Staff DFT Architecture & RTL Engineer, AI Hardware

What To Expect
The Tesla AI Hardware team is at the forefront of revolutionizing artificial intelligence through cutting-edge hardware innovation. Comprising brilliant engineers and visionaries, the team designs and develops advanced AI inference chips tailored to accelerate Tesla’s machine learning capabilities. A key part of this effort is Dojo, Tesla's custom supercomputer system built to efficiently train massive neural networks on vast video data from the fleet. The work of Tesla's AI Hardware team powers the neural networks behind Full Self-Driving (FSD), and Tesla humanoid robot, Optimus, pushing the boundaries of computational efficiency and performance. By creating custom silicon and optimized architectures, the team ensures Tesla remains a leader in AI-driven automotive and energy solutions, shaping a future where intelligent machines enhance human life.

Tesla's AI hardware team is seeking a highly motivated ASIC RTL Design Engineer with a specialization in the mathematical and computational aspects of custom AI accelerators. You will focus on designing high-performance, power-efficient RTL for math-intensive components that power our AI training and inference systems. This role emphasizes expertise in tensor operations, matrix computations, and optimized data paths for advanced AI workloads. This role is located in Palo Alto, CA or Austin, TX. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of low-precision arithmetic, quantization techniques, and hardware acceleration for machine learning, this is your opportunity to contribute to revolutionary AI hardware.

Our Silicon Engineering team designs highly testable SoCs that meet quality and coverage targets from day one of silicon. As a Staff DFT Arch & RTL Engineer, you will define the comprehensive DFT architecture and own RTL insertion of all test structures — from scan and MBIST to JTAG and OCC — setting the foundation for full-chip test coverage and bring-up readiness.

What You'll Do

Define and implement full DFT architecture for complex SoC designs — ISTC, IJTAG, scan, MBIST, BISR, and JTAG boundary scan (IEEE 1149.1 / 1149.6)
Drive RTL insertion and integration of Tessent-based DFT structures — ISTC, SSN, OCC, compression logic, and memory BIST
Understanding and familiarity of hybrid bond testing
Perform CDC/RDC checks using SpyGlass, JasperGold, or Questa CDC — identify and resolve clock and reset domain crossing violations
Execute static verification flows — LINT checks, coding standard compliance, and design rule verification to ensure RTL quality and synthesizability
Own JTAG/1500/1687 network architecture — implement BSDL, ICL, and PDL specifications
Define and resolve DFT rule violations to ensure DFT-friendly RTL across the design
Leverage agentic AI flows to automate DFT rule checking, RTL insertion validation, and coverage analysis


What You'll Bring

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
10+ years of DFT architecture and RTL insertion experience on complex SoCs
Expert-level proficiency with Siemens Tessent suite (Shell, TestKompress, MemoryBIST)
Deep expertise in ISTC, SSN, OCC, compression logic, and memory BIST architectures
Strong command of IEEE 1149.1/1149.6, 1500, and 1687 — BSDL, ICL, and PDL
Hands-on CDC/RDC analysis using SpyGlass, JasperGold, or Questa CDC
Ability to use agentic AI flows to scale DFT insertion and validation workflows
Preferred
DFT architecture ownership on server-class or AI accelerator SoCs
Experience with hierarchical DFT for multi-die or 3D IC designs
Exposure to low-power DFT — multi-Vdd and state retention considerations


Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
Tesla Babies program
Commuter benefits
Employee discounts and perks program


Expected Compensation

$128,000 - $312,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

, Tesla
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