Senior Digital ASIC Architect

Job Title

Senior Digital ASIC Architect

Role Summary

Lead architecture and design of digital integrated circuits from concept through delivery at Draper in Cambridge, MA. Work with multidisciplinary teams (analog, digital, verification, implementation) to validate architectures, plan chip-level implementation, and deliver ASIC solutions to customer problems.

Experience Level

Senior - experience guidance provided by Draper: 5–7 years with a Bachelor's degree, 3–5 years with a Master's degree, or 0–2 years with a PhD in ASIC hardware engineering or related fields.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include system- and block-level architecture, specification, and technical leadership.

• Define and validate digital IC architectures using modeling and simulation.
• Create top-level and circuit-level specifications and conceptual circuit designs.
• Review block-level designs and coordinate chip-level planning with implementation teams.
• Evaluate hardware feasibility of algorithms and system requirements.
• Lead multidisciplinary design and verification planning activities.
• Collaborate with analog and digital circuit designers to optimize solutions.
• Drive integrated-circuit-based solutions for complex customer problems.
• Prepare and present technical solutions to project leadership and customers.
• Document and develop best practices to mentor less experienced engineers.
• Support business development and proposal efforts as required.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, leadership abilities, and tools experience.

• Proven experience in digital integrated-circuit architecture and design (system and block level).
• Hands-on experience with modeling, simulation, and verification planning for ASICs.
• Ability to write clear, detailed design specifications and technical documentation.
• Experience leading small technical teams and coordinating multidisciplinary work.
• Proficiency with scripting for design automation.
• Familiarity with Cadence or equivalent IC design tool suites.
• Strong verbal and written communication, analytical problem-solving, and time-management skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with chip-level planning and implementation flows.
• Background in business development or proposal contributions for technical projects.

Education Requirements

The posting specifies a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field (required), a Master’s degree preferred, and consideration of a PhD. It provides experience alternatives tied to degree level: 5–7 years with a Bachelor’s, 3–5 years with a Master’s, or 0–2 years with a PhD in ASIC hardware engineering or related.

About the Company

Company: Draper

Headquarters: Cambridge, MA, United States

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With over 2,000 employees, Draper develops advanced technologies in defense, space, biomedical engineering, and other national-security and commercial domains through multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists.