The posting
Manufacturing & Production Test Engineer
Advantest Test Solutions, Inc. (ATS) is seeking a Manufacturing & Production Test Engineer for our Lake Forest, CA location. This entry-level hybrid role combines Manufacturing Engineering responsibilities with dedicated production test-program coding and support embedded within the Production/Test and Manufacturing Engineering team. The engineer develops, updates, debugs, validates, and maintains production test programs within approved requirements and change-control processes, while supporting manufacturing processes, equipment, automation, fixtures, tooling, and documentation. The role provides local ownership of routine coding and maintenance work, first-line troubleshooting, priority-list follow-through, and test release readiness to reduce repeated handoffs and delays waiting for Engineering availability. Structured training and mentorship from existing test-program owners will support a phased transfer of appropriate work, while Engineering remains involved in design-level changes and complex root cause issues. The role supports current products, new product introductions, and production ramps. The position requires on-site attendance at our Lake Forest, CA office.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide day to day engineering support for assigned manufacturing processes and production test programs. Track and address development, update, troubleshooting, and pending items on the production test program priority list; document status, escalate blockers, and follow through to closure and production readiness.
- Develop, code, debug, update, and maintain production test programs as hardware, firmware, test limits, and production requirements change. Work within approved specifications and change-control processes in coordination with Test Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality, and Production.
- Own validation and release readiness for assigned test program updates, including version control, configuration records, documented validation results, and coordination of required approvals before production deployment.
- Handle routine test program coding and maintenance locally to reduce repeated Engineering handoffs and wait time, allowing Engineering specialists to focus on higher complexity design and root cause issues.
- Provide first line troubleshooting when test programs fail or produce unexpected results. Analyze program behavior, station configuration, and production and test data to distinguish software or test issues from potential hardware failures; resolve routine issues locally and escalate design-level or complex root cause issues to Engineering specialists.
- Help set up and support new test stations, including connecting and configuring peripherals and test equipment, installing and configuring required drivers and software, verifying communication between the computer and test equipment, and troubleshooting hardware and software interface issues.
- Tailor existing test programs to support specific testing requirements, and set up external software required for testing, such as Vivado, Atmel Studio, and Uniflash.
- Assist during first article testing and when validating new test program versions.
- Develop and maintain work instructions, troubleshooting guides, training materials, dashboards, and process documentation for production personnel.
- Support manufacturing equipment, automation, fixtures, and tooling through evaluation, implementation, qualification, operator training, and sustaining activities.
- Support new product introductions and production ramps across Manufacturing Engineering and Production Test Engineering. Coordinate test-program and test-station updates for board, system, hardware, and firmware revisions; review test readiness, process requirements, tooling, documentation, training, and issue closure to prevent test-program support from becoming a production bottleneck.
- Participate in a structured development and training plan with mentorship from existing test-program owners. Progressively assume appropriate coding, debugging, maintenance, validation, and release readiness responsibilities as training milestones are completed; transfer test and process knowledge to technicians and operators and establish backup coverage for critical production activities.
- Support PFMEA, root cause analysis, corrective action, process control, and continuous-improvement activities.
- Carry out all other Production Test and Manufacturing Engineering duties as assigned.
Requirements, Education & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; candidates completing a relevant degree may also be considered for a structured development pathway.
- Foundational programming, debugging, or scripting capability applicable to production test-program development, test automation, data analysis, or manufacturing equipment; examples include Python, C/C++, C#, LabVIEW, or equivalent languages and tools.
- Ability to troubleshoot electrical, software, test, and manufacturing process issues using structured problem-solving methods and technical documentation.
- Ability to analyze production and test data, document results clearly, and communicate technical issues with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Internship, co-op, academic project, or early-career experience in manufacturing, electronics, automation, software, or production test is preferred.
- Exposure to automated test equipment, electronic assemblies, test fixtures, instrumentation, or system-level test environments is preferred.
- Experience installing and configuring drivers, instrument and peripheral interfaces, and development or programming tools (e.g., Vivado, Atmel Studio, Uniflash) is preferred.
- Familiarity with version control, software change documentation, and validation practices is preferred. Experience with SQL, Power BI, MES, or production data dashboards is also preferred.
- Knowledge of PFMEA, root cause analysis, corrective action, Lean manufacturing, process control, or equipment qualification is preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow a structured training and mentorship plan, and adapt in a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment.
- Must be available to work onsite in our Lake Forest, CA facility.
The actual base pay offered will depend on factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, geographic location, market data, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made individually based on the specific role and candidate. Typically, new hires are not placed at the top of the salary range upon hire. In addition to base salary, Advantest provides a competitive total rewards package that may include bonus opportunities, health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, paid time off, and other company-sponsored benefits.
