Digital IC Backend Design Engineer

Job Title

Digital IC Backend Design Engineer

Role Summary

Implement digital ASIC designs from RTL to GDSII with a focus on physical implementation, timing closure, power and area optimization, and tapeout readiness. Work closely with RTL, DFT, and packaging teams in a small engineering-led organization operating from Paris and Tel Aviv offices.

Experience Level

Mid-level — typically requires 4+ years of experience in digital IC backend implementation.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Execute full-chip and block-level physical design tasks: floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis, routing, and physical verification.
• Develop and optimize the digital backend flow and automation scripts.
• Drive timing closure and power optimization efforts.
• Perform physical verification activities (DRC/LVS/ERC) and address signoff criteria.
• Collaborate with front-end designers to resolve timing and logical/physical interface issues.
• Support tapeout preparation and final signoff processes.

Requirements

Must-have:

• 4+ years of experience in digital IC backend implementation.
• Proficiency with backend EDA tools, particularly Cadence Innovus and Genus.
• Strong knowledge of place & route (P&R), static timing analysis (STA), DRC/LVS verification, IR drop, and electromigration (EM) analysis.
• Experience with advanced technology nodes (22nm or below preferred).
• Skilled in Tcl scripting for automation of backend flows.
• Proficient English; French is a plus.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with hierarchical or full-chip implementation.

Education Requirements

Master's or PhD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related field.

About the Company

Company: Arago

Arago is an AI and computer hardware startup (founded 2024) developing AI-driven semiconductor and photonics solutions. The company brings together engineers and researchers in photonics, electronics, software, mathematics, and machine learning to accelerate prototype-to-silicon development across hubs in France, North America, and Israel.