Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality & Reliability

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Engineer with a strong background in semiconductor testing and Automated Test Equipment (ATE) to join a cross-functional Supplier Quality Management (SQM) function within an advanced semiconductor solutions business. This role is particularly suited to a semiconductor test engineer who wants to expand into supplier quality, audits and technical supplier management without moving completely away from testing . You will use your hands-on test-engineering knowledge to assess supplier processes, identify technical risks, review test-program implementation and drive improvements across external semiconductor test partners. The successful candidate will work closely with internal R&D, technology, operations, quality and external supplier teams supporting wafer sort, final test, burn-in and semiconductor reliability activities. Key Responsibilities 1. Semiconductor Test Engineering & Supplier Quality • Act as the technical quality interface between the organisation and external semiconductor test suppliers. • Apply hands-on semiconductor test-engineering knowledge to assess supplier capabilities, processes and technical risks. • Review and assess supplier test methodologies, test-program implementation an production test controls. • Evaluate supplier performance across yield, quality, reliability, test escapes and production stability. • Establish and monitor relevant supplier quality indicators, including test yield, PPM,test escapes, reliability failures and burn-in fallout. • Conduct regular technical and quality reviews with key suppliers. • Drive supplier improvement activities and support the development of robust, repeatable test processes. 2. ATE & Test-Program Review • Work with semiconductor test suppliers using Automated Test Equipment, particularly Advantest V93K or B93K platforms. • Review and assess the use of ATE test programmes in wafer sort and final test environments. • Understand how test programmes are structured, implemented, modified and used in production. Support or review test-program changes where required; direct test-program development experience is not essential. • Evaluate whether suppliers have sufficient technical understanding of the test programme rather than simply following customer instructions. • Review test data, test conditions, failure patterns and production results to identify potential process or test-related risks. • Work with internal engineering teams and suppliers to resolve test-program or test- process issues. • Essential technical requirement: Candidates must have practical ATE tester experience, ideally with Advantest V93K or B93K. Candidates do not need to be expert test-program developers, but must understand how to work with, review and make changes to an existing test programme. 3. Supplier Audits & Compliance • Plan and conduct technical and process audits at external semiconductor test suppliers. • Assess supplier compliance with applicable quality-management and automotive requirements. • Support audits involving IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC. • Review supplier process controls, test methodology, documentation, traceability and change-management practices. • Identify gaps, agree corrective actions and monitor closure of audit findings. • Develop SQM and formal audit knowledge as required; strong existing semiconductor test knowledge is the critical foundation for success. 4. Problem Solving & Technical Issue Resolution • Lead or support investigations into semiconductor test-related issues, including yield deterioration, test failures, test escapes, reliability failures and burn-in fallout. • Apply structured problem-solving techniques such as Root Cause Analysis, 8D, DOE and DMAIC. • Review supplier failure-analysis reports and validate the technical adequacy of proposed root causes. • Ensure effective containment and permanent corrective actions are implemented. • Work with suppliers and internal engineering teams to prevent recurrence. 5. Burn-In & Reliability Engineering • Support the technical review of supplier burn-in and semiconductor reliability processes. • Review the use and readiness of burn-in boxes, boards, sockets and related hardware. • Assess burn-in conditions, stress requirements, monitoring methods and failure criteria. • Review burn-in data, fallout trends and failure investigations. • Support reliability qualification and related supplier improvement activities. • Burn-in experience is advantageous but not mandatory. Candidates with strong semiconductor ATE and test-engineering experience may be considered if they demonstrate sound technical fundamentals and the ability to learn burn-in-related activities. 6. New Product & Test-Process Introduction • Work with R&D, technology and operations teams to assess supplier readiness for new products and semiconductor components. • Review test specifications, test-program readiness, correlation studies, test hardware/software, control plans and reliability requirements. • Assess supplier readiness for wafer sort, final test and related production activities. • Support qualification and validation of new test processes, equipment and test setups. • Identify potential test and supplier-quality risks during NPI and process introduction. 7. DFT & Test-Coverage Review • Review the effectiveness of production test coverage in collaboration with internal engineering teams and external suppliers. • Review, where applicable, test coverage involving Scan, ATPG, Memory BIST, Logic • BIST and Boundary Scan/JTAG. • Assess the potential impact of test-coverage gaps on test escapes, reliability and production quality. • Support initiatives to improve test robustness and minimise customer or field- return risks. 8. Supplier Change Management • Review supplier changes involving test programmes, equipment, processes, hardware, software and production locations. • Support assess…