What is a DFT engineer?

DFT engineers, or Design for Test engineers, are professionals in the semiconductor industry who specialize in designing and implementing testability features in integrated circuits (ICs) and systems-on-chip (SoCs). Their primary role is to ensure that chips can be efficiently and effectively tested for manufacturing defects after fabrication. This involves adding test structures, developing test methodologies, and working closely with design and verification teams to optimize test coverage and reduce the cost of testing. DFT engineers play a critical role in improving product quality and yield in chip manufacturing.