Role description
VLSI Design Engineer
Retym, IncWe are looking for talented and experienced VLSI Design Engineers/Micro-architects.
As an VLSI Digital Design Engineer/Micro-architect, you'll have the opportunity to design highly sophisticated, innovative new cutting edge communication systems from scratch.
Key Responsibilities for a VLSI Design Engineer:
Work closely with Algorithm and Architecture teams
- Understand and translate high-level algorithmic requirements into efficient hardware implementations.
Learn and analyze relevant protocols and standards
- Interpret protocol specifications (e.g., Ethernet, etc.) and apply them accurately in design.
Participate in all design stages:
- Micro-architecture definition
- RTL coding (using Verilog/SystemVerilog)
- Synthesis-friendly coding and timing-aware design
Collaborate cross-functionally:
- Verification team: For testbench development, debug support, and functional coverage closure.
- DFT team: Ensure design is scan-insertable, supports ATPG, BIST, etc.
- Backend/Physical design team: For floorplanning, timing closure, and routing feedback.
Participate in Design Reviews
- Present and defend design decisions in peer and formal reviews.
Perform Synthesis and Timing Analysis
- Generate synthesis constraints (SDC), run synthesis, and analyze timing reports.
Debug and Fix Functional/Timing Issues
- Collaborate in post-silicon or pre-silicon debug; use waveforms, assertions, and logic analyzers.
Optimize for Area, Power, and Performance (PPA)
- Identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement within RTL.
Documentation
- Maintain clear design documentation for reusability and reference (e.g., micro-architecture specs, interface docs).
Contribute to IP/SoC Integration
- Work on integrating design blocks into larger systems and handling system-level interfaces.
Participate in Silicon Bring-up and Validation (optional but valuable)
- Support bring-up of first silicon and assist with post-silicon validation, if applicable.
Keep up-to-date with Industry Trends and Tools
- Learn new EDA tools, languages, and methodologies (e.g., CDC, Linting, Formal Verification).
Requirements:
Job requirements:
- +5 years of experience as ASIC/VLSI digital design engineer
- Strong Verilog/System-Verilog experience
- Familiar with simulation tools/environments, verification methodologies
- Strong team player, solid interpersonal skills
- Entrepreneurial can-do attitude, self-motivated, able to work independently
- BS/MS in EE/CE from lead universities
Background in one or more of the following domains is an advantage:
- Familiar with advanced design practices (Clock/Voltage domain crossing, Low Power Design, DFT)
- Design DSP of oriented blocks
- Ethernet (100G and above)
- Scripting experience using several of the following: Python, Perl, TCL