ASIC CAD Engineer

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 82,300 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper Labs in Cambridge, MA, is seeking an ASIC CAD Engineer to join their Integrated Circuits division. This role involves partnering with design teams, enabling EDA tools, and supporting hardware designs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in integrated circuit design and a relevant degree.

The position requires proficiency with Cadence and Siemens EDA tools, and includes responsibilities such as circuit design, optimization, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field. Masters degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 3-5 years with a master's degree, or 0-2 years with a PhD in ASIC Hardware Engineering or related.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate circuits at transistor-level.
• Contribute to system-level design.
• Optimize hardware designs for performance, power, and cost.
• Independently contribute to complex chip architectures.
• Drive solutions to complex problems.
• Contribute to business development.
• Develop and teach best practices to less experienced engineers.

Skills

Integrated circuit design

Proficiency with Cadence and Siemens EDA tools

Gitlab

CI/CD

Scripting languages

EDA flow automation

Linux system administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross‑fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary

An ASIC CAD Engineer in the Integrated Circuits division is the technical partner for Digital, Analog and Mixed‑Signal design teams. They enable the use of EDA tools, maintain EDA licenses, install PDK data, support the compute farm, manage revision control systems and assist design teams with tool issues. The preferred candidate will be able to work on site, is proficient with Cadence and Siemens EDA tools, Gitlab, CI/CD, SOS, scripting languages, EDA flow automation, and familiar enough with Linux for some system administration work.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Design and simulate circuits at transistor‑level to implement architecture and requirement specifications
• Contribute to system‑level design
• Optimize hardware designs for performance, power, and cost
• Evaluate the hardware feasibility of complex algorithms and requirements
• Independently contribute to complex chip architectures and designs
• Independently drive solutions to complex problems – develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements
• Contribute to business development and proposal activities
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers
• Perform or guide physical layout, including floor‑planning, and simulate circuits using extracted parasitics
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills / Abilities

• Proficiency in integrated circuit design
• Understanding of integrated circuits, semiconductors, and general computer architecture
• Ability to write detailed design specifications
• Ability to manage small technical teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent mathematical skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time‑management skills to achieve program goals

Education

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field. Masters degree preferred.

Experience

• Requires 5‑7 years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 3‑5 years of experience with a master's degree, or 0‑2 years of experience with a PhD in ASIC Hardware Engineering or related.

Additional Job Description

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Job Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139‑3563

Salary

US base salary range for this full‑time position is $82,300.00 – $220,000.00. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement’s approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonuses or benefits.

EEO Statement

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high‑performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].