Senior Principal DFT Designer - MCU

Job Title

Senior Principal DFT Designer - MCU

Role Summary

The Senior Principal DFT Designer is responsible for specifying, designing, implementing and verifying DFT architectures for complex mixed-signal and digital SoCs. The role partners with RTL, physical design, verification, product, test and software teams to ensure robust testability and reliable silicon delivery.

Experience Level

Senior-level. Years of experience not specified in the source.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Own and execute the full DFT flow: specification, architecture, RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog), synthesis, STA and verification.
• Develop and integrate scan insertion, test compression and ATPG pattern generation.
• Design and implement memory BIST strategies and support LBIST/JTAG requirements.
• Collaborate with RTL and physical design teams for DFT insertion and timing closure.
• Optimize test coverage, reduce pattern count and minimize test time.
• Perform comprehensive DFT verification at RTL and gate level and support ATE test-program development and silicon bring-up.
• Participate in post-silicon validation and debug; work with test teams to resolve silicon issues.
• Mentor junior engineers and produce design documentation, specifications and test plans.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and propose improvements to DFT methodologies.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and attributes:

• Strong expertise in DFT methodologies: Scan, MBIST, LBIST and JTAG.
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard ATPG tools.
• Proficiency in UPF/CPF-based low-power DFT techniques.
• Understanding of fault models (stuck-at, transition, path delay).
• Familiarity with physical-design constraints affecting DFT and timing closure.
• Experience in silicon debug and ATE bring-up.
• RTL knowledge: Verilog, SystemVerilog and VHDL.
• Good English communication skills, team orientation, and commitment to schedule and quality.

Nice-to-have: experience with advanced test compression techniques and prior work on mixed-signal DFT or large SoC projects.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in microelectronics, electronic engineering or a related technical field (as stated in the source).

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.