What are the responsibilities and job description for the DFT Engineer position at QFocus Technologies?
Position Overview
As a Senior DFT Engineer at QFocus Technologies, you will be responsible for defining, architecting, and executing robust Design-for-Test strategies for high-performance SoCs/ASICs. You will work closely with front-end design, physical design, verification, and product engineering teams to ensure high test coverage, optimal silicon quality, and streamlined post-silicon manufacturing test enablement.
- Pre-Silicon Execution:
- Define and implement comprehensive DFT architectures including Scan, ATPG, MBIST, and JTAG / IEEE standards (1149.1, 1500, 1687 IJTAG).
- Perform Scan Chain Insertion, stitching, and optimization to ensure timing closure and power grid compatibility.
- Integrate Memory BIST (MBIST) controllers, repair mechanisms, and custom memory test routines.
- Generate high-coverage Automatic Test Pattern Generation (ATPG) patterns, including Stuck-at, At-Speed (Transition/Path Delay), and Cell-Aware testing.
- Execute Verilog/SystemVerilog simulations for gate-level DFT validation, ensuring timing and vector cleanliness (SDF simulation).
- Run DFT linting and rule checking using industry-standard tools (e.g., SpyGlass DFT, Tessent, Modus, or TetraMAX)
- Post-Silicon Production & Bring-up:
- Translate pre-silicon ATPG and MBIST patterns into tester formats (e.g., WGL, STIL) for ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) deployment.
- Support post-silicon bring-up in the lab, debugging first-silicon DFT features, pattern conversion, and silicon failures.
- Collaborate with Product and Test Engineering (PTE) teams to optimize test time, diagnose failure modes, and boost manufacturing yield.
- Experience: 3 years of hands-on DFT experience in advanced SoC/ASIC development nodes.
- Core Skills & Technical Expertise:
- Verilog / SystemVerilog: Strong proficiency in Hardware Description Languages for DFT integration, wrapper creation, and simulation debugging.
- Scan Insertion: Hands-on experience with scan synthesis, compressed scan architectures (EDT/SmartTest), and boundary scan integration.
- ATPG: Deep experience generating, debugging, and fault-grading Stuck-at, At-speed, and fault-model test patterns.
- MBIST: Proven experience with memory BIST insertion, MBIST architecture, and memory repair schemes.
- JTAG: Solid understanding of IEEE 1149.1 standards, TAP controllers, and board/chip-level test logic integration.
- Post-Silicon Support: Direct experience bringing up patterns on target silicon and supporting production yield ramp.
- ATPG: Deep experience generating, debugging, and fault-grading Stuck-at, At-speed, and fault-model test patterns.
- MBIST: Proven experience with memory BIST insertion, MBIST architecture, and memory repair schemes.
- JTAG: Solid understanding of IEEE 1149.1 standards, TAP controllers, and board/chip-level test logic integration.
- Post-Silicon Support: Direct experience bringing up patterns on target silicon and supporting production yield ramp.
- Familiarity with scripting languages (Tcl, Python, or Perl) for automation of DFT flows.
- Knowledge of advanced DFT concepts like High-Speed IO testing, SerDes loopback, or Analog DFT.
- Understanding of synthesis tools (Synopsys Design Compiler, Cadence Genus) and static timing analysis (STA) constraint creation for DFT modes.