Director, Product & Test Engineering

Description

Synaptics is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As the go-to partner for the world’s most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, Veros™ wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We’re making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play.

Overview

Synaptics is looking for an Director, Product & Test Engineering to drive end-to-end NPI execution across Synaptics' portfolio. This leader will oversee diverse teams across NPI, test strategy, silicon qualification, yield learning, and HVM readiness, partnering with Design, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain. The role demands technical depth, operational rigor, and people leadership to deliver results across multiple business units. This position reports to the VP, Operations NPI Engineering.

The typical base pay range for this position is USD $186,000 - $293,700 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, equity, and other benefits. Note that compensation listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

Responsibilities & Competencies

Job Duties

Product & Test Engineering Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and scale a high-performing global Product and Test Engineering team. Foster a culture of cradle-to-grave ownership, ensuring end-to-end accountability for silicon quality, test coverage, yield and overall manufacturability
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the team to define objectives, and success metrics. Establish processes, and reporting mechanisms.
• Communicate with executives, sponsors, and cross-functional teams to manage expectations and ensure alignment
• Track progress against milestones, KPIs, and deliverables. Provide regular status updates to leadership
• Drive robust NPI execution, including silicon qualification, DFT/DFR, yield learning, and high-volume product ramps. Use data-driven insights to inform design improvements, test coverage, and process optimizations
• Own test strategy and execution from pre-silicon through high-volume manufacturing
• Oversee test program development, optimization, and release to manufacturing
  
  

Operational Excellence & Scale

• Drive predictable NPI execution, meeting schedule, quality, and cost targets
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Planning to ensure smooth product ramps
• Drive standardization across platforms and processes, and SW/HW reuse across product lines
• Support expansion of engineering capabilities in lower-cost geographies
  
  

Cost, Margin & Business Impact

• Partner with Supply Chain and Finance to support margin improvement initiatives
• Drive test cost optimization, test time reduction, and standard cost improvements
• Manage program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure financial accountability
• Ensure alignment between engineering decisions and business objectives
  
  

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with BU and other Operations leaders towards strategic objectives
• Serve as a senior technical and operational voice in NPI and business reviews
• Influence without authority across complex, matrixed organizations
  
  

People & Organization Development

• Build, mentor, and retain high-performing global teams
• Develop next-level leaders within Product and Test Engineering
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Allocate resources across projects, balancing priorities and dependencies
  
  

Competencies

• In depth understanding of the silicon development flow, and the qualification and characterization requirements to ensure a manufacturing-worthy product
• Ability to lead and motivate a diverse team of engineers, managers and directors to achieve key priorities, to provide clear direction, to actively delegate, communicate, coach, and hold fellow team members accountable
• Ability to influence and lead through change and is motivated by the challenge of a fast-paced, high-growth global environment
• High integrity, responsive with an inherent sense of urgency and accountability
• Ability to balance multiple competing priorities, with very strong attention to detail, able to transition easily between the strategic and the detailed
• Ability to solve problems that are not clearly defined and require in depth understanding of technology and organizational objectives
• Experience in working effectively cross-functionally with program managers and engineering, building successful partnerships
• Excellent communication that is clear, concise, and compelling
  
  

Qualifications (Requirements)

• Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred) in Electrical Engineering or related field or equivalent
• 15 years of experience in Product and/or Test engineering, including 7 years managing teams
• Extensive experience managing large, complex semiconductor programs with a track record of successful project execution
• Expertise with consumer, automotive and industrial qualification standards (e.g. JESD-47, AEC-Q100, etc.).
• Financial and risk management experience
• Proficiency with tools like MS Project, Jira, Agile or similar
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans in line with the overall business strategy of the company
• Strong track record of inspiring and motivating teams and other managers fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
• Demonstrated effective leadership in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• 25% domestic and international travel is required
  
  

Belief in Diversity

Synaptics is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.