LAYOUT DESIGN ENGINEER - CORK - IRELAND

Software Placements; Cork; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placements is seeking a Layout Design Engineer for a role based in Cork City, Ireland. You will be responsible for transistor-level physical layout implementation of advanced analog and mixed-signal circuits, collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Electronic Engineering and 1-3 years of experience in CMOS SERDES layout. Onsite presence is required 4 days per week.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years hands-on experience with CMOS SERDES or high-speed I/O IC layout.
• Practical knowledge of custom layout methodologies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers and project stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Perform custom transistor-level layout for high-speed SerDes blocks.
• Support physical design implementation activities such as floorplanning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Analog Design and Physical Verification.

Skills

Experience with CMOS SERDES layout

Strong problem-solving skills

Clear communication

Collaboration with global teams

Education

Degree in Electronic Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Cadence tools

Scripting languages (Tcl, Perl, Python)

Job description

Client

Our client a leading Multinational Semiconductor Company requires Layout Design Engineer for a role based in Cork City, Ireland.

You will be required to be onsite 4 days per week.

Role

You will be responsible for transistor-level physical layout implementation of advanced analog and mixed-signal circuits for next‑generation high‑speed interface IP.

This role sits within the UCIe IPs Team based in Cork, Ireland, and works closely with cross‑functional engineering partners to deliver high‑quality, manufacturable designs.

Responsibilities

• Perform custom transistor‑level layout for high‑speed SerDes blocks, including PLLs, Clock and Data Recovery (CDR), TX/RX analog front‑ends, equalisers (CTLE/DFE), bandgap and bias circuits, high‑speed clock distribution networks and UCIe PHY.
• Partner closely with analog and mixed‑signal circuit designers to understand performance requirements and optimise floorplanning, parasitic‑sensitive routing, signal integrity, and matching.
• Support physical design implementation activities such as floorplanning, device placement, routing, shielding and isolation, power planning, and EM/IR‑aware layout practices.
• Run and debug physical verification flows, including DRC, LVS, ERC, parasitic extraction, and post‑layout verification support.
• Apply advanced layout techniques such as common‑centroid structures, interdigitation, symmetry constraints, guard rings, dummy fill, and matching‑aware routing.
• Optimise layouts for area, yield, performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Analog Design, Digital Implementation, Packaging, Signal Integrity, and Physical Verification.

Education

• Degree in Electronic Engineering, Microelectronics, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

Experience

• 1–3 years hands‑on experience with CMOS SERDES or high‑speed I/O IC layout at the transistor level.
• Practical knowledge of custom layout methodologies and parasitic‑aware design techniques.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers and project stakeholders across global teams.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, clear communication, and a collaborative working style.

Desirable (Nice‑to‑have)

• Experience with PHY GDS implementation, including PMA/PCS integration and clock/power distribution.
• UCIe or die‑to‑die PHY development.
• Familiarity with ASIC design flows, hierarchical physical design strategies, and deep sub‑micron technology challenges.
• Exposure to EM/IR, low‑power design considerations, crosstalk analysis, physical verification, and DFM.
• Experience contributing to tape‑outs on advanced technology nodes (e.g. 16nm, 10nm, 7nm, 5nm, or 3nm).
• Scripting or automation experience using Tcl, Perl, or Python.
• Prior use of Cadence tools or collaboration with EDA R&D teams (e.g. Virtuoso, PVS).