ASIC Synthesis/STA & DFT Engineer

AXONNE; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Axonne Inc. is a Silicon Valley startup shaping automotive in-vehicle semiconductor solutions. We seek an experienced ASIC Front-End Design Engineer to own the RTL-to-gates flow, with a strong focus on synthesis, STA, DFT, and MBIST integration.

You will hand off a timing-constrained, DFT-ready gate-level netlist to backend PD, collaborating closely to achieve timing closure. Backend P&R is not in scope. You will build and maintain the end-to-end flow, write robust constraints, and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on ASIC front-end flows with strong depth in synthesis and STA.
• Proficiency with industry-standard synthesis and STA tools.
• Ability to build a synthesis/DFT flow from scratch.
• Strong command of SDC constraints and multi-corner/multi-mode analysis.
• Hands-on experience with scan insertion and ATPG tools.
• Memory BIST insertion experience.
• Strong scripting for flow automation.

Responsibilities

• Own logic synthesis of RTL designs to gate-level netlists with timing, area, and power closure.
• Develop and maintain SDC constraints across modes and corners.
• Build, script, and automate the synthesis and DFT flow.
• Collaborate with backend PD to align constraints and handoff netlists.
• Implement scan chain insertion and ATPG pattern generation.
• Insert and configure memory BIST for embedded memories.
• Debug DFT issues during ATPG, simulation, or silicon bring-up.
• Review test coverage reports and drive closure.
• Maintain flow documentation and drive automation improvements.

Skills

Synthesis & STA

DFT Insertion

Scripting (Tcl/Python)

Flow Automation

Constraint Debugging

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Synopsys Design Compiler / Fusion Compiler

Cadence Genus

Synopsys PrimeTime

Synopsys DFTMAX

Tessent Scan/FastScan

Modus

Cadence Memory BIST

Job description

Axonne Inc. is a Silicon Valley startup that provides cutting-edge semiconductor solutions for the automotive industry with innovative in-vehicle network semiconductor solutions. We are dedicated to delivering high-performance, reliable, and state-of-the-art semiconductor products to meet the demanding requirements of automotive electronics. As we continue to grow and expand, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced ASIC Synthesis/STA & DFT Engineer to join our team and play a key role in enabling the adoption of our high-speed Ethernet semiconductor solutions in the automotive sector.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Front-End Design Engineer to own the RTL-to-gates flow for our ASIC/SoC designs. The ideal candidate will be a strong hands-on synthesis and static timing analysis (STA) expert who can also implement scan insertion (DFT) and memory BIST insertion, and stitch these steps into a clean, repeatable, sign-off-quality flow. This role sits between RTL design and physical implementation — you will hand off a clean, timing-constrained, DFT-ready gate-level netlist to the backend physical design team and work closely with them through timing closure. Backend place-and-route is not part of this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own logic synthesis of RTL designs to gate-level netlists, driving timing, area, and power closure
• Develop, own, and maintain SDC constraints across modes/corners; debug and resolve synthesis-stage timing violations (setup/hold, clock domain crossings, false/multicycle paths)
• Build and maintain the synthesis and DFT flow — scripting, tool integration, and methodology — rather than just running an existing one
• Work directly with backend physical design engineers to align constraints, handoff netlists, and resolve timing or DFT-related issues that surface during P&R
• Implement scan chain insertion (scan stitching, chain balancing, lockup latches) and run ATPG to generate and grade test patterns
• Insert and configure memory BIST (MBIST) IP for embedded memories (SRAM/ROM/register files), including controller integration and memory grouping
• Debug DFT-related issues surfaced during ATPG, simulation, or silicon bring-up (e.g., scan test failures, BIST diagnostics)
• Generate and review test coverage reports (stuck-at, transition) and drive coverage closure
• Maintain flow documentation and drive automation improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in ASIC front-end flows, with strong depth in synthesis and STA
• Proficiency with industry-standard synthesis tools (e.g., Synopsys Design Compiler / Fusion Compiler, Cadence Genus) and STA tools (e.g., Synopsys PrimeTime)
• Demonstrated ability to construct and own a synthesis/DFT flow from scratch, not just execute an established one
• Strong command of SDC constraints, timing exceptions, and multi-corner/multi-mode analysis
• Hands-on experience with scan insertion and ATPG tools (e.g., Synopsys DFTMAX/TetraMAX, Siemens Tessent Scan/FastScan, Cadence Modus), including pattern generation and grading
• Direct experience implementing memory BIST insertion (e.g., Siemens Tessent MemoryBIST, Synopsys STAR Memory System)
• Strong scripting ability (Tcl, Python, or Perl) for flow automation
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with physical design engineers on constraint and timing handoff issues

Advantageous

• Experience with logic equivalence checking (LEC) tools (e.g., Synopsys Formality, Cadence Conformal)
• Familiarity with ATE test program development or working with test engineering teams

Compensation

• Base salary range: $160,000 – $190,000 USD
• The actual starting base pay will be determined based on a variety of factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and work location. This range may be adjusted based on market conditions.

Axonne is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.