Silicon Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer

MatX

$160K — $500K+*
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of hands-on experience with DFT implementation including MBIST and at-speed scan.
  • Strong understanding of JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), IJTAG (IEEE 1687), and Streaming Scan Networks (SSN).
  • Experience in loading and validating PHY firmware via serial interfaces like SPI, I2C, or JTAG.
  • Expertise in integrating PHY DFT interfaces into the SoC DFT architecture.
  • Familiarity with hierarchical test access and test data compression techniques.
  • Proficient with EDA tools such as Synopsys DFT Compiler and Mentor Tessent.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop functional test solutions for SERDES PHY.
  • Perform DFT integration of PHY IP blocks including boundary scan and BIST interfaces.
  • Develop firmware loading flows for PHY bring-up and test.
  • Collaborate with verification and firmware teams to create silicon test programs.
  • Execute DFT implementation and verification flows for block-level insertion.
  • Support root cause analysis for test escapes and improve DFT coverage.

Benefits

  • 4 weeks PTO + 12 company holidays + up to 3 weeks remote work.
  • Company-subsidized medical insurance for employees and dependents.
  • 401K with up to 5% company contribution, plus additional life and disability insurance.
  • $1500 annual professional development budget.
  • Onsite team meals Monday to Friday.
  • Fully covered daily commute via Uber or train.
  • Monthly $50 perks allowance.
  • Reimbursement for cellular and internet costs.
  • Comprehensive mental health benefits.
  • Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave and support for parents.
  • Resource allocation for AI productivity assistance.
Full Job Description
Silicon Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer

MatX is seeking a Silicon Design-For-Test (DFT) engineer to join our team as we create best-in-class silicon for high-performance and sustainable GenAI. The successful candidate for this role will be responsible for implementation of DFT functions for performant and functionally accurate silicon for MatX products across compute, memory management, high-speed connectivity and other key technologies in leading-edge process nodes.

What You'll Do Here
  • Design and develop functional test solutions for SERDES PHY, covering loopback, eye diagram characterization, and margin testing.
  • Perform DFT integration of PHY IP blocks, including boundary scan, BIST interfaces, and test mode control signals, and develop robust pattern porting flows from IP-level to SoC-level.
  • Develop and maintain firmware loading flows for PHY bring-up and test - including SPI/JTAG-based firmware download, register initialization sequences, and debug support during test program development.
  • Collaborate closely with verification, firmware, and test engineering teams to develop and bring up silicon test programs from simulation to ATE.
  • Execute DFT implementation and verification flows for block-level DFT insertion, including scan chain closure, ATPG pattern generation, and sign-off.
  • Support test escapes root cause analysis and drive continuous improvement of DFT coverage and test quality.

Who You Are
  • Hands-on experience with DFT implementation - MBIST, at-speed scan and scan compression.
  • Strong knowledge of modern DFT standards and protocols: JTAG (IEEE 1149.1), IJTAG (IEEE 1687), and Streaming Scan Networks (SSN).
  • Experience or Working Knowledge of loading and validating PHY firmware via serial interfaces (SPI, I2C, or JTAG), including understanding of bootloader sequences and register map initialization.
  • Solid experience integrating PHY DFT interfaces (e.g., SERDES PHY test modes, analog test buses into the SoC DFT architecture.
  • Experience with system-level DFT access - hierarchical test access, test data compression, and multi-die/chiplet DFT - is a strong plus.
  • Familiarity with EDA tools such as Synopsys DFT Compiler, Mentor Tessent, or equivalent.

Compensation

The US base salary for this full-time position is determined based on a variety of factors including role, experience, location, job-related skills, and relevant education and training. Career length is only a guideline for compensation.
  • Early Career - $160,000 - $275,000 + equity
  • Mid Career - $175,000 - $400,000 + equity
  • Senior Career - $250,000 - $600,000 + equity


What We Offer
  • Time off: 4 weeks PTO (accrued) + 12 company Holidays + up to 3 weeks remote work
  • Health: Company-subsidized Medical (Kaiser or Anthem) for employees & dependents, Guardian Dental and Vision insurances for employee & dependents, and life insurance (employee only), plus HSA and FSA offerings via Lively.
  • Financial Wellbeing: Choose from Roth IRA/ 401K (or both) retirement plans with up to 5% company contribution to 401K (even if you don't contribute). Also, 100% company-paid life insurance (up to $300K) and long-term disability insurances.
  • Professional Development: $1500 Professional Development Budget (per year)
  • Team Meals: MatX provides onsite team lunch & dinner Monday - Friday, with your choice of ordering via WeBox, Specialty's or via our reimbursement system
  • Commute on Us: Commute on our company Uber account, or reimburse your train rides. Either way, we pay 100% for your daily commute.
  • MatX E[x]tras: $50/mo to use on the perk you value most
  • Cell & Internet Reimbursement: $35/mo for cellular and $40/mo for wifi
  • Mental Wellbeing: 100% paid mental health benefit via SpringHealth and Guardian EAP.
  • Support to Parents: Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave regardless of path to parenthood, 10 weeks pregnancy disability leave, flexible return-to-work hours, and Benepass reproductive health & parental benefit.
  • AI Resources: Up to $20K/month plus a dedicated internal AI Tooling Team to support your productivity

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and work from our offices in Mountain View Tuesdays-Thursdays.

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