Job Description

Director, Software Engineering

Position Overview

We are seeking a Director of Software Engineering to lead Hardware System Integration, Handler, Test Engineering, and Portfolio Engineering for semiconductor test platforms supporting SLT, Burn-In, HPC, and ATE.

The role leads global teams responsible for equipment-control software, material handling integration, test engineering, factory interfaces, production data, and shared software capabilities.

This position is expected to be highly technical and hands-on with software and hardware, with approximately 50% of time spent directly coding, debugging, and solving complex technical issues across the semiconductor test ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate engineering strategy into engineering plans, technical milestones, resource plans, and delivery schedules.
• Lead software managers, technical leads, developers, and test engineers across Thermal, System Integration, Handler, Test, and Portfolio Engineering.
• Drive execution across multiple products and customer programs and ensure teams deliver committed milestones.
• Align software development, integration, validation, and release schedules with SW Product Management and Hardware TPMs.
• Lead software integration across testers, handlers, thermal systems, device interfaces, PLCs, firmware, and equipment-control systems.
• Lead development of communication interfaces for material handling, factory automation, and factory management systems.
• Lead GEM/SECS, EAC/EAP, lot processing, alarms, availability reporting, equipment telemetry, and production data capabilities.
• Lead automated validation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, regression, endurance testing, system qualification, and production readiness.
• Improve throughput, reliability, availability, recovery, and downtime through system performance analysis.
• Drive reuse and standardization of APIs, SDKs, messaging, data models, logging, diagnostics, and common software components.
• Ensure customer requirements are implemented as scalable, configurable product capabilities.
• Track milestones, dependencies, risks, quality, integration readiness, and release criteria across the portfolio.
• Improve software development, testing, validation, and release processes.
• Coordinate execution with Product Management, Program Management, Business Development, Hardware, Firmware, QA, Production, Applications, and Product Support.
• Lead adoption of AI-assisted software development, testing, diagnostics, and documentation.
• Conduct architecture, design, integration, and release-readiness reviews.
• Present technical and program-readiness reviews to customers and internal leadership.
• Support customer technical discussions, system bring-up, escalations, and production deployments.
• Conduct performance reviews, set goals, mentor leaders, and support succession planning.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• B.S in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering with a strong software background, Software Engineering, or related field; M.S. preferred.
• 15+ years of software engineering or related technical experience.
• 10+ years of technical engineering management experience.
• 3+ years managing a multi-tier organization, including managers or supervisors.
• Significant experience with semiconductor equipment-control software, material handling systems, factory automation, or complex hardware/software systems.
• Strong knowledge of GEM/SECS and related SEMI standards.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor test and measurement principles.
• Experience integrating software with testers, handlers, thermal systems, PLCs, firmware, drivers, and production equipment.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, messaging, telemetry, databases, and equipment-control software.
• Experience with C#/.NET, C++, Python, or similar production software environments.
• Experience managing multiple products and customer programs, including schedules, resources, dependencies, and technical risks.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD, automated testing, hardware-in-the-loop validation, release management, observability, and production support.
• Proven ability to lead global engineering teams and drive accountability.
• Strong customer, technical, executive, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Must be willing to work onsite in our Lake Forest, CA office.

Preferred / Plus Qualifications

• Experience with SLT, Burn-In, ATE, HPC, handlers, or semiconductor capital equipment.
• Experience with EAP/EAC, lot processing, factory automation, equipment telemetry, availability reporting, or manufacturing data systems.
• Experience with handler, thermal, PLC, and tester integration.
• Familiarity with Apache Pulsar, Kafka, RabbitMQ, MQTT, or similar messaging technologies.
• Experience delivering on-premises software for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience modernizing legacy systems while maintaining compatibility with installed environments.
• Experience applying AI to software development, testing, diagnostics, or documentation.
• Experience leading engineering teams across the U.S. and international locations.

Additional Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• On-site presence in the Lake Forest, CA office is required.

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.

Salary Range

$170k - $185k (depending on experience)

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.