Layout Design, Engineer

Synopsys, Inc.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Synopsys, Inc. in Ottawa is seeking a layout designer to translate schematics into analog mask layouts, collaborating with circuit designers to ensure designs meet specifications. You will use layout tools to place devices, route connections, and verify DRC/LVS before handing off work.

You will write and modify scripts in Python or PCL to automate repetitive tasks and improve turnaround time, while operating under mentorship to become an independent contributor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• Hands-on layout design experience in analog or custom layouts.
• Familiarity with DRC/LVS concepts and layout verification tools.

Responsibilities

• Design analog mask layouts from schematics for blocks from cells to subsystems.
• Collaborate with schematic designers to meet design intent, performance targets, and manufacturability.

Skills

Layout design

Schematic-to-layout

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

PCL

Job description

We Are

Synopsys is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI‑powered products. We deliver industry‑leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow.

You Are

You understand that a well‑designed layout is not just about fitting shapes on a floorplan. It is about translating a schematic into something that will actually work in silicon, with all the parasitics, matching constraints, and routing realities that come with it. You have spent time learning how electronic devices behave at the physical level, and you know that a careless placement decision early on can create headaches for everyone downstream.

You are comfortable working from a schematic someone else designed and turning it into a mask layout that meets spec. You do not need to know everything on day one. You ask questions when something does not make sense, you take feedback without taking it personally, and you get better each time you close a block.

Automation does not intimidate you. Whether it is Python, PCL, or something else, you see scripting as a tool to make repetitive work faster and more accurate. You want to learn, you want to contribute, and you want to work with a team that will help you grow into a layout designer who can own blocks independently.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design analog mask layouts from schematics provided by circuit designers, working on blocks that range from small cells to larger subsystems
• Collaborate closely with schematic designers to ensure your layout meets design intent, performance targets, and manufacturability requirements
• Use layout tools to place devices, route connections, and verify DRC and LVS compliance before handing off your work
• Write and modify scripts in Python or PCL to automate repetitive layout tasks and improve turnaround time
• Participate in design reviews where you will walk through your layout decisions and incorporate feedback from senior designers
• Work under mentorship for the first few months as you ramp on the team's design flow, tools, and standards, with the goal of becoming an independent contributor

The Impact You Will Have

• Your layouts will directly enable circuit designers to move forward with verification and tapeout, keeping projects on schedule
• The quality of your work will reduce the number of layout respins and follow‑up fixes, saving time for the entire design team
• Your ability to automate portions of the layout process will free up senior designers to focus on more complex blocks
• You will help maintain the design standards and best practices that make the Ottawa team's output reliable and repeatable
• As you grow into independence, you will take ownership of full blocks, reducing bottlenecks and increasing team capacity
• Your attention to detail in DRC and LVS cleanup will prevent costly errors from reaching fabrication

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field with 1 to 2 years of layout design experience
• A solid understanding of electronic devices, how transistors, capacitors, resistors, and interconnects behave at the physical level
• Hands‑on experience with analog or custom layout design, whether from internships, school projects, or professional work
• Familiarity with layout verification tools and concepts like DRC and LVS
• Some exposure to scripting or automation, Python or PCL experience is a strong plus
• Willingness to relocate to Ottawa and work onsite full time as you ramp with the team

Who You Are

• You can take a schematic, ask clarifying questions about design intent, and produce a layout that meets the spec without needing constant check‑ins
• When a senior designer gives you feedback on device matching or routing strategy, you absorb it, apply it to the next block, and do not make the same mistake twice
• You are organized enough to manage multiple layout tasks in parallel and keep track of which blocks are in what state without dropping anything
• You get along with your teammates, you show up ready to collaborate, and you do not create friction when things get busy or deadlines tighten

The Team You'll Be Part Of

You will work with the layout and design team based in Ottawa. For the first few months, you will collaborate closely with layout and mask designers who will help you learn the team's design flow, tool environment, and quality standards. Once you demonstrate independence, you will have the opportunity to interface with other teams as needed. The team values designers who can deliver clean, complete work that does not require follow‑up fixes, and they will support your growth as you build toward that standard.

Rewards and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non‑monetary offerings. Your recruiter will provide more details about the salary range and benefits during the hiring process.