Senior Engineer, Design Enablement (PDK)

Job Title

Senior Engineer, Design Enablement (PDK)

Role Summary

Develop and maintain Process Design Kits (PDKs) and associated automation for EDA tool flows to enable customer chip design on the foundry process. Work with process, modeling, and tool teams to convert process rules and SPICE models into validated PDK components and runtimes.

This role sits on the design enablement team and focuses on producing high-quality, supportable PDK deliveries for internal and external customers.

Experience Level

Senior-level. Typical experience guidance provided by the employer: 2–4 years (with a BS), 1–3 years (with an MS), or 0–1 year (with a PhD).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include PDK development, automation, validation, and documentation.

• Design, develop, deploy, support, and maintain PDK components and runtime code for EDA tools.
• Develop and maintain automation tools representing fab processes and PDK generation flows.
• Review and interpret process design rules and SPICE model documentation to create specification data for PDK development.
• Create and maintain test cases and validation suites for DRC, LVS, PEX and other PDK components; perform QA checks to ensure error-free deliveries.
• Produce and update release notes, application notes, and documentation of known limitations and usage guidance for PDK components.
• Collaborate with process, modeling, QA, and customer support teams across projects and assignments as required.
• Follow Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements in all activities.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience relevant to PDK development and EDA tool integration.

• Hands-on experience creating and maintaining PDKs and related techfiles usable by EDA tools.
• Familiarity with SPICE model interpretation and extraction of specification data for PDKs.
• Experience with DRC, LVS, PEX flows and creating validation testcases for those flows.
• Experience developing automation and runtime code (scripting and tool integration) for PDK generation and deployment.
• Strong documentation skills for release notes and application notes, and ability to communicate limitations and solutions to customers.
• Quality assurance mindset with experience performing systematic checks and producing customer-ready deliveries.

Education Requirements

Requires a technical (university) degree. Employer guidance: BS with ~2–4 years' experience, MS with ~1–3 years' experience, or PhD with ~0–1 year of experience.

About the Company

Company: GlobalFoundries

Headquarters: Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

GlobalFoundries is a leading contract manufacturer for the global semiconductor industry, with facilities in multiple countries, including the USA. The company develops a broad portfolio of semiconductor technologies and employs around 13,000 people worldwide. GlobalFoundries focuses on enhancing competitiveness in specialized application solutions and fostering innovation in mobile communications, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.