Sr. Staff Engineer - DFT

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Austin, TX, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Hardware • Internet of Things • Software • Wearables • Semiconductor
Join the Team Powering the Future of Edge AI
The Role
Lead DFT strategy for ultra-low-power SoCs: design and implement scan, boundary scan, MBIST, ATPG and low-power DFT architectures; generate and analyze structural test vectors; run pre/post-layout simulations; collaborate with design, verification, and test teams to optimize coverage, test time, cost, and bring-up test vectors on silicon.
Summary Generated by Built In

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.

At Ambiq, we live by five values: Innovate. Collaborate. Focus. Learn. Achieve.

If that's you, 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 subthreshold 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.


Skills Required

  • BS/MS in ECE/EE with at least 10 years of DFT implementation experience
  • Skilled in DFT structures including scan (Stuck-At, At-Speed, Path-Delay), scan compression, boundary scan, and MBIST
  • Experience 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 working with test engineering team to bring up production test program
  • Extensive knowledge of timing concepts and constraint development (STA)
  • Experience developing scan ATPG and MBIST test benches and simulation in pre/post-layout environments
  • Experience processing failure files from ATE and performing diagnosis in ATPG tools
  • Experience using Cadence Genus and Modus compression to generate low-power SCAN and ATPG patterns
  • Experience in RTL
  • Experience in scripting (Tcl and Perl/Python)
  • Experience with GLS (gate level simulation)
  • 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 (no visa sponsorship)

Ambiq Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Medical, dental, and vision coverage are part of the core package, and the health insurance is portrayed positively across the provided information. This indicates dependable core healthcare support.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Paid time off and an expanded holiday schedule, including a year‑end closure, are highlighted. References to PTO accrual and carryover reinforce strong time‑off design.
  • Parental & Family Support Parental leave and family medical leave are explicitly included. This signals structured support for caregiving needs.

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The Company
HQ: Austin, Texas
220 Employees
Year Founded: 2010

What We Do

Ambiq® enables intelligence (AI and beyond) everywhere by delivering the lowest-power semiconductor solutions for battery-powered edge devices. As a pioneer in ultra-low power SoCs, Ambiq empowers wearables, IoT, smart home, healthcare, and industrial products with always-on, energy-efficient intelligence. Backed by our SPOT® technology and global innovation leadership, Ambiq is shaping the future of edge AI.

Why Work With Us

Direct influence on silicon architecture Smaller, high-impact teams Hardware/software co-design in real time Faster technical decision cycles Visible ownership at Staff & Director level Austin-based collaboration culture

Ambiq Offices

OnSite Workspace

Building silicon and embedded AI systems requires tight collaboration across firmware, hardware, validation, and architecture teams. We believe the hardest engineering problems are solved through direct, daily collaboration.

Typical time on-site:
HQAustin, Texas
Taiwan
China
Singapore
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