Principal Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineering
At a glance
Senior Engineering Leadership role at Analogdevices. US, CA, Milpitas, Tasman · full-time · $160,276–$232,087 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Investigate failures from reliability tests, production, and returned products, then define and carry out the analysis plan
- Use physical and electrical methods in-house or with outside labs to locate defects in semiconductor devices and packages
- Run product qualification and reliability stress tests, including HTOL, TC, and HAST
- Write failure findings and 8D corrective reports, and help teams resolve customer quality concerns
- Work with design, manufacturing, test, and quality teams on corrective actions and reliability improvements
What you bring
- A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related STEM field
- At least five years working in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis
- Practical use of material, electrical, and fault-isolation analysis methods, plus knowledge of device physics and failure mechanisms
- Experience with JEDEC reliability procedures, statistical analysis, and coordinating external reliability or failure-analysis labs
- Strong technical reporting skills and experience using data-analysis tools such as JMP or Python
Who this fits
This senior engineering role suits someone who can lead hands-on semiconductor failure investigations while coordinating with internal teams and outside labs. It includes customer quality work and requires travel about ten percent of the time. Applicants who need access to technical data may face an export-license review; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and protected individuals are excepted from that review.
From the employer
About Analog Devices
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Support root cause failure investigations arising from reliability testing, manufacturing, and field returns.
- Develop and execute detailed failure analysis plans.
- Coordinate / conduct hands-on physical and electrical failure analysis (FA) using a variety of tools in-house and at outside labs (e.g., SEM, EDS, CSAM, X-ray, bench characterization).
- Perform material and defect characterization to identify failure modes in semiconductors, packages, and assemblies.
- Prepare clear and technically sound failure analysis reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Execute product qualification and reliability stress testing on semiconductor products (e.g., HTOL, TC, HAST).
- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and quality engineering teams to ensure robust failure resolution.
- Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) based on FA findings. Generate 8D corrective action reports.
- Assist with customer communications to resolve quality issues and provide technical insights.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in product reliability, analysis methodologies, and lab capability development.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related STEM discipline.
- 5 years of industry experience in semiconductor reliability or failure analysis.
- Hands-on experience with FA techniques such as:
- Material analysis: SEM, EDS, optical profiler.
- Electrical testing: Oscilloscopes, curve tracers, thermal imaging.
- Fault isolation: Photon emission, OBIRCH, X-ray, CSAM.
- Understanding of semiconductor device physics, packaging technologies, and common failure mechanisms (physics of failure).
- Experience analyzing failures caused by thermal, electrical, and mechanical stress.
- Familiar with JEDEC reliability standards and procedures.
- Project management experience with external reliability and FA labs.
- Strong statistical data analysis capability. Experience with data analysis packages (JMP, Python, etc.).
- Strong technical writing skills and ability to create detailed FA documentation, reliability reports, and qualification reports.
- Good verbal communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated organizational skills, with the ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s or Ph. D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science.
- Experience with power and/or analog/mixed-signal ICs, or power IC failure modes.
- Experience with SiP architecture Reliability/FA and packaging failure mechanisms (e.g., electromigration, delamination).
- Experience supporting customer quality investigations and field return analysis.
- Prior reliability test and FA engagements with OSAT suppliers a plus.
- Exposure to reliability modeling and risk assessment methods such as FMEA, DOE, and Weibull analysis.
- HTOL and HAST board layout and schematic interpretation.
For positions requiring access to technical data, Analog Devices, Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position – except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) – may have to go through an export licensing review process.
Analog Devices is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, union membership, and political affiliation, or any other legally protected group.
EEO is the Law: Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.
Job Req Type: ExperiencedRequired Travel: Yes, 10% of the time
Shift Type: 1st Shift/DaysThe expected wage range for a new hire into this position is $160,276 to $232,087.
Actual wage offered may vary depending on work location, experience, education, training, external market data, internal pay equity, or other bona fide factors.
This position qualifies for a discretionary performance-based bonus which is based on personal and company factors.
This position includes medical, vision and dental coverage, 401k, paid vacation, holidays, and sick time, and other benefits.