DFT Engineers
Design for Test Engineers with Chip-Level DFT Ownership Experience
ATPG, MBIST, boundary scan, and DFT architecture for complex SoC designs. Mid, senior, and principal engineers who have owned DFT from insertion through tape-out signoff.
What they do
Chip-Level DFT Ownership, Not Just Pattern Generation
Principal DFT engineers at Game 7 have owned DFT architecture decisions on full-chip SoC programs. Not just run Tessent or TestMAX on blocks handed to them. They understand the tradeoffs: test coverage vs. scan compression ratio vs. tester time vs. die area for scan cells.
They've closed DFT-DRC, correlated ATE patterns with silicon, and debugged failures on the bench after tape-out. When your program hits ATPG tape-out crunch, these are the people you want in the room.
Scope of work
- DFT architecture and planning for full-chip SoC programs
- Scan chain insertion and ATPG pattern generation and validation
- MBIST architecture and implementation for embedded memory subsystems
- Boundary scan and JTAG design and verification (IEEE 1149.1, IJTAG)
- DFT-DRC closure and design rule compliance
- Tester bring-up and ATE pattern correlation
- Compression and Logic BIST implementation (EDT, OPMISR)
- DFT sign-off and test coverage reporting to 99%+ stuck-at, transition fault
Tools & Technologies
The stack our DFT engineers actually ship in.
Program context
DFT Requirements Shift by Vertical. We Match to the Program
Automotive SoC DFT (ASIL-B/D) requires functional safety test coverage, online BIST, and diagnostic coverage metrics that don't exist in standard consumer chip programs. High-bandwidth compute chips (AI accelerators, networking ASICs) demand aggressive compression ratios and tester time minimization at scale. Defense and space programs often require radiation-hardened test approaches and compliance with MIL-SPEC test standards.
Our DFT engineers have worked across these verticals. Tell us the node and the test environment, and we'll match the right background.
FAQ
Common Questions on DFT Engineers Staffing
What is the difference between a DFT engineer and a design verification engineer?+
Design verification engineers (DV) confirm that the design does what the spec says. They work pre-silicon in simulation. DFT engineers design the test infrastructure. Scan chains, BIST, boundary scan. That lets you test silicon after it comes back from the fab. They work at the intersection of design and manufacturing. Some programs staff both separately; others use DFT-DV hybrid engineers who do pattern generation and simulation-based DFT validation. We staff all three profiles.
When in the design cycle should a DFT engineer be brought in?+
Ideally at microarchitecture. DFT decisions made late cost area, coverage, and tester time. Scan enable signals, BIST wrappers, and boundary scan architecture need to be in the RTL before synthesis starts. Engineers who get brought in at the synthesis gate are always playing catch-up. We recommend DFT engagement no later than RTL freeze on complex SoC programs.
Can Game 7 staff DFT engineers for just the ATE correlation and tester bring-up phase?+
Yes. We place engineers for targeted engagements. Some clients bring us in specifically for silicon bring-up and ATE correlation after tape-out, where an experienced DFT engineer is needed for 3-6 months to debug failures and correlate simulation patterns with silicon results.
What's the typical contract duration for a DFT engagement?+
Most DFT engagements run 6-18 months, aligned with the design phase. For full-chip programs, expect 9-12 months from DFT architecture through tape-out signoff. Shorter engagements (3-6 months) are common for targeted ATPG or ATE bring-up work.
Related disciplines
Cross-Links Across the Team
SystemVerilog RTL Designers with Tape-Out Experience
DFT-aware RTL design from the start of the cycle.
Design Verification Engineers →UVM Architects and DV Leads with Verification Closure Experience
UVM-based DFT simulation and coverage closure.
Physical Design Engineers →Floorplan, P&R, STA, and Signoff Engineers for Advanced Process Nodes
Scan cell placement and physical DFT closure.
Let's talk
Need a DFT Engineer?
Tell us the program. We'll send a shortlist of 2-4 qualified engineers within days.