Principal DFT Engineer (Silicon Engineering)

SpaceX
Austin, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Experienced DFT engineers with deep ASIC expertise and leadership in silicon validation will find this principal role at SpaceX offers a unique opportunity to work on global satellite infrastructure.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of DFT experience and a track record in ASIC development
    — “10+ years of experience working with ASICs”
  • Individuals who have led SOC DFT execution through product deployment
    — “Leadership experience driving SOC DFT execution from concept through tapeout and product deployment”
  • Engineers with strong integration and verification skills for DFT fabrics and IP
    — “Integration and verification of Design for Test (DFT) fabrics and IP within Subsystems”

Things to consider

  • This role may require extended hours and weekend work to meet critical milestones
    — “Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones”
  • Candidates must be eligible for U.S. Government export authorizations to apply
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with Siemens Tessent tools and gate-level simulation techniques
    — “Lead implementation and optimization of DFT architectures, including scan insertion, compression/decompression logic”
  • Emphasize skills in developing test scripts and automating DFT processes
    — “Develop test scripts, automate processes, and analyze data using programming languages such as Perl, Python, Tcl, or C+”
  • Demonstrate expertise in RTL connectivity tracing and debugging as it relates to DFT
    — “RTL experience to understand, trace and debug RTL connectivity issues as they pertain to DFT”
  • Include experience with advanced silicon process nodes and power optimization techniques
    — “Familiar with advanced silicon process and technology nodes for high speed and low power consumption”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Principal

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • DFT architectures
  • post-silicon testing
  • integration and verification
Typical background
10+ years of experience working with ASICs

Skills & requirements

Required

DFTASICRTLGate NetlistTest Scripts

Preferred

UPFFormal VerificationDRC Rule Checking

Stack & domain

PythonVerilogSystemverilogDFTASICSilicon

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

PRINCIPAL DFT ENGINEER (SILICON ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe. 

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering and ASIC implementation). In this role, you will be developing next-generation ASICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Your efforts will help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead implementation and optimization of DFT architectures, including scan insertion, compression/decompression logic, memory BIST, and logic BIST, leveraging Siemens Tessent tools for RTL and gate netlist DFT implementation

Own ATPG tools and methodologies, including generating patterns for stuck-at, transition, and path delay fault models, while focusing on pattern compression, diagnosis, and hierarchical test flows. Provide post-silicon testing and validation support

Responsible for evaluating design readiness for scan insertion through RTL and physical design Scan Design Rule Check (DRC) tools

Integration and verification of Design for Test (DFT) fabrics and IP within Subsystems

Run and debug non-timing and SDF annotated gate level simulations

Develop test scripts, automate processes, and analyze data using programming languages such as Perl, Python, Tcl, or C+

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or computer science

10+ years of experience working with ASICs

10+ years of experience in scan insertion and DFT setup, integration and validation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Leadership experience driving SOC DFT execution from concept through tapeout and product deployment

RTL experience to understand, trace and debug RTL connectivity issues as they pertain to DFT

Ability to solve complex problems including clock domain crossings and power optimization

Experience with UPF (Unified Power Format), formal verification, and DRC rule checking experience

Familiar with advanced silicon process and technology nodes for high speed and low power consumption

Strong implementation or integration of design blocks using Verilog/SystemVerilog

Experience working with ATE testers and test teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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