Senior Software & Systems Engineer – Semiconductor Failure Analysis Tools

Location: San Jose, CA
Salary: $130,000 – $175,000 per year + bonus
Employment Type: Full‑time

Overview

Step into a rare engineering role where advanced software development meets cutting‑edge semiconductor diagnostics. Youll join a highly specialized team building multi‑million‑dollar instrumentation used by the worlds leading semiconductor manufacturers.

These systems integrate laser scanning microscopy, photon emission analysis, precision motion control, and CAD-based device navigation to pinpoint defects at the transistor level—dramatically accelerating silicon debug and improving yield.

If youre excited by complex instrumentation, real-time system design, and deep semiconductor physics, this is a career-defining opportunity.

What Youll Do

As a Senior Software & Systems Engineer, you will architect and build sophisticated control software that powers high‑precision diagnostic tools. Your work spans optics, electronics, device physics, data visualization, and system-level integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for controlling precision optical, mechanical, and electronic subsystems used in semiconductor failure analysis.
• Transform complex physical diagnostics into intuitive, highly usable software tools in close collaboration with hardware engineers and FA specialists.
• Design fast, responsive control systems that interface with CAD navigation environments for real-time device mapping and transistor-level targeting.
• Build high-performance user interfaces (C#/WPF) to visualize waveforms, emission signatures, images, and device layouts.
• Lead integration across lasers, motion-control stages, optical assemblies, timing electronics, and measurement tools including oscilloscopes and source meters.
• Troubleshoot complex interactions between hardware and software, optimizing performance across the full system.
• Document architectures, workflows, and test plans to ensure long-term reliability and maintainability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Semiconductor Device Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years developing control software for scientific, diagnostic, or semiconductor instrumentation.
• Strong programming skills in C++, C#, and WPF on Windows environments.
• Solid understanding of semiconductor device physics and failure mechanisms.
• Experience with CAD navigation tools (e.g., Synopsys Avalon or similar).

Preferred Experience

• Hands-on exposure to failure analysis techniques such as TIVA, LIVA, LADA, OBIRCH, or photon emission.
• Experience with laser microscopy or optics-driven instrumentation.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces such as USB, PCIe, FPGA, RS‑232/485.
• Background with semiconductor equipment companies and complex multi-domain systems.
• Experience in real‑time data processing and visualization of large scientific datasets.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Unique Technology Mix
  Work at the intersection of optics, electronics, CAD data, and high‑performance software—on systems few engineers ever touch.
• High Impact
  Your solutions will help identify defects in devices used across smartphones, data centers, automotive electronics, and more.
• Complex, Challenge‑Rich Engineering
  Develop real-time control systems, advanced visualizations, and precision instrumentation inside one integrated platform.
• Collaborative Environment
  Partner with experts in optics, electronics, and semiconductor physics to push the capabilities of modern failure analysis.

Benefits

• Medical (PPO & HMO), Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
  Effective the first of the month following hire.
• 401(k) Plan
  Eligible after 90 days.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  Eligible after 90 days.
• Quarterly Discretionary Bonus Program
• Paid Time Off: 16 days per year
• Supportive, collaborative team environment