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Dft Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Senior DFT Engineer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$170K - $250K/yr

The Role We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer to lead and drive DFT architecture and implementation for complex mixed-signal SOCs. This role requires deep ...

The Role We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer to lead and drive DFT architecture and implementation for complex mixed-signal SOCs. This role requires deep ...

Senior DFT Engineer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$170K - $250K/yr

The Role We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer to lead and drive DFT architecture and implementation for complex mixed-signal SOCs. This role requires deep ...

Senior Silicon Test Engineer

Redmond, WA ยท On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Work with Design DFT teams to support simulation and emulation activities for test validation. Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications * Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer ...

Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and ... Collaborate with front-end, verification, and DFT teams to ensure clean handoff and predictable ...

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Showing results 1-20

Dft Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$83.1K

$147.4K

$283.4K

How much do dft engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for dft engineer in Seattle, WA is $147,387.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,200.00 and $153,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DFT Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DFT (Design for Test) Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital design, and ASIC/FPGA development, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with test methodologies, scan insertion tools (such as Synopsys DFT Compiler or Mentor Tessent), and scripting languages like Perl or Python is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help DFT Engineers collaborate with design and verification teams to resolve complex testability challenges. These competencies are essential to ensure high-quality, testable silicon designs that minimize defects and streamline manufacturing processes.

What is the difference between Dft Engineer vs Test Engineer?

AspectDft EngineerTest Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electronics, Electrical, or related fields; certifications in DFT techniquesBachelor's in Electronics, Electrical, Computer Science; certifications in testing methodologies
Work EnvironmentDesign and implementation of DFT strategies during IC developmentTesting, validation, and debugging of electronic products and systems
Employer & Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, IC design firmsConsumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications industries

While both Dft Engineers and Test Engineers work in electronics and semiconductor industries, Dft Engineers focus on designing testability features during chip development, whereas Test Engineers execute testing and validation of finished products. Their roles complement each other, but their daily tasks and expertise areas differ significantly.

Is DFT engineering a good career?

DFT (Design for Test) engineering is a specialized field within semiconductor and integrated circuit design, focusing on ensuring manufacturability and testability of chips. It offers steady demand due to the ongoing need for quality and reliability in electronics, and requires skills in digital design, verification, and tools like EDA software. Career growth depends on industry trends and technical expertise, often involving certifications and continuous learning.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn $500,000 or more annually. High compensation often involves leadership roles, bonuses, stock options, or working in high-demand industries with complex projects.

How much do DFT engineers make?

Design for Test (DFT) engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior DFT engineers with specialized skills in automation and verification can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000. Compensation may also include bonuses and benefits related to their expertise in integrated circuit testing and design validation.

What does a DFT engineer do?

A DFT (Design for Test) engineer designs and implements test strategies and methodologies to ensure integrated circuits and electronic devices are functional and defect-free. They develop test plans, create test patterns, and work with CAD tools to improve test coverage and manufacturability, often collaborating with design and manufacturing teams. Proficiency in scripting, testing tools, and industry standards is essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by DFT Engineers during the silicon validation phase, and how can these be addressed?

DFT Engineers often encounter challenges during the silicon validation phase, such as discrepancies between simulation results and actual silicon behavior, limited access to internal nodes, and diagnosing scan chain failures. These issues can be addressed by thorough pre-silicon verification, incorporating robust test points, and leveraging advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies. Effective collaboration with design and validation teams is also crucial to quickly resolve issues and implement necessary design changes, ensuring high test coverage and product reliability.

What are DFT Engineers?

DFT Engineers, or Design for Test Engineers, are professionals who specialize in designing and implementing test structures and methodologies within integrated circuits (ICs) to ensure their testability and reliability during manufacturing. Their work enables efficient detection and diagnosis of faults in chips, helping to improve yield and reduce production costs. DFT Engineers collaborate closely with design, verification, and manufacturing teams to integrate features such as scan chains, built-in self-test (BIST), and boundary scan into chip designs. Their expertise is crucial for modern semiconductor development, especially as chips become increasingly complex.
What job categories do people searching Dft Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Dft Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Infographic showing various Dft Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,387 per year, or $70.9 per hour.
Senior DFT Engineer

Senior DFT Engineer

K2 Space

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site

$170K - $250K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

The Roleย 

Weย areย seekingย a highly experienced Senior Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer to lead and drive DFT architecture and implementation for complex mixed-signal SOCs. This role requires deepย expertiseย inย memory BIST and TAP controller insertionย at RTL,ย scan insertion andย ATPG, and test strategy development across digital and mixed-signal domains.ย You will play a critical role in ensuring high test coverage, manufacturability, and first-pass silicon success while collaborating closely with design, verification, and physical design teams.ย ย 

Responsibilitiesย 

  • Define and implement DFT architecture for mixed-signal SoCs, including scan, MBIST, LBIST, and boundaryย scan.ย 
  • Lead RTL-level DFT insertion, scan chain insertion and optimization, test point insertion, and low-power DFT methodologies.ย 
  • Own ATPG flow development and execution by generating high-quality stuck-at, transition, and path delay test patterns. Drive coverage closure and pattern optimization and debug pattern failure and silicon correlation.ย ย 
  • Develop and integrate DFT strategies for mixed-signal blocks, including wrapper-based approaches, and analog test interfaces and BIST solutions.ย 
  • Collaborate with RTL, DV, and PD teams to ensure clean DFT integration at RTL and gate-level, andย timing and physical constraints alignment (scan reordering, compression, etc.).ย 
  • Drive DFT verification and signoff, including Scan/ATPG coverage metrics, DRC/Lint checks (DFT rule compliance), gate-levelย simulationย and pattern validation.ย 
  • Support bring-up and silicon debug activities by analyzing tester failures, yield issues, and ATPG pattern correlation with silicon behavior.ย 
  • Contribute toย methodologyย development, automation, and flow improvements.ย 

Qualificationsย 

  • B.S. orย M.S. in Electrical Engineeringย or related field.ย 
  • 7+ years of experience inย DFT for complex SoCs.ย 
  • Strong hands-on experience withย RTL DFT insertion (scan, compression, test points), andย ATPG tools and flows.ย 
  • Deep understanding ofย scan architectures,ย compression techniques, fault models (stuck-at, transition, bridging, path delay), coverage analysis and closure strategies.ย 
  • Experience with low-power DFT techniques.ย 
  • Familiarity with mixed-signal integration challenges and test methodologies.ย 
  • Strong debugging skills across RTL, gate-level, and silicon.ย 

Nice to Haveย 

  • Experience with MBIST/LBIST implementation and memory repair flows.ย 
  • Knowledge of IEEE 1149.x (JTAG/boundary scan) standards.ย 
  • Experience with multi-voltage domain and power-aware DFT.ย 
  • Exposure to physical design impacts on DFT (scan chain reordering, congestion, timing).ย 
  • Scripting experienceย forย automation.ย 
  • Experience in high-speed interfaces (SerDes) or RF/mixed-signal SoCs.ย 
  • Prior involvement in A0 silicon bring-up and yield ramp.ย 
  • Experienceย working in cross-functional, geographically distributed teams.ย ย 

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Base salary range for this role is $170,000 - $250,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022