DFT Intern

Job Title

DFT Intern

Role Summary

Join the SoC team to implement and verify Design-for-Test (DFT) features for ultra-low-power chips. The role focuses on scan and MBIST insertion, test coverage analysis, and improving manufacturing test quality while working with RTL, DV, and physical design engineers.

Experience Level

Entry-level internship for current undergraduate or graduate students; suitable for candidates with academic coursework or project experience in digital/ASIC design.

Responsibilities

Key day-to-day tasks for the internship:

• Support low-power DFT implementation and verification for SoC modules.
• Assist with scan insertion and scan chain verification for physical design blocks.
• Assist with MBIST insertion and verification for embedded memories.
• Analyze DFT rule-check results and help resolve testability issues.
• Support test coverage analysis and identify improvements.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts (Tcl, Python, Shell) for recurring tasks.
• Document methods and results; present progress to mentor and team.
• Collaborate with RTL, DFT, DV, and physical design engineers to debug implementation and timing issues.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications and core skills expected from applicants.

• Familiarity with Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL and fundamental digital design concepts (timing, clocking, reset, pipelining).
• Comfortable working in a Linux/UNIX environment.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication; ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with industry-standard EDA tools for scan insertion/ATPG, MBIST, memory repair, or synthesis.
• Basic understanding of DFT concepts (scan, ATPG, MBIST, fault coverage, memory repair).
• Scripting experience in Tcl, Python, or Shell for flow automation.
• Familiarity with fault models (stuck-at, transition, bridging, memory faults) and low-power design concepts (multiple power domains, retention, clock gating).

Education Requirements

Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Relevant coursework includes digital logic design, VLSI/ASIC design, CMOS circuits, and computer architecture.

About the Company

Company: Ambiq

Headquarters: Austin, TX, United States

Semiconductor company developing ultra-low-power microcontroller units (MCUs) and system-on-chip (SoC) platforms for battery-powered and edge devices, focusing on low-power IP, RTL, and production silicon solutions.