AI enabled PDK Development Engineer

GlobalFoundries inc.; Essex Junction (VT); On-site; USD 69,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GlobalFoundries is seeking an AI-Enabled PDK Development Engineer to develop, test, and support AI-guided PDK solutions for LVS, DRC, PEX, and OPC. You will collaborate with PDK experts across LVS, DRC, and Design Manual development, applying Python, ML, large language models, and code-generation in a Linux environment.

The role emphasizes automating pipelines, validating AI outputs, and delivering maintainable rule decks for advanced CMOS, cryogenic, quantum, and photonic technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering, CS, or related field.
• 2+ years in AI/ML, software engineering, data science, or related field; 3–5+ years for higher levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, maintain, and support PDK code and rules for LVS/DRC/PEX/OPC.
• Apply AI-guided methods to generate, translate, review, debug, optimize rule-deck code.
• Build automated pipelines turning process/design requirements into rules and tests.
• Contribute to test layouts, reference results, and regression suites.

Skills

Python

AI/ML methods

Linux/Unix

C/C++

Java

Education

Engineering/CS degree

Tools

Siemens Calibre

Synopsys IC Validator

Cadence Pegasus

Quantus

Job description

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world's most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

Summary of Role

GlobalFoundries is seeking an AI-Enabled PDK Development Engineer with strong artificial intelligence and software-engineering skills to develop, implement, test, and support AI-guided physical-verification, extraction, manufacturability, and design-documentation solutions. The engineer will work closely with technical experts in PDK development who will provide domain expertise across LVS, DRC, PEX, OPC, and Design Manual development. The role will apply Python, machine learning, large language models, code generation, natural-language processing, and software-development practices to improve efficiency and quality for advanced CMOS, cryogenic, quantum, photonic, and heterogeneous-integration technologies. Semiconductor or prior PDK experience is beneficial but not required.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, test, maintain, and support PDK code and rule content for layout-versus-schematic (LVS), design-rule checking (DRC), parasitic extraction (PEX), optical proximity correction (OPC), and associated Design Manual requirements.
• Apply AI-guided methods to generate, translate, review, debug, optimize, and regression-test rule-deck code under established expert review, traceability, and release controls.
• Implement, test, and support automated pipelines that convert approved process and design requirements into structured rules, test cases, documentation, and quality evidence.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of representative positive and negative test layouts, golden reference results, coverage metrics, and regression suites for physical-verification and extraction deliverables.
• Use machine learning, natural-language processing, code-generation techniques, and data analytics to identify rule gaps, inconsistencies, duplicate content, likely failure modes, and opportunities for development acceleration.
• Analyze and correlate PEX and OPC outputs with silicon, process, metrology, electromagnetic, and simulation data as applicable, and contribute improvements to model and rule fidelity across relevant operating conditions.
• Implement, test, document, and support deliverables within commercial EDA environments and PDK release flows, using version control, continuous integration, issue tracking, change management, and release documentation.
• Collaborate with process integration, device, modeling, mask, lithography, design enablement, PDK, EDA, and circuit-design teams to translate technology requirements into accurate, maintainable, and customer-usable design collateral.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform all activities in a safe and responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
• Work and collaborate on other projects and/or assignments as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Education - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Microelectronics, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience - Relevant experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, data science, automation, or a closely related field. Approximately 2+ years of relevant experience for Level 5 and 3-5+ years for Level 6 are preferred; final experience requirements and leveling will be aligned with GF scoping guidelines. Relevant academic research, internships, co-ops, and substantial project experience may be considered.
• Strong Python programming and software-engineering skills, including development of maintainable code, automated testing, debugging, version control, documentation, and integration of software components or workflows.
• Strong practical experience with AI/ML methods, large language models, code generation, natural-language processing, retrieval or knowledge-grounding techniques, optimization, or data analytics applied to engineering or software-development workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to learn a highly technical domain, collaborate closely with subject-matter experts, and translate domain requirements into accurate, maintainable, and testable software solutions.
• Proficiency with at least one additional programming language or development environment such as Tcl, Perl, C/C++, Java, or equivalent, and experience working in Linux/Unix environments.
• Ability to validate AI-generated outputs through deterministic checks, regression testing, expert review, version control, and documented acceptance criteria.
• Experience designing and executing automated tests, regression suites, acceptance criteria, and structured technical documentation for software or AI-enabled workflows.
• Travel - Up to 10%.
• Fluency in English - written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Semiconductor, foundry, or PDK background, including familiarity with semiconductor device physics, process layers, devices, connectivity, geometry rules, parasitic effects, layout verification, and PDK release practices.
• Experience with EDA rule-deck development or physical-verification and extraction platforms for LVS, DRC, PEX, or OPC, such as Siemens Calibre, Synopsys IC Validator/StarRC, Cadence Pegasus/PVS/Quantus, or equivalent tools.
• Experience developing AI-assisted coding agents, retrieval-augmented generation, rule or code translation, automated test generation, static analysis, or engineering knowledge systems.
• Experience with foundry Design Manual development, machine-readable design-rule specifications, requirements traceability, or links among documentation, rule decks, and test cases.
• Knowledge of PCell and technology-file development, reliability rules, density/fill, antenna checking, electromagnetic extraction, or advanced-package/3DIC verification.
• Experience with cryogenic, quantum, photonic, superconducting, advanced packaging, or heterogeneous-integration design enablement.
• Familiarity with model governance, data provenance, secure use of proprietary design data, reproducibility, and responsible deployment of AI-enabled engineering methods.
• Experience with continuous integration/continuous delivery, containerized environments, issue-tracking systems, and automated PDK QA dashboards.
• Project execution and organizational skills, including the ability to contribute ideas, implement practical solutions, collaborate effectively, and navigate ambiguity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and strong planning and organizational skills.

Expected Salary Range

$69,000.00 - $120,000.00

The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

An offer with GlobalFoundries is conditioned upon the successful completion of pre-employment conditions, as applicable, and subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

GlobalFoundries is fully committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and believes that cultural diversity within the company enhances its business potential. GlobalFoundries goal of excellence in business necessitates the attraction and retention of highly qualified people. Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally discriminatory.

All policies and processes which pertain to employees including recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, compensation, benefits, extracurricular programs, and termination are created and implemented without regard to age, ethnicity, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic or category specified by local, state or federal law