Quantum PDK Design Enablement Engineer
About The Position
The Design Enablement Engineer, DRC/LVS/PEX is responsible for developing, qualifying, and deploying physical verification and parasitic extraction components for semiconductor Process Design Kits (PDKs). The role translates complex process and design requirements into accurate, robust, and efficient DRC, LVS, and PEX rule decks and verification flows, while advancing automation and AI/ML-assisted methodologies to improve PDK quality, development efficiency, and customer design success. The Design Enablement Engineer develops and deploys critical PDK components that accurately represent semiconductor manufacturing processes within customer design and verification environments. The engineer will work at the intersection of process technology, design rules, device modeling, EDA, circuit design, and physical design to create differentiated physical verification and extraction solutions that enable first-time-right product designs. The role will have particular responsibility for Design Rule Checking (DRC), Layout Versus Schematic (LVS), and Parasitic Extraction (PEX) rule development, validation, release, and continuous improvement. The engineer will also develop advanced automation and explore AI/ML-based approaches for rule generation, test-case creation, coverage analysis, debugging, anomaly detection, and verification-flow optimization.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Microelectronics, Computer Science, Applied Physics, or a related technical field.
- Relevant experience in semiconductor PDK development, physical verification, EDA, IC physical design, parasitic extraction, or a related field, with minimum years aligned to the applicable GF career level.
- Experience with DRC and/or LVS rule development, coding, debug, or qualification.
- Understanding of parasitic resistance and capacitance extraction, interconnect modeling, layout-dependent effects, and their impact on circuit performance.
- Working knowledge of CMOS process technologies, semiconductor devices, layout design rules, interconnect structures, and design-to-manufacturing interactions.
- Experience with industry-standard physical verification and/or extraction environments and rule-deck development methodologies.
- Experience with scripting or programming languages such as Python, Tcl, Perl, shell scripting, or equivalent for engineering automation, regression testing, and data analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems, perform structured root-cause analysis, and translate findings into robust engineering solutions.
- Up to 10% travel.
- Fluency in English Language: Written and verbal.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Microelectronics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Experience developing and releasing production PDK DRC, LVS, and/or PEX rule decks for semiconductor technologies.
- Experience with physical verification environments such as Siemens Calibre, Synopsys IC Validator, Cadence Pegasus/PVS, or equivalent tools.
- Experience with PEX technology-file development, RC extraction, process-corner modeling, and silicon/model correlation.
- Experience developing automated regression environments, rule coverage metrics, test structures, or PDK qualification methodologies.
- Experience applying AI/ML, generative AI, or data-driven techniques to semiconductor design enablement, such as automated rule coding, test-pattern generation, verification debug, error classification, or PDK quality analysis.
- Understanding of interactions among process integration, design rules, OPC/lithography, device modeling, reliability, extraction, and circuit design.
- Experience collaborating directly with EDA vendors and internal or external design teams to develop and deploy differentiated design enablement capabilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong planning and organizational skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop, code, qualify, and maintain DRC, LVS, and PEX rule decks and associated PDK components that accurately represent semiconductor process, device, interconnect, and design requirements.
- Translate process integration requirements, design rules, device definitions, and electrical models into production-quality physical verification and extraction solutions for customer and internal design flows.
- Develop comprehensive regression and test methodologies to validate rule-deck correctness, coverage, performance, scalability, and compatibility across supported technology and EDA environments.
- Analyze and debug complex DRC, LVS, and PEX issues, identify root causes, and work with process, modeling, design, and EDA teams to resolve discrepancies between process intent and design-flow implementation.
- Partner with process technology, design rule, compact modeling, reliability, circuit design, layout, and EDA teams to ensure accurate representation of semiconductor technologies throughout the design-to-manufacturing flow.
- Develop differentiated automation and AI/ML-assisted methodologies for rule-deck development, automated test generation, coverage assessment, error classification, anomaly detection, debugging, and continuous verification of PDK quality.
- Optimize physical verification and extraction flows for accuracy, runtime, memory usage, scalability, usability, and deployment into production design environments.
- Drive PDK quality and release readiness through structured qualification, regression testing, documentation, change management, and continuous improvement based on internal and customer design feedback.
- Perform all activities in a safe and responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
- Work and collaborate on other projects and/or assignments as needed.
Benefits
- Full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services
- Global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents
- Competitive salary range
- Equal opportunity in the workplace
- Cultural diversity within the company enhances business potential
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
