Senior Staff Design Automation Engineer

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At SkyWater, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location — employees join together to improve the world. Explore what’s possible.

Joining our U.S.-based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning “science fiction” into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few. Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. SkyWater’s values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees — and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

About the role

This SkyWater Senior Staff Design Automation Engineer will primarily lead custom layout and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) activities to provide testchip collateral for semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) technologies. This engineer will be a significant contributor to a broad array of design projects supporting modeling, reliability, and yield as part of Process Design Kit (PDK) development for advanced CMOS or quantum technologies. The position is based at our HQ site in Bloomington, MN, with consideration available for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Automated or systematic creation or conversion of test structures for eTest, modeling, reliability, yield, and IP test chips as part of new technology development
• Version control and management of large design libraries with multiple contributors
• Introduction of both custom and automated designs for layout projects supporting highly diverse technology flows
• Utilize SkyWater PDK’s and provide feedback to internal teams on issues, improvements, capabilities, etc.
• Lead physical verification and tape-in reviews

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience with AS in Electronic Design fields. 3+ years of experience with BS in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics or related fields.
• Proven experience in full-custom layout design, especially for discrete device process-control monitors using EDA tool-assisted design flow such as Cadence and Siemens EDA tool suites (e.g. Calibre and Virtuoso)
• Capable to independently execute design automation using tools such as SKILL, Tcl, python or other scripting language
• Experience in developing and/or using physical verification tools (DRC, ERC, LVS/PEX) and DFM tooling. Experience in large design library change controls.
• Familiarity with typical mixed-signal IC design and tape-in flow.
• Clear communicator, concise written report skills, and inventive problem solver
• U.S. Person Required: This position requires compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All accepted applicants must be U.S. Persons. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Qualifications

• Background in PDK development in some or all of the following fields: CMOS, MEMS, photonics, or superconducting.
• Familiarity with parasitic extraction tools such as Mentor Calibre xRC, Cadence Quantus, or Synopsys StarRC.
• Experience with data preparation for photo mask design
• Background in full-custom IC design utilizing hierarchical design principles and automation including place-and-route
• Formal training in both (1) electrical engineering or electronic device design, (2) computer science

Pay

The annual salary range for this role is $114,320 - $171,480. Pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, the job-related experience, skills, education, and credentials of each candidate.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and opportunity to participate in incentive plans
• Employee financial benefits including 401k match, life insurance, and opportunities to purchase SkyWater stock at a discounted rate
• Comprehensive benefits package promoting a healthy life, including medical, dental, mental health benefits, and vision
• Benefit eligibility from day one
• Legal planning services
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• On-site fitness facility and self-serve market