Sr. Staff Engineer - DFT

Ambiq; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambiq is seeking an experienced DFT Engineer to design, implement, and optimize test architectures for ultra‑low power SoCs. You will own the DFT strategy, develop methodologies, and collaborate across design, verification, and manufacturing to improve test coverage and efficiency.

The role requires 10+ years in DFT, RTL proficiency, and strong scripting skills. On-site in NW Austin, with opportunities to impact energy efficiency and AI edge applications through rigorous test programs.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in ECE/EE and at least 10 years of experience in DFT implementation.
• Skilled in different types of DFT structures, including scan (Stuck-At, At-Speed, Path-Delay), scan compression, boundary scan, and MBIST.
• Experience in creating and implementing hierarchical DFT architecture in complex SoC.
• Experience in Low-Power DFT and MBIST.
• Plan, generate and verify Memory Repair Patterns using Tessent MBIST flow.
• Experience in test time and test coverage analysis for scan and MBIST patterns.
• Experience in working with test engineering team to bring up production test program.
• Extensive knowledge of timing concepts and constraint development.
• Experience in developing scan ATPG and MBIST test benches and simulation in pre/post-layout environments.
• Experience in processing failure files from ATE and perform diagnosis in ATPG tool.
• Experience with using Cadence Genus and Modus compression to generate low-power SCAN and ATPG patterns.
• Experience in RTL is required.
• Experience in scripting like Tcl and Perl/Python is preferred.
• Experience with GLS (gate level simulation) is preferred.
• Motivated, self‑driven engineer with attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for scan insertion, boundary scan, MBIST, and ATPG for ultra‑low power SoC based on sub‑threshold operation using standard EDA tools.
• Develop and implement low‑power DFT architecture and infrastructure.
• Generate structural test vectors, analyze, and improve coverage, test time, and test cost.
• Perform pre/post‑layout scan and MBIST simulations.
• Work with designers on STA, physical, power, and logical issues related to DFT.
• Work with test engineers to bring up test vectors on silicon.

Skills

DFT implementation

MBIST

ATPG

Low-power DFT

Test coverage analysis

RTL design

Timing concepts

Scripting Tcl

Python/Perl

Cadence Genus

Cadence Modus

GLS

Education

BS in ECE/EE

MS in ECE/EE

Tools

Tessent MBIST

Cadence Genus

Cadence Modus

Pre/post-layout ATPG tools

ATE

Job description

Company Overview

Ambiq is on a mission to enable intelligence everywhere — powering the AI edge revolution with the world's lowest‑power semiconductor solutions.

Built on our proprietary sub‑ and near‑threshold technology, our chips deliver multi‑fold improvements in energy efficiency without costly process scaling. Since 2010, we've shipped over 300 million units to customers building smarter wearables, medical devices, IoT products, and AI‑powered edge applications.

Our cross‑functional teams span design, research, development, production, marketing, sales, and operations across Austin, Hsinchu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore. We move fast, tackle hard problems, and create space for people to grow through complex, meaningful work that shapes the future of technology.

We're looking for self‑motivated, creative problem‑solvers who are eager to push technological limits and make a real impact in energy efficiency.

Innovate. Collaborate. Focus. Learn. Achieve.

Join us — the intelligence everywhere revolution starts here.

This role will be on‑site 5 days a week in NW Austin.

Scope

We are seeking an experienced DFT (Design for Testability) Engineer to design, implement, and optimize test architectures for semiconductor products. This role involves collaborating with design, verification, and manufacturing teams to ensure products meet testability, yield, and quality objectives. The successful candidate will own the DFT strategy, develop test methodologies, and drive continuous improvement in test coverage and manufacturing efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for scan insertion, boundary scan, MBIST, and ATPG for ultra‑low power SoC based on sub‑threshold operation using standard EDA tools.
• Develop and implement low‑power DFT architecture and infrastructure.
• Generate structural test vectors, analyze, and improve coverage, test time, and test cost.
• Perform pre/post‑layout scan and MBIST simulations.
• Work with designers on STA, physical, power, and logical issues related to DFT.
• Work with test engineers to bring up test vectors on silicon.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in ECE/EE and at least 10 years of experience in DFT implementation.
• Skilled in different types of DFT structures, including scan (Stuck‑At, At‑Speed, Path‑Delay), scan compression, boundary scan, and MBIST.
• Experience in creating and implementing hierarchical DFT architecture in complex SoC.
• Experience in Low‑Power DFT and MBIST.
• Plan, generate and verify Memory Repair Patterns using Tessent MBIST flow.
• Experience in test time and test coverage analysis for scan and MBIST patterns.
• Experience in working with test engineering team to bring up production test program.
• Extensive knowledge of timing concepts and constraint development.
• Experience in developing scan ATPG and MBIST test benches and simulation in pre/post‑layout environments.
• Experience in processing failure files from ATE and perform diagnosis in ATPG tool.
• Experience with using Cadence Genus and Modus compression to generate low‑power SCAN and ATPG patterns.
• Experience in RTL is required.
• Experience in scripting like Tcl and Perl/Python is preferred.
• Experience with GLS (gate level simulation) is preferred.
• Motivated, self‑driven engineer with attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills.

Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. We do not sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas (now or in the future) for this role.