Design Enablement Engineer - Semiconductor Technology & Automation

Introduction
As a Hardware Developer at IBM you’ll get to work on the systems that are driving the quantum revolution and the AI era. Join an elite team of engineering professionals who enable IBM customers to make better decisions quicker on the most trusted hardware platform in today’s market.

Your Role and Responsibilities
At IBM Research we invent things that matter to the world. Today we are pioneering the most promising and disruptive technologies that will transform industries and society including the future of AI Blockchain and Quantum Computing. We are driven to discover. With more than 3000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents IBM Research is one of the world’s largest and most influential corporate research labs.

We are seeking a skilled Design Enablement Engineer to join our team supporting our production tapeout operations for advanced semiconductor technology nodes. This role is central to IBM Research’s design and tape-out activities focusing on post-design retargeting data manipulation automation in design services and development of scripts and algorithms for data processing. You will develop code to optimize design layouts for improved tape-out processing enhancing process yield and printability in advanced technology research and development.

Key Responsibilities:
• Design Retargeting and Data Manipulation: Develop and execute post-design retargeting techniques creating data manipulation scripts and algorithms to streamline and optimize layout design for advanced tape-out processing and improve production outcomes.
• Automated Design Services and Layout Optimization: Implement automated solutions for layout data operations kerf/scribe layout development and data processing. Utilize EDA tools (Synopsys ICWB Cadence Virtuoso) to create and refine design layouts for effective
tape-out and processing.
• Data Processing and Automation Development: Write test and deploy scripts in Python and Unix/Linux Shell to support and automate data processing in tape-out operations. Focus on improving operational efficiency yield and printability of production designs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with technology and design teams to ensure that automation solutions align with production requirements utilizing your understanding of physical layout and semiconductor technology ground rules to optimize design enablement processes.
• Design Rules and Layout Verification: Perform design rule checking (DRC) and layout verification using industry-standard tools. Ensure compliance with design specifications and technology ground rules to meet quality standards.
• Debugging and Problem-Solving: Identify and resolve design issues layout errors and data processing challenges.​​​​​​• Use diagnostic skills to troubleshoot errors and refine processes within a collaborative team setting.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field with 3+ years of experience in VLSI chip development or semiconductor technology.
• Proficiency with at least one EDA tool vendor (Synopsys ICWB Cadence Virtuoso) with 3+ years of design experience.
• Coding experience with scripting languages (Python Unix/Linux Shell) for automation purposes with 3+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise

• Masters Degree