Principal Member of Technical Staff – IC Test Architecture & Silicon Validation 

We are looking for a Principal Member of Technical Staff – IC Test Architecture & Silicon Validation to lead the testing and validation of advanced semiconductor technology demonstrators. 

You will translate chip and system specifications into a practical validation strategy, define the on-chip features required for effective testing and debugging, and lead silicon bring-up and characterization. 

Working as a technical lead through a project matrix, you will coordinate activities across IC design, packaging, PCB, firmware, software, system integration, and laboratory teams. The role combines system-level thinking, cross-functional leadership, and hands-on hardware debugging. 

What you will do

• Translate functional and performance specifications into measurable test requirements, acceptance criteria, and validation plans. 
• Define how the chip will be tested from wafer level through packaged-device and system-level demonstration. 
• Specify on-chip test and debug capabilities such as loopbacks, built-in self-test, JTAG, test buses, internal monitors, calibration functions, and dedicated test structures. 
• Review the design before tape-out to ensure sufficient controllability, observability, and diagnostic coverage. 
• Define the test environment, including probe requirements, custom PCBs, fixtures, power and clock infrastructure, thermal control, measurement equipment, and automation. 
• Lead first-silicon bring-up, characterization, and troubleshooting. 
• Correlate measured results with specifications, simulations, and system models. 
• Characterize functionality, performance, and operating margins across relevant voltage, temperature, timing, workload, thermal, and interface conditions. 
• Isolate issues across the IC, package, PCB, firmware, software, and measurement setup. 
• Own test plans, technical deliverables, risks, equipment needs, and test-readiness reviews. 
• Coordinate multidisciplinary contributors and communicate conclusions and recommendations to project stakeholders. 
• Develop reusable and reproducible test methods, automation, and reporting practices. 
• Interreact with external test house and follow-up the project.
• Coordination and preparation towards ATE and qualification.

What we do for you

This is a central role in turning advanced semiconductor concepts into working silicon, with the opportunity to influence testability from initial architecture through system-level demonstration. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment and directly contribute to the maturity and credibility of next-generation technology demonstrators. 

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You hold a Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering, electronics, microelectronics, applied physics, or a related field. 
• You have strong experience in IC testing, post-silicon validation, silicon characterization, or system validation. 
• You have brought complex ICs, chiplets, or semiconductor systems through first-silicon bring-up. 
• You understand analog, mixed-signal, digital, and system-level behavior. 
• You have experience defining test, debug, monitoring, calibration, or observability features before tape-out. 
• You can interpret specifications, architectures, schematics, simulations, package information, and PCB designs. 
• You understand measurement accuracy, calibration, uncertainty, and correlation. 
• You can lead technical activities through a project matrix without formal line authority. 
• You combine a structured, system-level approach with hands-on laboratory and debugging skills. 
• You communicate technical results clearly in plans, reports, and design reviews. 

Experience in several of the following areas is an asset: 

• Wafer probing, Known Good Die validation, package-level testing, DFT, BIST, JTAG, or silicon-debug architectures. 
• Analog, mixed-signal, RF, high-speed I/O, power-management, sensor, or silicon-photonics testing. 
• Electrical, signal-integrity, power-integrity, thermal, jitter, eye-diagram, or S-parameter measurements. 
• Test automation and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, or similar tools. 
• PCB bring-up, firmware, chiplets, advanced packaging, or 2.5D/3D integration. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.