Integrated Circuits Intern

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Work-life balance

Employee clubs

Museum discounts

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA seeks an ASIC Design Intern to join the Silicon Architecture group, contributing to IC design from concept through delivery.

You will work with analog and digital designers to identify trades and develop top-level specifications, enabling efficient design solutions. This internship emphasizes collaboration, testing, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Strong knowledge of IC design tools, especially Cadence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong math, problem-solving and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design and enhance IC design solutions through concept to delivery.
• Collaborate with analog and digital circuit designers.
• Develop test plans and documentation; generate reports.
• Support verification and SOC design trade studies.
• Contribute to bench testing and design optimization.

Skills

Cadence tools

Communication

Math skills

Time management

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student

Tools

Cadence suite

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 Design Intern in the Silicon Architecture group contributes to the design of integrated circuits from conceptual phases through detailed design, implementation, verification, test and delivery to our customers. The Architect is responsible for developing initial architectural concepts and vetting them through modeling, analysis, and simulation. The Architect works with both Analog and Digital Circuit Designers to identify opportunities for trades across domains which enable the most efficient design solution. The Architect develops top level and circuit-level specifications, develops conceptual circuit designs, reviews detailed block-level designs during implementation, conducts chip level-planning with implementation team, and provides inputs to verification and test planning.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and enhancement engineering solutions for challenging problems.
• Implement, test, perform analysis, and provide documentation support.
• Generate and present test reports including plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions from data collected and analyzed throughout the test process.
• Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Program Requirements

Enrolled in an accredited full‑time undergraduate or graduate degree program required. There is flexibility regarding hours and program duration based on applicant’s school schedule and availability.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent work ethic with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt to ever‑changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Additional Job Description: Duties/Responsibilities

• Contribute to integrated circuit‑based solutions to complex customer problems.
• Contribute to integrated circuit requirements based on customer needs.
• Design and simulate circuits using functional modeling tools (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink, System Verilog)
• Design and simulate circuits at the transistor level to implement architecture.
• Perform System‑on‑chip (SOC) design trades between analog, digital hardware, and software implementations to deliver optimized designs.
• Evaluate feasibility and costs/benefits of algorithm implementation in hardware vs software.
• Participate in top level verification planning with verification team.
• Thrive in multidisciplinary design teams, communicating effectively to peers and supervisors.
• Develop design documentation, e.g. architectural description, interface definition, and requirements.
• Contribute to test plans and conduct bench‑level testing.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Cadence or equivalent integrated circuit design tools e.g. Virtuoso, Genus, Innovus, Tempus, Voltus
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency or interest in learning high level mixed‑signal modeling & verification tools such as System Verilog, SV‑RNM, Verilog‑AMS
• Proficient in scripting (e.g. Python, SKILL) for automating aspects of the design, implementation, verification, and test flows.
• Applicants selected for this position may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance

Job Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139-3563

Salary

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $20.00 - $45.00

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.

Note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Work-Life Balance and Benefits

Draper supports many programs to improve work‑life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off‑site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

Equal Opportunity

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].

Join Us

Join our inclusive, multidisciplinary team to engineer the groundbreaking solutions of tomorrow. Explore life at Draper with our unique culture and benefits at draper.com.