Principal Hardware Engineer

As a Principal Test/Product Engineer specializing in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and System-Level Test (SLT), you will drive the development, implementation, and optimization of test solutions for advanced semiconductor products such as GPUs, CPUs, and SOCs. You will play a key role in ensuring product quality, yield, and reliability throughout the entire lifecycle—from initial validation to high-volume manufacturing. Leveraging your expertise in both ATE and SLT, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust testing methodologies and contribute to world-class product performance. Responsibilities Own the design, development, and deployment of test strategies for both wafer/package-level (ATE) and system-level (SLT) testing. Develop, validate, and optimize automated test solutions using industry-leading ATE platforms (e.g., Advantest, Teradyne) and SLT platforms. Analyze yield, test coverage, and reliability data from both ATE and SLT processes; identify root causes and drive corrective actions. Partner with Design, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams to define DFT (Design for Test), test requirements, and coverage for both ATE and SLT. Optimize test flows and methodologies to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and ensure high product quality across both ATE and SLT environments. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and cross-functional peers. Interface with OSATs, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless test operations and rapid issue resolution for both ATE and SLT. Develop and maintain documentation for test plans, procedures, and results. Support engineering builds, qualification, and ramp-to-production activities for both ATE and SLT. Stay current with industry trends and best practices in ATE and SLT test engineering. Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; PhD preferred. 12 years of experience in semiconductor test/product engineering with a focus on both ATE and SLT. Demonstrated expertise in test program development on ATE platforms (Advantest, Teradyne) and SLT platforms. Strong analytical skills and experience with statistical analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Excel). Proficient in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl) and data automation techniques. Experience with DFT, yield analysis, failure analysis, and manufacturing test flows in both ATE and SLT contexts. Excellent social skills and experience working in cross-functional, global teams. Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor junior engineers. Experience with OSAT management and volume manufacturing preferred. Preferred Qualifications Experience with NVIDIA or Intel architectures and test methodologies. Familiarity with GPU, CPU, SOC product testing and qualification using both ATE and SLT. Knowledge of reliability testing, characterization, and qualification standards (JEDEC, etc.). Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.