Kyocera Communications

Senior RFIC Design Engineer

Kyocera Communications • $106K — $213K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related field, or M.S. with 3+ years of industry experience.
  • Strong foundation in RF and analog circuit design principles.
  • Experience with transistor-level design and simulation of integrated circuits.
  • Knowledge of CMOS/SOI technologies and deep-submicron design.
  • Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso and Spectre or similar tools.
  • Laboratory skills in RF/analog measurements are desirable.
  • Familiarity with languages like Verilog and MATLAB is beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Design and verify RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuit blocks from specs through implementation.
  • Analyze circuit trade-offs regarding performance and reliability.
  • Contribute to building RFIC components such as amplifiers and filters.
  • Work with system engineers to derive and allocate specifications.
  • Run simulations to document results and address performance gaps.
  • Collaborate with layout engineers on critical design techniques.
  • Support RFIC-package-PCB co-simulation and assess circuit performance impacts.

Benefits

  • Engagement in innovation at the forefront of wireless technology.
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams across diverse engineering fields.
  • Opportunity for involvement in all phases of product development.
  • Access to advanced tools and technology in IC design.
  • Potential for continuous professional growth and skill enhancement.
Full Job Description
Exempt: Yes

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Senior RFIC Design Engineer develops high-performance RF and analog integrated circuits for advanced wireless and sensing products. Works with circuit architecture, transistor-level design, layout, verification, silicon characterization, and productization. Works closely with RF Systems, Layout, Package, Test, Firmware, and Product Engineering teams to translate product requirements into robust, production-ready silicon.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Design and verify RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuit blocks from specification and topology selection through transistor-level implementation, layout, extraction, and signoff.
• Analyze circuit tradeoffs involving performance, power, area, noise, linearity, gain, bandwidth, matching, stability, process variation, and reliability.
• Contribute to the development of RFIC building blocks such as amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, frequency-generation circuits, data converters, filters, bias circuits, regulators, detectors, and calibration circuits.
• Work with system engineers to derive block-level specifications, allocate design margins, and evaluate interactions between circuit blocks and the overall signal chain.
• Plan and run schematic, post-layout, PVT, Monte Carlo, EM, mixed-signal, and reliability simulations; document results and address performance gaps.
• Partner with layout engineers on floorplanning, critical-device placement, routing, shielding, matching, parasitic control, physical verification, and design-for-manufacturability.
• Support RFIC-package-PCB co-simulation and evaluate the impact of interconnects, passives, coupling, supply integrity, and thermal effects on circuit performance.
• Develop characterization plans, support laboratory measurements and silicon debug, and correlate measured results with simulation across operating conditions.
• Collaborate with Test, Product, Applications, Firmware, and Manufacturing Engineering during validation, yield improvement, and product ramp.
• Prepare clear specifications, design-review material, verification plans, and characterization reports; contribute to continuous improvement and intellectual property development.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field with specialization in RF, analog, mixed-signal, or microwave/mmWave IC design; no industry experience required. Alternatively, M.S. in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 3 years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong foundation in analog and RF circuit design, including device physics, feedback, noise, linearity, mismatch, stability, frequency response, and circuit tradeoffs.
• Academic or industry experience with transistor-level design and simulation of RF, analog, or mixed-signal integrated circuits.
• Working knowledge of CMOS and/or SOI technologies, deep-submicron design considerations, RF passives, and critical analog/RF layout techniques.
• Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso and Spectre or comparable IC design tools; familiarity with RF and EM simulation, extraction, and physical-verification tools is preferred.
• Ability to analyze simulation and measurement data, isolate root causes, and communicate technical conclusions clearly.
• Laboratory experience with RF or analog measurements is desirable, including use of oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, or related equipment.
• Familiarity with Verilog-A, Verilog, SystemVerilog, MATLAB, Python, or SKILL is beneficial.
• Strong problem-solving, documentation, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time. This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.

About Kyocera Communications

Kyocera Communications is a subsidiary of Kyocera Corporation, a Japanese multinational electronics and ceramics manufacturer. Kyocera Communications designs and manufactures mobile phones and other wireless devices for the North American market. Their products are known for their durability and ruggedness, and are popular with outdoor enthusiasts and people who work in harsh environments. Kyocera Communications was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kyocera Communications
Size
83,001 employees
Industry
Founded
1999
NASDAQ

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