Senior Custom Design Engineer

Synthara AG; Zürich; On-site; CHF 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Switzerland is seeking an experienced engineer to design and verify high-performance, low-power SRAM and custom-digital sub-systems. You will own architecture and implementation for advanced nodes, ensuring efficient and robust designs. The ideal candidate has a Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years in SRAM design and strong scripting abilities in Python or Tcl. This role offers collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in custom digital, analog, or SRAM design.
• Proven ownership through complete design cycles on sub-blocks.
• Strong understanding of high-performance and low-power circuit design.

Responsibilities

• Design and verify embedded SRAM or custom digital blocks.
• Optimize for PPA on advanced nodes.
• Plan and run silicon correlation.

Skills

Circuit implementation

SRAM design

Low-power circuit design

Python scripting

Team collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Tcl

Job description

Design and ship high-performance, low-power SRAM and custom-digital sub-systems that sit at the core of our compute-in-memory technology. You will own architecture, circuit implementation, verification, and silicon correlation for advanced nodes, down to sub-5 nm, thereby improving both the efficiency and robustness of our macros. Expect hands‑on work on memory periphery and datapath interfaces, as well as close collaboration with layout, digital, backend, DFT, and test teams.

What you’ll do

• Design and verify embedded SRAM or custom digital blocks, including caches, register files, datapath, and datapath‑adjacent interfaces.
• Optimize for PPA on advanced nodes: variation and stability closure, corners and Monte Carlo, leakage and dynamic power reduction.
• Integrate for product: define clean digital boundaries and timing budgets so blocks drop into a digital‑on‑top flow without surprises.
• Plan and run silicon correlation: bring‑up, characterization benches, analysis of ATE data, clear errata, and fixes.
• Partner with layout early on floorplan, guarding, shielding, routing topology; review extraction and resolve EM/IR issues.
• Improve methods with scripts for characterization, regression, and reporting (Python or Tcl), and contribute specs, checklists, and reusable collateral.

Outcomes (first 18 months)

• Tape‑in and silicon of at least one SRAM or custom‑memory sub‑system that meets spec across PVT, with signed correlation and test reports.
• A measurable efficiency gain on an existing macro or block you optimize, documented with before/after data.
• A reusable design and verification kit (models, plans, scripts, checklists) that shortens the following variant’s cycle time.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering and 5+ years in custom digital, analog, or SRAM design.
• Proven ownership through complete design cycleson sub‑blocks.
• Strong understanding of high‑performance and low‑power circuit design on FinFET nodes, including bitcell stability and periphery trade‑offs.
• Ability to frame and communicate clear interfaces and constraints across teams; organized, self‑directed, delivery‑oriented.

Nice to have

• Scripting for automation and characterization (Python, Tcl).
• Experience with memory compiler development, characterization, or verification.
• DTCO or STCO experience aligning device, bitcell, and periphery choices with product goals.
• A creative mindset and a drive for continuous improvement aimed at extreme hardware optimization.

Apply

Send your CV and a short note (2–3 paragraphs on a design you owned, your toughest bug & how you solved it, an intro on what you like to do and how you see yourself as an engineer)

Interview flow (indicative)

• 30‑min intro with HR (role/context)
• Second Technical Deep Dive
• (Optional) Third Technical Deep Dive
• Systems/product conversation with management