Principal Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC Design Engineer

Job Title

Principal Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC Design Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the design, verification, and delivery of analog/mixed-signal (AMS) ASIC blocks for co-integration with large-scale photonic integrated circuits. Work within a small R&D team to define chip architecture, execute tape-outs, and validate silicon for high-throughput free-space optical communication systems.

This role requires hands-on AMS design ownership, close collaboration with layout and test engineers, and experience bringing multiple ASICs to production. The position is mission-driven but primarily technical and execution-focused.

Experience Level

Senior - 10+ years of relevant industry experience in analog/mixed-signal ASIC design and multiple commercial tape-outs.

Responsibilities

Work across design, verification, and delivery phases to produce production-quality ASICs integrated with photonics.

• Own and deliver custom AMS ASIC blocks from specification through tape-out and silicon validation.
• Define chip-level architecture and contribute to system-level optimization and product strategy.
• Design and verify high-precision AMS circuits (ADC/DAC, bandgap references, voltage regulators, amplifiers, etc.).
• Perform mixed-signal integration and co-simulation with digital blocks and photonic elements.
• Coordinate with layout, DRC/LVS, PI/SI verification, and test engineering teams.
• Lead silicon bring-up and characterization activities with foundries and test engineering.
• Mentor and collaborate with other engineers on design and verification best practices.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and demonstrated track record; nice-to-have items listed separately.

• Must-have: 10+ years of industry experience in analog/mixed-signal ASIC design with multiple commercial tape-outs and top-level chip ownership.
• Must-have: Deep design expertise in high-precision circuits such as ADCs, DACs, bandgap references, voltage regulators, and precision amplifiers.
• Must-have: Tape-out experience in high-voltage Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technologies, including silicon bring-up and characterization.
• Must-have: Strong experience with mixed-signal integration and co-simulation, and familiarity with DRC/LVS, power integrity, and signal integrity flows.
• Must-have: Experience working with commercial foundries and industry-standard EDA tool flows for AMS design and verification.

• Nice-to-have: Experience planning and executing verification of large SoCs containing complex digital logic and many custom blocks.
• Nice-to-have: Fluency with RTL, RTL-to-GDS flows, and industry EDA tools; familiarity with version control (Git, SOS).
• Nice-to-have: Proficiency with commercial layout verification tools (e.g., Calibre) and experience taking products from prototype to production.
• Nice-to-have: Strong communication skills for working with senior external partners and cross-functional teams.

Education Requirements

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field explicitly requested.

About the Company

Company: Taara

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Born at X, Google's Moonshot Factory, Taara develops wireless optical communication systems and photonics chip technologies to deliver high-speed, affordable internet to underserved regions worldwide.