Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) Engineer / Circuit Design Engineer

Job Details:

Job Description:

About the Company

Altera is one of the world's leading providers of programmable solutions. With a renewed focus on agility, software-first, and AI-driven solutions, Altera is shaping the future of computing by providing flexible technology, empowering innovators with scalable products, from high-performance to power- and cost-optimized devices for cloud, network, and edge applications. Join us in our journey to becoming the #1 FPGA provider in the world as we redefine the next era of programmable innovations!

About the Team & About the Role

The Technology Engineering Group is responsible for selecting and optimizing silicon process and packaging technology as we strategize on Altera’s next generation of products.

As a Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) Engineer / Circuit Design Engineer you will have the opportunity to work on cutting edge FPGA’s as well as with the most advanced silicon, process technology, and with global leaders in foundry. In this role you will also have the opportunity to:

• Select and optimize silicon process technologies for FPGA products through Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) activities during the technology pathfinding and readiness phases.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to define process technologies that maximize Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) entitlement.

• Engage and collaborate with foundries to provide detailed feedback on design rules, libraries, and process design kits (PDKs) to improve the PPA of FPGA products under development.

• Develop and analyze benchmark circuits representing digital, analog, and memory IP to evaluate and guide process technology options.

• Optimize metal stack configurations and power grid strategies to enhance overall design efficiency and reliability.

• Study the PPA entitlement of novel process technologies.

• Partner with physical implementation and design teams to ensure that process technology solutions meet product requirements and enable successful silicon development across all lifecycle stages.

• Support technology readiness by contributing to test-chips.

Salary Range

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor within the US market. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.

$128.9k - $186.6k USD

Qualifications:

What We Want to See 

• 5+ years of experience (more than 10+ years of experience is preferred)

Technical skills

• Circuit analysis: The ability to analyze both digital and analog circuits to understand their functionality, performance, and power characteristics.

• DTCO Experience: Hands-on experience with the process of co-optimizing design and technology parameters is highly desirable.

• EDA Tool Familiarity: Experience with industry-standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, such as spice simulators,  APR tools, Schematic entry, Timing analysis tools etc.. 

• Programming Skills: Proficiency in scripting languages like Python, Perl, TCL, and Shell is often required for automation and flow development.

• Understanding of semiconductor device physics: This includes knowledge of how transistors work and the impact of various physical phenomena on their performance.

• Compact modeling: Basic Understanding of models of devices for use in circuit simulations.

• Design rules: Familiarity with the rules and guidelines governing the layout of integrated circuits to ensure manufacturability and performance.

Soft Skills

• Strong Collaboration and interpersonal skills: DTCO engineers work closely with various teams, including modeling, process integration, and design, making effective communication and collaboration essential.

• Problem-solving skills: The ability to analyze complex problems, identify design and process constraints, and develop effective solutions.

• Attention to detail: Essential for meticulously checking design rules, analyzing performance metrics, and ensuring accuracy in simulations and modeling.

• Communication: Clearly communicating complex technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Education

• A bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in Electrical Engineering or a related field. 

Job Type:

Regular

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:

Oregon, United States (Remote)

Additional Locations:

San Jose, California, United States

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.