Design Automation / Standard Cell Characterization Engineer

Solidigm; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 121,280 - 194,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSU program

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Solidigm seeks a Design Automation / Library Characterization Engineer to lead standard cell library flows, automation, and QA infrastructure. You will bridge library development with synthesis and timing signoff, and enable DFE flows with frontend teams for robust RTL-to-GDSII delivery.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in characterization and DA flow development, strong scripting, and hands-on experience with Synopsys and Cadence toolchains.

Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in standard cell library characterization and validation
• 5+ years of experience in design automation and EDA flow development
• Hands-on experience with digital frontend flows, including synthesis and STA
• Strong scripting proficiency in Python, Perl, Tcl, and Bash
• Experience with Cadence and Synopsys toolchains (Virtuoso, Conformal, Siliconsmart, Fusion Compiler, Design Compiler, PrimeTime)

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end standard cell library characterization and release flows
• Develop and enhance DA automation frameworks
• Drive library QA and validation infrastructure
• Support Digital Frontend enablement for synthesis and STA
• Enable multi-release and cross-version comparisons
• Support PnR and full-chip integration flows
• Improve ECO and design closure productivity
• Partner cross-functionally with RTL, frontend, backend, PDK, and CAD teams

Skills

Standard cell characterization

EDA flow development

Digital frontend flows

Python scripting

Scripting: Perl/Tcl/Bash

Education

MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Synopsys tools: Siliconsmart, Fusion Compiler, Design Compiler, PrimeTime

Cadence tools: Virtuoso, Conformal

Job description

Design Automation / Standard Cell Characterization Engineer

• Full-time
• Department: NAND Development
• Compensation: USD 121,280 - USD 194,100 - yearly

Join a multibillion-dollar global company that brings together amazing technology, people, and operational scale to become a powerhouse in the memory industry. Headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California, Solidigm combines elements of an established, successful technology company with the spirit, agility, and entrepreneurial mindset of a start-up. In addition to the U.S. headquarters and other facilities in the U.S., the company has international presence in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Solidigm will continue to lead the world in innovating new Memory technologies with aspirations to be the #1 NAND memory company in the world. At Solidigm, we view problems as opportunities to define innovative solutions that hold the power to change the world and unleash the potential technological needs that the future holds. At Solidigm, we are One Team that fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that embraces individual uniqueness and empowers us to bring our best selves to deliver excellence in support of Solidigm's vision and mission to be the go-to partner for optimized data storage solutions. You can be part of the takeoff of an innovative business that develops cutting-edge products, delivers strong business value for customers, provides an engaging workplace for its employees, and serves a greater impact on the world. This is a golden opportunity for the right applicant to join us and help design, build, and lead Solidigm. We want a diverse team of dedicated professionals who will not just be Solidigm team members but contribute to how we shape the future of the organization. We are seeking applicants who will grow and thrive in our culture; be customer inspired, trusting, innovative, team-oriented, inclusive, results driven, collaborative, passionate, and flexible.

We are seeking a Design Automation / Library Characterization Engineer to lead development and delivery of standard cell library flows, automation, and quality infrastructure for advanced NAND/ASIC programs. This role will also support Digital Frontend (DFE) enablement, bridging library development with synthesis and timing signoff requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Standard cell library characterization and release flows
  • Work on end-to-end characterization (nominal + low voltage) using tools like Liberate/Siliconsmart
  • Deliver complete library collaterals (.lib, LEF, GDS, CDL, Verilog, NDM, etc.)
• Develop and enhance DA automation frameworks
  • Build scalable automation using Python, Perl, Tcl, and shell scripting
  • Improve flow efficiency (runtime reduction, reuse models, incremental characterization)
• Drive library QA and validation infrastructure
  • Develop QA flows for cross-collateral consistency (lib, netlists, layouts, timing views)
  • Implement equivalency checks, validation dashboards, and automated reporting
• Support Digital Frontend (DFE) enablement
  • Partner with frontend teams to ensure high-quality library deliverables for synthesis and STA
  • Enable flows for Design Compiler / Fusion Compiler and PrimeTime integration
  • Validate timing models, constraints, and library views for RTL-to-Gates and timing closure flows
  • Support debugging of synthesis and timing issues related to library quality and modeling
• Enable multi-release and cross-version comparisons
  • Build tools for library comparison (timing, power, leakage, constraints)
  • Support regression validation across process and voltage corners
• Support PnR and full-chip integration flows
  • Contribute to APR collateral generation (NDM, FRAM, AOCV, IR, etc.)
  • Execute flows from netlist to GDS (floorplan, timing closure, verification)
• Improve ECO and design closure productivity
  • Enhance ECO automation flows (e.g., Conformal/ICC2 flows)
  • Reduce manual debug time via automation (antenna fixes, constraint handling)
• Partner cross-functionally
  • Work with RTL, frontend, backend, PDK, and CAD teams to align flows and deliverables
  • Support fast-paced tapeouts with high-quality, production-ready libraries

Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in standard cell library characterization and validation, including generation and delivery of production-quality collaterals
• 5+ years of experience in design automation and EDA flow development, with a focus on scalable and maintainable methodologies
• Hands-on experience with digital frontend flows, including synthesis and static timing analysis (STA)
• Strong expertise with Synopsys tools, including Siliconsmart, Fusion Compiler, Design Compiler, and PrimeTime
• Experience with Cadence tools, including Virtuoso and Conformal
• Strong scripting proficiency in Python, Perl, Tcl, and Bash, applied to flow development, automation, and debug

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience in library enablement for RTL-to-GDSII flows, including integration across synthesis, STA, and physical design
• Strong expertise in timing model validation and constraint development, ensuring accuracy across design scenarios
• Hands-on experience with AOCV and variation-aware timing methodologies
• Proven experience building QA/validation frameworks and large-scale automation systems to improve flow robustness and efficiency
• Experience developing or supporting frontend debug flows, including synthesis QoR analysis and timing closure debug
• Familiarity with MCMM design methodology, including setup and debug across multi-mode/multi-corner scenarios
• Exposure to NAND/ASIC tapeout environments and end-to-end design flows

This position is also eligible to participate in Solidigm's restricted stock unit (RSU), restricted cash unit (RCU), and cash bonus programs. In addition, Solidigm offers a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, supplemental life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a company match on eligible 401(k) plan contributions.

The compensation range for this role is $121,280 - $194,100. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.