Analog & Mixed Signal Architect

Job Title

Analog & Mixed Signal Architect

Role Summary

Lead mixed-signal architecture and strategy at a small, AI-augmented semiconductor company. Collaborate with founders, AI engineers, software developers, and chip designers to define roadmaps and deliver production-quality mixed-signal designs.

Drive hands-on design, verification, integration, and characterization from concept through tape-out while mentoring engineers and adapting toolchains for AI-driven flows.

Experience Level

Senior level - typically 10+ years of analog/mixed-signal IC design experience, architect or lead-level responsibility.

Responsibilities

Lead the technical direction and delivery of mixed-signal subsystems while working hands-on across design and verification.

• Define the mixed-signal technical roadmap with founders and VPs.
• Own mixed-signal subsystem architecture and drive designs from conception through bring-up and production.
• Design and validate key building blocks: comparators, amplifiers, sample-and-hold, references, and clocking circuits.
• Establish design variables, constraints, and testbenches to guide AI-driven design automation and ensure manufacturable outputs.
• Integrate analog and digital components into full-chip designs and ensure smooth system-level operation.
• Collaborate with AI, software, and chip teams to adapt tools and workflows; review and filter automated outputs as needed.
• Mentor and review the work of design engineers to raise technical standards across the team.

Requirements

Core technical and leadership qualifications. "Nice-to-have" items are noted.

• 10+ years of hands-on analog/mixed-signal IC design experience in senior roles.
• Proven track record of tape-outs and delivering functional analog/mixed-signal chips to production.
• Experience integrating analog and digital components on mixed-signal chips.
• Proficiency with industry-standard analog/RF EDA and measurement tools (e.g., Cadence, Keysight) and willingness to adopt new toolchains.
• Demonstrated leadership guiding design teams and leading technical reviews.
• Ability to define constraints, testbenches, and parameters to make automated design flows produce manufacturable results.
• Strong cross-functional communication with AI engineers, software developers, and customers.
• Nice-to-have: experience with AI-driven or novel design flows and automation frameworks.
• Preference for US citizens or green card holders.

Education Requirements

Ph.D. preferred; alternatively a Masters in Electrical Engineering (EE) with significant analog/mixed-signal IC design experience. Equivalent practical experience in analog/mixed-signal design is acceptable. Relevant fields: Electrical Engineering, analog/mixed-signal IC design, or closely related technical disciplines.

About the Company

Company: Sphere Semi

Sphere Semi is a semiconductor company using AI-driven design automation to accelerate analog and mixed-signal chip design, enabling smaller teams to produce custom, production-grade designs at scale. They serve commercial customers and have venture funding.