Senior RF/mmWave IC Design Engineer, 24 months

University College Dublin; Dublin; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University College Dublin invites applications for a temporary Senior RF/mmWave IC Design Engineer role within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The appointee will lead engineering execution, layout synthesis, and top-level integration of a sub-THz transceiver SoC, coordinating RF, analog, digital and test teams to ensure design integrity.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, responsibilities include sign-off methodologies and post-silicon validation to deliver

Qualifications

• RF / mmWave / sub-THz IC design.
• Custom RF/Analog layout & parasitic extraction.
• Electromagnetic (EM) modeling & passive structure optimization.
• Silicon characterization.
• Validation.
• Lab bring-up.
• Cadence Virtuoso environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct engineering execution, layout synthesis, and top-level integration of a sub-THz transceiver SoC.
• Coordinate cross-functional RF, analog, digital, and test teams for design integrity.
• Establish sign-off methodologies and post-silicon validation frameworks.
• Deliver tape-out-ready components for a startup-facing venture.
• Oversee block-level circuit delivery, floorplanning, and layout supervision.

Skills

RF/mmWave design

Analog layout

EM modeling

Silicon characterization

Validation

Lab bring-up

Cadence Virtuoso

Job description

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Senior RF/mmWave IC Design Engineer within UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

This technical leadership role exists to direct the engineering execution, layout synthesis, and final top-level integration of a sub-THz transceiver SoC. Operating within UCD's deep-tech commercialization framework, the appointee translates project milestones into scalable silicon architectures. The position serves as a principal coordinator across cross-functional RF, analog, digital, and test teams, ensuring technical synchronization and design integrity.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the appointee maintains primary technical accountability for block-level circuit delivery, floorplanning, and layout supervision. Key responsibilities include establishing sign-off methodologies and defining comprehensive post-silicon validation frameworks to deliver tape-out-ready components optimized to anchor an early-stage deep-tech startup venture.

The mmWave TRx project, funded under an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund programme, is focused on the development of a highly integrated sub-THz transceiver SoC for next-generation communication and sensing applications. The project combines cutting-edge RFIC design, antenna integration, and silicon validation, with the definitive objective of creating robust technology suitable for a future venture-backed spin-out company.

Salary Range: €65,000 - €80,000 Per Annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 12 November 2026.

Desired Skills and Experience

• RF / mmWave / sub-THz IC Design
• Custom RF/Analog Layout & Parasitic Extraction
• Electromagnetic (EM) Modeling & Passive Structure Optimization
• Silicon Characterization
• Validation
• Lab Bring-up
• Cadence Virtuoso Environment