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Freelance Probe Card Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nokia

Senior ATE Wafer Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) platforms, probe card development, software and ... Some experience with scripting and simple programming skills. * Critical thinking skills to debug ...

Nokia

Senior ATE Wafer Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) platforms, probe card development, software and ... Some experience with scripting and simple programming skills. * Critical thinking skills to debug ...

Marvell

Test Engineering Director

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Drive strategic partnerships with Tier 1 ATE vendors, OSATs, probe card suppliers, and ... Build and manage high-performing engineering teams responsible for customer sample validation ...

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Freelance Probe Card Engineer information

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How much do freelance probe card engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance probe card engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance Probe Card Engineers when working with multiple clients?

Freelance Probe Card Engineers often juggle projects for several clients, each with distinct testing requirements, timelines, and communication styles. Managing these diverse expectations while ensuring high-quality, timely delivery can be challenging. Additionally, remote collaboration with in-house engineering teams requires strong organizational and communication skills to keep all stakeholders aligned and to clarify technical specifications. Staying up to date with evolving semiconductor technologies and industry standards is also crucial to remain competitive and deliver effective solutions.

What is a Freelance Probe Card Engineer?

A Freelance Probe Card Engineer is a specialized professional who designs, develops, and tests probe cards used in semiconductor wafer testing, working independently rather than as a full-time employee for a single company. Probe cards are essential tools that facilitate electrical testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing. As a freelancer, this engineer may take on projects from multiple clients, often providing services such as probe card design, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and technical consulting. Their work ensures the quality and reliability of semiconductor chips before they are packaged and shipped. Freelance roles offer flexibility and the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and technologies in the semiconductor industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Probe Card Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Probe Card Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, semiconductor testing, and probe card design, often supported by a relevant degree and industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, wafer probing systems, and semiconductor test equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective client communication set standout professionals apart in this field. These skills are crucial for delivering precise, reliable probe card solutions that meet client specifications in a highly technical and competitive industry.

What is the difference between Freelance Probe Card Engineer vs Contract Probe Card Engineer?

AspectFreelance Probe Card EngineerContract Probe Card Engineer
CredentialsRelevant technical certifications, industry experienceSame as freelance, often with additional contractual agreements
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote or on-site, project-basedOn-site or remote, typically through staffing agencies
Employer/Industry UsageFreelance platforms, direct clients, consulting firmsElectronics manufacturers, staffing agencies, contract firms

Both roles require technical expertise in probe card design and testing, with similar credentials. The key difference lies in employment status: Freelance Probe Card Engineers work independently on a project basis, while Contract Probe Card Engineers are hired through agencies or companies for fixed-term contracts. Understanding these distinctions helps professionals choose the right engagement type for their career goals.

More about Freelance Probe Card Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Probe Card Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Probe Card Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Probe Card Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Probe Card Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Probe Card Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Probe Card Engineer jobs include:
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Freelance Probe Card Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Probe Card Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Silicon Photonics Application Engineer

Silicon Photonics Application Engineer

Advantest

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Job Description:
With a long legacy of success, innovation and customer awards, Advantest America, Inc. (AAI) is the North American subsidiary of Advantest Corporation, the world's largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) to the semiconductor industry. We lead the way in developing new and innovative test and handling solutions for the global electronics industry. Advantest America, Inc. (AAI) has a unique company culture. With its corporate headquarters in Japan and its US subsidiary based in the Silicon Valley, AAI possesses a cross-cultural blend of Japanese and California styles.
This applications engineering position is in our rapidly growing Silicon Photonics team. The ideal candidate has knowledge on an ATE platform and can provide solutions to our customers for electrical and optical test challenges. Experience with electro-optical probe solutions and FAU alignment is a big plus. We look for a candidate who is comfortable in both pre-sales and post-sales assignments to scope and deliver cutting edge solutions to our strategic customers. You will work in a cross functional team with SW and HW R&D, sales and marketing. This is an ideal position for a test engineer with a strong electrical / optical background; it requires ATE as well as SW skills to develop test programs and custom scripts for instrument control.
Responsibilities include:
  • Translate customer requirements into technical solutions; work with Advantest R&D and marketing to identify possible gaps in the roadmap and scope out potential solutions
  • Work with customers to transition electro-optical bench solutions into mass production
  • Ability to understand load board schematics; having knowledge of dual sided probe solutions is a plus
  • Knowledge in test sockets and probe cards / probe technologies
  • Test code development in programming languages like JAVA and scripting languages like Python
  • Accountable for the design, scoping, and technical validity of the solution to achieve the customer's business objectives
  • Close cooperation with other applications engineers in our European and Asian subsidiaries

Travel:
  • Up to 25% domestic or international travel to various customer and Advantest sites

Requirements:
  • BS degree in electrical, optical engineering or physics
  • Product and test engineering experience on an ATE platform or a bench environment
  • Statistical data analysis experience on tools like JMP, Galaxy, excel or others
  • JAVA and Python experience
  • Experience with optical devices

Additional Skills Preferred (but not required):
  • MS degree or higher
  • Knowledge and experience on test program development for Silicon Photonics products
  • Experience with handlers and probers; probe card development
  • Experience with lasers, optical analyzers, power meters, polarizers and circulators

Apply