Lead Standard Cell Design/Characterization Engineer

Job Title

Lead Standard Cell Design/Characterization Engineer

Role Summary

The role leads standard-cell circuit design, characterization, layout work and related EDA development for library solutions. The position supports library internalization and provides technical consultancy to design teams on reliability, DfT, timing closure and RTL-to-GDS flows.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 7–9 years of experience in the standard-cell domain.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on standard-cell library development, characterization and delivery for digital flows.

• Design and characterize standard cells and macros (flip-flops, latches, multibit flip-flops, level shifters, power-switch cells, retention flops, synchronizers, etc.).
• Perform layout design and verify layouts for planar and non-planar (FinFET) nodes.
• Develop and maintain EDA flows and scripts for characterization, simulation, and view generation.
• Produce characterization views and models including NLDM, CCSP/CCSN, AOCV and LVF.
• Collaborate with STA and place-and-route teams to ensure timing closure and correct integration.
• Provide technical guidance to design teams on reliability, DfT and RTL2GDS issues.
• Drive improvements and implement innovative solutions in standard-cell library development.

Requirements

Required skills and experience, followed by additional desirable skills.

Must-have:

• 7–9+ years working in standard-cell design, characterization and/or layout.
• Practical experience with a wide range of standard cells and macros in multiple technology nodes.
• Solid understanding of circuit and Monte Carlo simulations, layout-dependent effects, and RTL-to-GDS flow (STA, PnR).
• Good knowledge of CMOS and FinFET technologies.
• Expertise using commercial EDA tools from Cadence, Synopsys, or Siemens for simulation, characterization and layout.
• Experience generating characterization models and EDA views (NLDM, CCSP/CCSN, AOCV, LVF).

Nice-to-have:

• Exposure to AOCV and LVF model characterization.
• Familiarity with AIML/Agentic AI concepts and their application to EDA or design tasks.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages and automation (SKILL, Python, TCL, Perl).
• Experience with data tools such as MS Excel, PowerBI or Tableau.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.