Robert Schroeder

Robert Schroeder
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Staff Test Engineer at Avago Technologies

Summary
I’m an Electrical Test Engineer able to develop test solutions for complex mixed signal products. I
have extensive experience collaborating with design teams in defining test requirements for new
products. I lead test development teams defining the test methods and test plans. I demonstrate
product performance/specifications through validation and characterization. I have strong
troubleshooting skills with new products and existing customer devices.

A listing of my core competencies includes:
• Software Development
• Hardware Development
• New Design Validation/Verification
• Mixed Signal Test Development
• Design for Test (DFT)
• Product Requirements/Specifications
• Product Troubleshooting
• Product Test Documentation
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Global Team Leader
• Offshore Manufacturing

Please contact me at rschroeder390@gmail.com ✉

Technical Skills
• LabVIEW, C, Perl, PASCAL
• Linux, UNIX, Windows OS
• MS Office, SharePoint, WebEx
• Visio, Allegro CAD, PCAD
• Agile PLM, Oracle ERP
• Teradyne Catalyst/A580
• TSSI Solstice-PV
• Syntricity dataConductor
• JMP Statistical Discovery
• ESD Certification
Experience
Staff Test Engineer at LSI an Avago Technologies Company
2007 – Present (11 years)
Block Expert and Lead Test Developer for ADC, Digital, Writer, HAMR, and Fault Detection circuits
in HDD Preamplifiers. Global Test Development Team Leader for Hitachi and Toshiba preamp
products. Responsibilities included ATE test planning, development, and meeting production
release requirements in yield, quality, and cost.
• Coordinated and executed various test time reduction projects through test methodology
improvements and risk assessed test removal, saving $500K per product family in manufacturing
cost.
• As the Lead Test Engineer, managed the test planning and implementation for Hitachi Preamps.
Ensured total device quality with HTOL, ESD, and Latch testing. Finalized test program for release
to production meeting yield and cost expectations. Sustained products through production life
cycle.
• Key contributor in converting single-site to multi-site at wafer probe on multiple products, saving
over $12M in manufacturing costs.
• In collaboration with Design Engineering, created DFT features to maximize test coverage and
improve throughput for IP Blocks. Created script to convert design sim data to functional ATE test
pattern.
• Mentored and managed work flow for 4 test engineers in new test facility in Shanghai.
Instruction included device function, test methodology, production release procedures, and quality
requirements.

Senior Test Engineer at Agere Systems Inc
2000 – 2007 (7 years)
Developed production test programs for Preamp and Motor Controller HDD products.
• Collaborated with Analog Design Engineers to architect new test features in Preamps for internal
fault comparator testing across all blocks, saving test time and increasing measurement accuracy.
• Cross-functional team member developing an internal test mux for digital/analog wrapper
providing the ability to force and sense signals buried deep in the silicon externally.
• LTX Synchromaster to Teradyne Catalyst platform conversion supporting joint Agere-LSI/ST
Micro project to provide multi-sourced test for Seagate Motor Controllers. Quality leader employing
Statistical Process Control to correlate the test programs to bin level.
• Applied DFT method in new IC to reuse a VCM 15 bit DAC to internally ramp all of the fault
comparators in the Motor Controller to reduce test time by 90%.
• Mentored new hire test engineers in HDD Motor Controller Devices.
• Key contributor for a new product test development, small form-factor Motor Controllers. Provided
ATE test hardware and software development for prototype and full production released device.
• Converted Teradyne A580 Mixed Signal test programs to the Catalyst platform.

Test Engineer at VTC
1995 – 2000 (5 years)
Developed ATE software and hardware for HDD Servo Demodulator and HDD Channel IC’s.
• Defined, implemented and maintained testing software solutions on the Teradyne A580 for
customer ASIC, Servo Demodulator. Member of a team of test engineers that developed new test
suites for this first-of-a-kind device.
• Demonstrated ability to manage production codes, supporting the manufacturing floor and
customer requirements.

Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Robert Schroeder
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Staff Test Engineer at Avago Technologies

3 people have recommended Robert
“I have known and worked with Bob for over 20 years, the last 2 as his supervisor. Bob possesses
the sought after combination of leadership, technical and communication skills that make him a
valuable member on any team. Bob tackles projects of ambiguous scope and regularly goes above
and beyond to meet the demands of internal and external customers. He applies his technical
skills to find simple solutions to complex problems. He is also a skilled coach and mentor to junior
engineers and overseas personnel. Whatever the assignment, Bob gets the job done. Bob is
also a charismatic relationship builder. He cuts through interpersonal barriers and quickly builds
rapport with everyone he meets. People who know and work with Bob feel a sense of “we’re in this
together.” I recommend Bob without hesitation! ”

—Barrett Connolly, Test Architect, Broadcom Limited, managed Robert at LSI an Avago
Technologies Company

“Robert’s deep knowledge of Mixed Signal Test Engineering is indicative of skills proficiency
across multiple disciplines. His Electrical Engineering knowledge spans both analog and
digital technologies, as well as the intricacies of the truly “mixed” areas in-between. Robert’s
Software Engineering depth covers Developing and Implementing test methods for new product
technologies, Transforming raw information and data from the simulation environment to the ATE
environment, Debugging test hardware and software, and Supporting hardware and software
developed by others. This is true for New Product Introductions and products in high volume
production. Robert functions well as an individual contributor, member of an international team,
project stakeholder, or project lead. It would be an understatement to classify him as a Test
Engineer. Robert is a complex Problem Solver, and a welcome addition to any team.”

—Mike Savino, PMP, CSSBB, CQE, Quality Engineer, Broadcom Limited, worked with Robert at
LSI an Avago Technologies Company

“Robert is a great Test Engineer. His understanding of Software, Test Equipment and Devices
allows reliable results for every task. He easily communicates with Operations, Design, Technical
Support and Management. He works hard to provide documentation and individual instruction
whenever needed, to assure proper execution of the Test Plan he created.”
—Leonard Clark, Test Solutions Manager, Polar Semiconductor, worked with Robert at LSI an
Avago Technologies Company