Senior SRAM Layout Design Engineer

EXOS; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

EXOS is seeking a Senior SRAM Layout Design Engineer to own the complete custom layout process for SRAM bitcells, periphery, test structures, and memory macros in advanced CMOS nodes. You will collaborate with circuit, CAD, and foundry teams to deliver high-quality memory IP and mentor junior engineers.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership of layout, floorplanning, DRC/LVS checks, and advancing layout methodologies on cutting-edge process technologies.

Qualifications

• BSEE or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years hands-on custom IC layout experience as a senior IC layout contributor.
• Direct hands-on SRAM/memory IP layout experience, not just oversight.
• Experience on advanced nodes (3nm+) is required; 5nm is a plus.
• Strong understanding of SRAM layout, density, symmetry, shielding, and EMI/IR drop.
• Extensive experience with top-level verification, floorplanning, and macro assembly.
• Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso for custom layout creation.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and raise layout quality.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete custom layout process for SRAM bitcell arrays, periphery, and macros.
• Develop floorplans for SRAM and memory blocks, including power grid and routing channels.
• Perform DRC, LVS, ERC and antenna checks using Calibre/ICV or similar tools.
• Support EM/IR review, density/fill, DFM, and layout-dependent phenomena.
• Collaborate with circuit designers to ensure matching, symmetry, and reliability constraints.
• Coordinate with PnR/integration, foundry, and CAD teams to resolve top-level verification issues.
• Advance layout methodology, checklists, and reusable practices for memory IP.
• Mentor junior engineers and raise layout quality and execution rigor.

Skills

Senior IC layout

SRAM layout

Cadence Virtuoso

Calibre/ICV

Floorplanning

DFM/DPF and LVS/DRC

Top-level physical verification

Mentoring junior engineers

Collaboration with CAD/Foundry

Lod/ density/fill management

Education

BSEE or equivalent experience

Tools

Cadence Virtuoso

Calibre/ICV

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior SRAM Layout Design Engineer to own the complete custom layout process for SRAM bitcell arrays, memory periphery, test structures, and memory macros in advanced CMOS technologies at the leading edge of process scaling. This is a senior individual-contributor role - you'll own and contribute blocks alongside an established team of leads, not manage one. The role works closely with circuit design, PnR/integration, CAD, and foundry teams to deliver consistent, high-quality memory IP on advanced FinFET/GAA nodes, and includes reviewing layouts and mentoring junior engineers to raise layout quality and execution rigor across the team.

This project is at the start of a 1-1.5 year technology cadence rather than a short-cycle tapeout crunch, giving the team real runway to ramp onto a brand-new, still-stabilizing process node - a genuine draw for engineers who want to work at the cutting edge.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the complete custom layout process for SRAM bitcell arrays, memory periphery, test structures, and memory macros in advanced CMOS technologies.
• Develop and improve floorplans for SRAM and memory blocks, covering array layout, periphery positioning, power grid design, routing channels, and macro assembly.
• Carry out, debug, and complete DRC, LVS, ERC, antenna, and associated physical verification checks with tools such as Calibre, ICV, or similar workflows.
• Support EM/IR review, power integrity, density/fill, DFM, dummy insertion, layout-dependent effects, and other requirements for tapeout.
• Collaborate with circuit designers to convert schematics into layouts, ensuring matching, symmetry, shielding, parasitic targets, and reliability constraints are maintained.
• Collaborate with PnR and integration teams to resolve top-level DRC/LVS, pin access, boundary, routing, power-grid, and macro-integration issues.
• Implement and advance layout methodology, checklists, reusable practices, and quality standards for consistent memory IP delivery.
• Collaborate with foundry, CAD, and methodology teams on rule interpretation, deck behavior, waivers, and advanced-node process constraints.
• Review layouts, mentor junior engineers, and help raise layout quality and execution rigor across the team.

Required Qualifications

• BSEE or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of hands-on custom IC layout experience as a senior individual contributor (this is not a lead/people-management role), including 5+ years in SRAM, memory compiler, or full-custom memory IP layout.
• Hands-on, personal ownership of custom digital SRAM layout - candidates must have directly executed the layout themselves, not simply overseen or reviewed it. This role is not a fit for mixed-signal or analog layout backgrounds.
• Hands-on experience at TSMC 3nm or a more advanced process node. Experience limited to 10nm or 7nm does not meet the bar for this role; 5nm is a plus, but 3nm is the minimum.
• Solid grasp of SRAM and memory layout principles.
• Extensive experience in Cadence Virtuoso applied to custom layout creation and assessment.
• Extensive experience in DRC/LVS debugging using Calibre, ICV, or similar physical verification tools.
• Experience with floorplanning, block-level routing, macro assembly, pin planning, boundary/interface management, and top-level physical verification.
• Direct familiarity with advanced-node layout limitations and layout-dependent phenomena, including LOD, density/fill, matching, symmetry, shielding, electromigration, IR drop, and DFM or similar expertise.
• Ability to work effectively with circuit build, physical build, integration, CAD, and foundry teams.
• Clear communication, strong ownership, good judgment, and the ability to mentor other engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background at TSMC, Intel, Samsung, or Micron (foundries or memory companies with their own advanced process nodes) is strongly preferred - TSMC alumni in particular.
• Experience on TSMC's next-generation, beyond-3nm process nodes.
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated motivation to learn, AI-assisted layout automation tools.