Project Lead ASIC Engineer

Draper; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace flexibility

Employee clubs

Workshops on health and finance

Off-site social events

Museum discounts

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA is seeking an energetic ASIC project leader who guides teams and partners with customers to meet mission goals. You will design and simulate transistor-level circuits, contribute to system-level design, and drive architectures while ensuring performance, power and cost targets are met.

Lead cross-functional teams, document best practices, and mentor engineers as you support business development and proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; 5–7 years ASIC hardware experience.
• Master’s degree preferred with 3–5 years experience; PhD possible with 0–2 years.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams on ASIC projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate transistor-level circuits to meet specs.
• Contribute to system-level design and architecture.
• Optimize hardware for performance, power and cost.
• Evaluate hardware feasibility of complex algorithms.
• Independently lead chip architectures and designs.
• Drive solutions and adapt to changing requirements.
• Contribute to business development and proposals.
• Document and teach best practices to engineers.
• Perform or guide physical layout and floor-planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

IC design

Semiconductors

Design specs

Team management

Communication

Mathematics

Detail orientation

Time management

Analytical skills

Task prioritization

Program delivery

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's preferred

Tools

Layout tools

Circuit simulation

FA tools

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

Draper is looking for an energetic, service‑mindful ASIC project leader, who enjoys helping others to succeed by providing team members and clients with motivation and support in a positive and professional work environment. A highly motivated individual who will challenge teammates to achieve execution goals while maintaining strong working relationships within Draper and with customers in support of mission goals.

Duties and 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 and 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 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. Master’s 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lead a cross‑functional team on the execution and development of custom ASICs that support project and mission goals
• Work with wafer fabrication, assembly & test sites to guarantee schedule, cost, and quality
• Provide clear direction to both internal team and external support organizations such as device fabrication and assembly and test sites
• Drive and motivate team members critical to the flawless execution of each ASIC and project
• Provide weekly and monthly updates to program management on status of projects, explaining the issues facing a project
• Interact with customers in support of project status, key milestones, and deliveries. This includes sample deliveries, wafer lot progress, assembly, and testing
• Drive reliability and characterization of integrated circuits to ensure they meet the requirement specifications and manufacturing requirements
• Work with failure analysis (FA) to determine root cause of any reliability and qualification failures
• Maintain thorough and up‑to‑date project schedules with all related milestones
• Develop and implement qualification plans
• Communicate weekly to management on status of each project
• Effectively coordinate material logistics and shipment/assembly/test prioritization
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and set realistic plans based on required tasks with available resources
• Ability to effectively coordinate and lead geographically diverse development teams on projects that include design, silicon fabrication, test development, qualification and production ramp
• Ability to provide clear direction to both internal teams and external support organizations such as device fabrication and assembly sites
• Knowledge of device packaging and wafer fabrication process
• Knowledge of reliability requirements and characterization methodology using statistical analysis
• Ability to work in a team environment and understand cross‑functional team dynamics
• Ability to work with customers to align project schedules with customers’ key milestones
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in teams and collaborate effectively with people in different functions
• Strong time‑management skills that enable on‑time project delivery
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, influential relationships
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced and rapidly changing environment
• Ability to take the initiative and drive for results

Additional Requirements

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

Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139‑3563

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is $95,000.00 – $245,000.00.

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 does not include bonuses or benefits.

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.

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].