About the Job: Texas Instruments is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Product Development Engineering (PDE) Product Test Technician to join our LFAB team. This role serves as a critical "Quality Gatekeeper" within our wafer fabrication process. You will be responsible for the visual and statistical inspection of wafer maps to identify defect patterns (signatures), ensuring that only high-quality material proceeds to final testing and our customers.
This is not just repetitive execution of manual tasks; it is a technical role that requires high-level pattern recognition, logical troubleshooting, and a mindset geared toward automation. As you grow in this role, you will transition from executing established protocols to consulting with engineers on process improvements and utilizing AI-driven automation to streamline manufacturing workflows.
Key Responsibilities:
- Visual Pattern Recognition & Quality Control: Perform high-level inspection of wafer maps (PNG die-level images) to identify defect "signatures." Compare observed patterns against a technical Wafer Map Library to determine if failures are representative of known device issues.
- Technical Disposition (Inking): Execute "Inking" protocols to exclude suspect dies (Post Probe Outliers) from moving to the next manufacturing stage, preventing "underkill" (shipping bad parts) and "overkill" (unnecessary scrap).
- Data-Driven Quality Support: Monitor Statistical Bin Limits (SBL) and Common Probe Outlier (CPO) thresholds. Identify gaps in automated detection and escalate findings to PDE Engineers for further analysis.
- Cross-Functional Communication: Act as a technical liaison between PDE and back-end Probe Sites. Provide logistical priority updates and technical troubleshooting support (e.g., identifying hardware-related probe touchdown issues via dashboard analysis).
- Process Documentation: Maintain the Wafer Map Library (Confluence) and prepare technical documentation for Qualification Lots, including baseline yield reviews and hold status reports.
- Continuous Improvement : Identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Investigate "misses" in the process and utilize Data Analysis skills to Pareto and characterize the issues and develop procedures to close gaps. Identify opportunities to automate repetitive tasks.
Minimum requirements:
High School diploma/GED
18 years of age or older
One of the following:
2 years of semiconductor experience as Technician OR
8 years of non-semiconductor/military Technician experience
Ability to work 12 hour compressed work schedule
Flexible to work day or night shift that will include one weekend shift and holidays
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior experience in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing.
- Proficiency in MS Office, specifically advanced Excel (data importing, building charts, defining tables, and data validation).
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, interrupt-driven environment.
- Demonstrated strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work in teams and collaborate effectively with people in different functions, Probe Sites, PDE Engineers and QRA.
- Ability to take the initiative and drive for results.
- Strong time management skills that enable on-time project delivery amid the day-to-day responsibilities.Technical Software Proficiency: Experience with Testware utilities, TWMapEditor, and web-based manufacturing interfaces (MLIT, SMS Web, TLC, WEPC, PDE Hold pages, etc.).
- Data Visualization: Ability to create and utilize dashboards in Spotfire to track manufacturing metrics.
- Analytical Skills: Proven ability to perform Pareto analysis and utilize Model-Based Problem Solving to drive root-cause analysis.
- Automation Mindset: Demonstrated interest or experience in automating manual tasks developing Perl, Python scripts or AI-augmented coding.
- Semiconductor Knowledge: Familiarity with parametric test data, wafer mapping, SBL/CPO limits, and the relationship between probe results and final yield.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to build influential relationships across different functional groups (PDE, QRA, and MFG).
- Basic Linux skills (SSH, VNC, directory navigation, command execution, piping, grep etc.).
Texas Instruments will not sponsor job applicants for visas or work authorization for this position.
Minimum Requirements:
High School diploma/GED
18 years of age or older
One of the following:
2 years of semiconductor experience as Technician OR
8 years of non-semiconductor/military Technician experience
Ability to work 12 hour compressed work schedule
Flexible to work day or night shift that will include one weekend shift and holidays
Preferred Technical Skills:
- Advanced Excel Proficiency: Ability to import external data, use Pivot Tables, build complex charts, and utilize data validation.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with an exceptional eye for detail.
- Ability to thrive in an "interrupt-driven" environment, managing urgent engineering requests alongside routine tasks.
- Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Spotfire, Tableau).
- Experience with database querying (e.g., SQL).
- Exposure to automation/scripting logic (e.g., Python, Perl) or an interest in using AI to develop automation tools.
- Familiarity with parametric test data and the relationship between wafer-level testing and final product yield.
- Basic Linux Skills: Familiarity with command-line navigation (SSH, VNC, directory navigation, and command execution).
Texas Instruments will not sponsor job applicants for visas or work authorization for this position.