“As Test Developers, we give value to the device by testing its specifications.”

Glimpse into an exciting field of work

What do Test Development Engineers at Infineon do?

As a Test Development Engineer, you are the quality gate that every single Infineon chip has to pass. Nothing could be more important, because dependable and reliable chips are what customers expect from us. Your tasks include developing and implementing complex procedures for testing chip functionality and safety. As such, Test Development Engineers play a key role in the performance of Infineon’s products. It takes technical skill, eloquence and accuracy – plus the ability to work in a team – to get the job done.

Interview

Our customers trust Infineon products, so every device needs to be fully functional and reliable.

You are involved in the entire lifecycle of a device – from development to delivery all the way to the end of the product life. That puts you in touch with a lot of people at Infineon.

Martin Hassler Test Development Engineer Development Center Villach (DCV), Infineon Austria

What are your tasks as a Test Development Engineer?

I work with isolated gate drivers, which are devices that switch loads very efficiently. Here isolated means that the device can withstand high voltage without being damaged. My job is to develop test hardware and software for automated test equipment, which tests every single device and checks that it is fully functional before it is dispatched to the customer. You could say that my job is to ensure the value of our products.

What are the challenges in your job? How do you deal with them?

Usually we have very short time-to-market periods. I get involved in the very beginning and see the process all the way to the end – to the point that I actually have the device in my hands that’s going to be sent to the customer. Good organization is paramount for handling the stress. But you are amply rewarded, as you can really explore the device as you come up with the testing procedures. An added bonus is the frequent travel and chance to see different parts of the world. It never gets boring, as different challenges present themselves everyday.

What has been the biggest highlight of your job until now?

For me it’s been developing a test methodology together with a colleague and presenting it at an international conference. By the way, the conference took place in Orlando, Florida, directly beside Universal Studios theme park. Not a bad location, if you ask me.

What special talents do you need for your job?

First and foremost, a solid knowledge of electronics and programming is necessary. Plus, it takes strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The job puts me in contact with people from different backgrounds, both internally and externally. So I need strong negotiation skills and an agile mindset to come up with solutions everyone can be satisfied with. I do a good deal of work on my own, though, so I need to be structured and efficient in my approach. Then there’s the issue of persistence, which is really important when difficulties arise – you have to stick with a topic and see it to the end.

What is your typical day like?

I usually start work early – around six or seven in the morning – to still have time to do some remote sessions with coworkers in Asia before they call it a day. The first thing I do is check my inbox and look after any urgent issues that may have come up in the night. I spend a good time of the day in meetings – some face to face, others remote. We go over aspects like defining new test concepts, or debugging test programs. If production reports any problems, everything can change in an instant, because I have to tend to the topic right away. You have to stay flexible.

Requirements at a glance

Business trips

You work closely with project team members from all over the world, which means your job includes frequent international travel.

Stakeholder management

You are a true team player. You love to work in groups with people from different departments, such as R&D and production.

Strategic and operative work

You develop and implement test procedures to come up with reliable results and thereby ensure the functionality and safety of our products.

Personality

This job requires a propensity for both independent & team work.

Making decisions

You have endurance and problem-solving competencies. You have an agile mindset to come up with solutions that many people can agree on.

Work environment

You work independently and in a structured manner to prioritize your tasks and manage your workload.

Requirements at a glance

The seven “hats” of a Test Development Engineer

As a Test Development Engineer you are involved in the entire project lifecycle, from the product idea to the product disclosure. You are confronted with different challenges everyday as a:

problem solver
knowledge sharer
improver
quality manager
product developer
game changer
innovator

Skills - this is what it takes to be successful as a Test Development Engineer:

An affinity for measurements and programming
The ability to communicate to the point with project team members from different backgrounds and in different locations
The willingness to make compromises and strike a balance between the competing demands of time and quality
A desire to learn from the past by sharing your experiences regarding test procedures and test programs
Patience and stamina to achieve the desired results
The capacity to go with the flow when things change and adapt your schedule accordingly
An appreciation of project work and being used to meeting delivery schedules
Problem-solving skills – and if a readjustment in a test procedure has to be made, you are happy to take on the challenge
A focus on solutions, while staying open to new ideas and feedback
The analytical ability to quickly assess situations and make informed decisions
An understanding of internal and external customers’ needs, and using those insights to develop tailored solutions
A technical background, basic programming knowledge, and some prior experience in the area of electrical engineering

You are responsible for:

Ensuring the quality and functionality of products
Defining action plans for product testing
Developing and implementing test procedures
Optimizing and debugging test programs

Test Developer at Infineon

What makes this a dream job?

If there’s one thing a Test Development Engineer doesn’t know, it’s boredom, as you are confronted with a host of challenges every day. What follows are the positive moments and experiences after successfully mastering those challenges.

A Test Development Engineer at Infineon is part of the innovation process. You get involved with products as early as the idea phase, long before they are introduced to the market. For that reason you have a high degree of identification with the products – . In addition, you assume responsibility at an early stage and have the possibility to contribute to technological progress in many interesting areas.

You work closely with project team members from all over the world and from different backgrounds – thus, you have a lot of learning opportunities.

Infineon develops products that make sense and contribute to technological progress in many different areas, such as solutions for assistance systems and driverless cars.