company holidays annually.

State of California Development

EEO Statement

EEO Statement
Advantest is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Advantest to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

The Advantest Way - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Advantest, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are continuing to build a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging through our DE&I programs & initiatives. We strive to have a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace to enable us to attract and retain candidates that feel a sense of purpose and empowerment. Our commitment to DE&I is unwavering and we are steadfast in our mission to continuously foster an environment of respect, trust and transparency. We value diversity and inclusion and believe employees of all backgrounds contribute to our ongoing success. At Advantest, we celebrate and support the needs of our employees regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), sex and sexual orientation. DE&I at Advantest is more than words to us, they are the Advantest Way.