EDA / PDK 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. 
 
Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Position Summary:  

This is a full-time permanent position ideally based in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, though consideration will be given to remote location.  The Electronic Design Automation (EDA) / PDK Engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams providing design enablement collateral for semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) technologies and broad design application support. The EDA engineer will be a significant technical contributor to a broad array of IC development projects, contributing to Process Design Kit (PDK) development and release. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in physical design and verification, PDK and design flow development, Linux, and other semiconductor EDA / CAD tools and methodologies.

Major Area of Accountability:

• Design, documentation, characterization, and validation of Digital and AMS IC design PDKs for new process technologies and new technology options, across CMOS, Photonics, and Quantum technologies.
• Technical liaison activities between internal teams, design houses, vendors, and customers to ensure successful development, tape-out, and manufacture of customer designs.
• Technical support for customers using SkyWater PDKs and IP collateral.
• Management and support of 3^rd party PDK and IP developers to ensure deliverables are complete and correct, enabling IC designers to effectively design into SkyWater technologies.
• Enhancement, testing, and support of existing PDKs, including planning, development, validation, release, and version management.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: BS (3-5 years exp.) or MS (2-3 years exp.) in Electrical Engineering or similar.
• Prior experience in IC design and/or EDA development.
• Understanding and experience with digital IC design (architecture to RTL to GDSII) & IC fabrication (tape-out to post-silicon validation and testing).
• Intimate (hands-on) familiarity with the EDA Physical Design flow in multiple process nodes and technologies using industry-standard EDA tools and PDKs.
• Strong understanding of IP design and its requirements, both analog and digital.
• Significant experience with the use of Synopsys or Cadence Physical Implementation including workflow development. (Innovus, Fusion Complier, etc...)

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience with the use of Cadence, Mentor, and Synopsys analog design and layout tools including PDK development. 
• Knowledge and experience with Linux systems and EDA tool installation and management.  
• Familiarity with verification and extraction tools such as Calibre, xACT 3D, Quantus, StarRC or EM/IR tools like VoltusFI.
• Strong experience with scripting in Python, Tcl, Perl, etc.
• Strong customer service experience.

The annual salary range for this role is $95,200 - $142,800.  Pay offered is based on many factors, including, but not limited to, the job-related experience, skills, education, and credentials of each candidate. 
 
SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well as other employee financial benefits, including 401k match, and life insurance. 

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site fitness facility, and an on-site self-serve market. 

SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. To request reasonable accommodations, to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or [email protected]. 

EOE, including disability/vets

We will never ask applicants to pay fees, purchase equipment or gift cards, or provide financial information before a formal offer of employment has been accepted. If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent our company, please verify its authenticity by contacting our recruitment team at [email protected] before responding.