Hardware Engineer, DFT

The role

You will own the DFT architecture and implementation for next-generation, physics-inspired ASICs. This includes defining scan/ATPG, MBIST, and boundary-scan strategies from RTL design through tapeout and silicon bring-up.

What you will do

• Define and own chip-level DFT architecture including scan insertion, ATPG, scan compression, MBIST, boundary scan/JTAG, and test access infrastructure.
• Drive DFT insertion and integration across RTL, synthesis, and physical design.
• Own DFT verification, ATPG pattern generation, fault coverage analysis, test-mode validation, and DFT signoff through tapeout.
• Partner with the Head of Silicon Product Engineering to deliver production-ready test patterns and test collateral to manufacturing partners.
• Establish scalable DFT flows, automation, and best practices using industry-standard EDA tools.
• Define technical requirements, oversee contracted DFT work, and review deliverables.

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in DFT implementation for complex ASICs or SoCs, including successful tapeouts.
• Strong hands-on expertise in scan insertion, ATPG, scan compression, fault coverage analysis, and test pattern generation.
• Proven experience with MBIST, boundary scan/JTAG, and DFT integration across RTL and gate-level designs.
• Proficiency with industry-standard DFT tools such as Siemens Tessent, Synopsys TestMAX, or Cadence Modus.
• Solid understanding of RTL design, synthesis, static timing analysis, and physical design considerations.
• Experience delivering manufacturing test patterns and collaborating with silicon product engineering or ATE teams.
• Strong scripting skills in Python, Tcl, or similar languages.
• Ability to independently own DFT architecture, drive cross-functional technical decisions, and communicate effectively across design, verification, and product engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Experience establishing DFT architecture and methodology from the ground up for a new ASIC program.
• Familiarity with IEEE 1500, IEEE 1687 (IJTAG), hierarchical DFT, and advanced scan compression techniques.
• Experience with memory redundancy, built-in self-repair (BISR), silicon diagnosis, and yield improvement.
• Experience working with external DFT implementation partners or managing outsourced DFT deliverables.
• Exposure to AI accelerators, memory-intensive architectures, or unconventional computing systems.
• Experience using AI-assisted or agentic tools to automate silicon design and verification workflows.

About the company

Normal is an applied AI company solving the hardest problems in AI and silicon. They build foundational hardware and software for the semiconductor industry, critical AI infrastructure, and the broader systems that power our world.