Job Description

The Director of Customer Solutions Engineering is responsible for ensuring that customer technical requirements are effectively translated into engineering services execution across the AIS organization.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this leader serves as the primary bridge between customer technical requirements and the engineering services organization. The role directs and aligns Applications Engineering, Design Engineering, Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, Simulation Engineering, CAM, and related technical disciplines to ensure customer requirements are accurately interpreted, prioritized, and deployed.

In addition to customer requirement ownership, this position is responsible for the performance, responsiveness, and effectiveness of the engineering services organization. The Director drives continuous improvement of engineering processes, resource deployment, communication, cycle times, and service delivery to ensure AIS consistently meets or exceeds customer expectations.

This role does not own product strategy, technology roadmaps, or product development direction. Instead, it is accountable for ensuring that engineering services are organized, aligned, and capable of successfully executing against customer requirements and business commitments.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Technical Requirements Leadership

• Serve as the executive owner of customer technical requirements across AIS.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer design requirements, performance expectations, qualification criteria, technical challenges, and deployment objectives.
• Translate customer technical requirements into actionable priorities across Applications Engineering, Design Engineering, Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, Simulation Engineering, CAM, and supporting engineering functions.
• Ensure customer requirements are consistently interpreted and executed throughout the engineering services organization.
• Establish disciplined processes to maintain alignment between customer requirements and engineering execution.
• Drive accountability for successful execution of customer commitments.
• Serve as the escalation point for technical requirement conflicts, prioritization decisions, and cross-functional execution challenges.

Engineering Services Operational Excellence

• Own the performance and effectiveness of the engineering services organization.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering responsiveness, technical support, communication, throughput, and execution quality.
• Improve engineering cycle times from customer engagement through design completion and release.
• Identify and eliminate organizational bottlenecks impacting customer responsiveness and project execution.
• Establish performance metrics focused on cycle time, quality, responsiveness, resource utilization, and customer satisfaction.
• Champion automation, standardization, and digitalization initiatives that improve scalability and operational efficiency.
• Build engineering service delivery models capable of supporting growth without proportional increases in headcount.

Functional Leadership & Alignment

• Provide leadership direction for Applications Engineering, Design Engineering, Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, Simulation Engineering, CAM, and related customer-facing technical functions.
• Establish customer-driven priorities, objectives, and execution expectations.
• Direct discipline leaders toward achieving customer commitments and organizational goals.
• Hold functional leaders accountable for execution performance, responsiveness, quality, and technical support effectiveness.
• Ensure all engineering disciplines operate as an integrated customer solutions organization.
• Lead regular operating reviews focused on customer deliverables, engineering performance, resource deployment, and execution readiness.

Cross-Functional Business Integration

• Ensure alignment between engineering services and other business functions including Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations.
• Drive effective communication and coordination across organizational boundaries.
• Ensure engineering execution supports broader business objectives and customer commitments.
• Remove organizational barriers that negatively impact customer outcomes.

Global Resource & Capacity Management

• Align engineering capacity and capability with customer demand and growth requirements.
• Optimize deployment of global engineering resources to support customer responsiveness across regions and time zones.
• Partner with organizational leaders on workforce planning, capability development, and succession planning.
• Build a globally diversified engineering organization capable of delivering consistent customer support and technical execution.

Qualifications

Leadership Expectations

The successful candidate will:

• Champion customer technical requirements throughout the organization.
• Lead with accountability, urgency, and operational discipline.
• Drive alignment across multiple engineering functions.
• Balance customer expectations with execution realities.
• Foster a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build scalable engineering service capabilities that support long-term business growth.
• Influence organizational priorities and resource allocation to maximize customer success.

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.