Characterization Technician

Job Summary:

The Characterization Technician is a role within Semtech's Backend Characterization Engineering team, based at our Aguascalientes, Mexico site and working in close coordination with counterparts across the UK, Canada, and the United States. Working primarily an afternoon and overnight shift (3:00 PM – 12:00 AM), with flexibility to start earlier if conditions permit, the Characterization Technician is responsible for actively monitoring and running up to 10 characterization test benches during off-hours — including changing parts, debugging, and resolving issues as they arise — to extend the laboratory's operational window and ensure continuous execution of characterization programs. The role also safeguards equipment and devices under test and supports the broader operations that keep the lab running smoothly.

Responsibilities:

1 Hands-on operation of measurement equipment (70%)

• Bench and Equipment Operation — Hands-on operation of characterization test benches and measurement equipment across up to 10 concurrent setups, including thermo-stream and TEC temperature control systems, device-under-test (DUT) handling, and part swaps into PCB sockets.

• Automation Flow Management — Managing the automation flow by initiating Python-based characterization runs for new parts, monitoring ongoing measurements, capturing and validating test results, performing first-level troubleshooting — identifying equipment-level issues, resolving automation errors, and executing system restarts as needed.

• Bench Startup, Shutdown, and Safety — Following proper startup and shutdown procedures at the beginning and end of each shift and adhering to all laboratory safety and handling guidelines throughout.

• Data logging and shift handoff — Ensuring test results are properly saved and organized, and communicating bench status, incidents, and actions taken to the day-shift engineering team through a shift log or handoff summary. Overnight shifts fail without good handoff, and this is a small responsibility that has outsized impact on daytime engineering productivity.

• Escalation to on-call engineering — When bench issues exceed the scope of first-level troubleshooting, escalating to the appropriate engineering resource via the agreed communication channel (Teams, email, phone) and documenting the incident. Clarifies for the technician that they're not expected to solve everything alone and gives them explicit permission to escalate — which reduces stalled benches and prevents them from taking on more than their scope.

2. Calibration support (30%)

• Calibration Preparation and Documentation — Supporting equipment preparation for calibration cycles, including photographic documentation, protective packaging, coordination of logistics paperwork, and basic quality assurance activities.

• Laboratory Access Oversight — Serving as the responsible on-site presence during laboratory access by external personnel, such as cleaning staff or maintenance contractors.

• Facilities Monitoring — Overseeing supporting facilities such as the machine room and compressor infrastructure, ensuring proper operating conditions are maintained throughout the shift.

• Consumables and Inventory Tracking — Monitoring stock of laboratory consumables (ESD bags, cables, adapters, sockets, spare parts) and flagging replenishment needs to the responsible engineering resource.

• Shipping and Receiving Support — Supporting incoming and outgoing shipments of equipment, boards, and parts during the shift, including preparation of shipping documentation and coordination with couriers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education — Minimum but not limited to a technical degree (TSU), technical high school certification, or equivalent in Electronics, Electromechanics, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, or a related discipline.

• Laboratory or Test Environment Experience — Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in an electronics laboratory, test floor, or manufacturing test environment.

• Device and Board Handling — Practical experience handling semiconductor devices and populated PCBs, including socket insertion and removal, ESD-safe practices, and careful management of cables, fixtures, and thermal interfaces.

• Troubleshooting and Judgment — Ability to diagnose and solve routine bench issues independently, combined with judgment for recognizing when an issue must be escalated to engineering.

• Shift Availability — Availability and willingness to work the assigned afternoon and overnight shift (3:00 PM – 12:00 AM), Monday through Friday, with occasional flexibility during critical programs.

• Autonomous Work — Proven ability to work independently and with minimal supervision for extended periods, maintaining discipline in following documented procedures and laboratory safety guidelines.

• Language — Basic to intermediate English, sufficient to read technical documentation and procedures.

• Computer and Documentation Skills — Basic computer proficiency and the discipline to maintain accurate shift logs, incident records, and equipment documentation.

• Attention to Detail — Careful, consistent execution of setup and handling procedures, where small errors can invalidate long test runs or damage devices and equipment.

• Ownership and Reliability — Takes responsibility for the state of the laboratory during the shift and for the continuity of running test campaigns.

• Clear Communication — Reports status, incidents, and open issues concisely and accurately, in a form the day-shift team can act on immediately.

• Learning Orientation — Willingness to cross-train on broader characterization activities and to grow technical depth in measurement, automation, and laboratory practices over time.

Desired Qualifications:

• Measurement Equipment Familiarity — Working knowledge of standard bench instrumentation such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, source measure units, signal generators, and spectrum or network analyzers, including correct connection, configuration, and safe handling.

• Automation Flow Operation — Ability to launch, monitor, and restart Python-based automated test sequences within an existing framework, interpret console output and error messages, and distinguish between equipment, setup, and script failures. Script development is not required for this role.

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