Impinj

Senior Staff Design Engineer, IC Layout

Impinj$158K — $238K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Telecommunications & Hardware
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's in computer or electrical engineering or related technical field, with 12+ years of experience.
  • Expertise in custom analog, RF, and mixed-signal layout, leading from conception to tape-out.
  • Familiarity with tape-out flows and database preparation.
  • Proven ability to mentor layout engineers and lead complex IC integration.
  • Deep understanding of full-chip/SOC-level floorplanning and integration techniques.
  • Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes down to 16nm process nodes.
  • Strong capability in Cadence Virtuoso and layout verification tools.

Responsibilities

  • Leverage TDBU methodology for floorplan creation and refinement.
  • Collaborate with design teams on power supply strategy and signal distribution.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure a predictable layout schedule.
  • Conduct layout reviews and complete full-chip closure activities.
  • Perform detailed transistor-level layout for RF and mixed-signal circuits.
  • Partake in developing IC layout methodologies with various teams.

Benefits

  • Healthcare benefits, including access to various plans.
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Potential for merit increases, annual bonuses, and stock options based on performance.
  • Opportunities for sales incentives in relevant roles.
Full Job Description
Team Overview:

The Layout Design Engineering group is an integral part of the Silicon Engineering department, working closely with the analog RFID end-point IC development team and the Reader IC team, internationally. The team is responsible for delivering tape-outs for RFID products, test chips, reader ICs, and DOEs (design of experiments) work that sits at the center of how Impinj brings new silicon to market.

Layout decisions made by this team directly influence the power efficiency, cost, and time-to-market of every piece of silicon we ship, making the group's work foundational to Impinj's mission. The team operates with a continuous-improvement mindset, adapting quickly and challenging each other to remain best-in-class in both quality and speed, with meticulous attention to detail to ensure designs have long-term reliability and zero defects, at production volumes in the many billions and eventually trillions of tags per year.
What You Will Do:
  • Leverage Top-Down Bottom-Up (TDBU) floorplan methodology to create and refine the RFID or Reader IC floorplan - collaborating with circuit and block-level layout designers on sizing, pin rings, inter-block routing, and full-chip channels - while maintaining order in layout hierarchy for streamlined development and tape-in
  • Work closely with the analog and digital design teams on floor planning, pin placement, power supply strategy and signal distribution between blocks
  • Coordinate with program managers and cross-functional teams - design, verification, packaging, manufacturing, and foundry - to track layout and floorplan activities to a predictable schedule and lead a successful, timely and quality tape-out
  • Conduct layout reviews for power/ground routing, electromigration, matching, and signal coupling/integrity, and complete full-chip closure activities, including seal-ring and bump integration, dummy fill, DRC, LVS, density, and DFM checks
  • Perform detailed transistor-level layout of RF, mixed-signal, and analog circuit blocks for both high-performance RF as well as ultra-low power and compact RFID
  • Participate in the IC layout methodology roadmap, collaborating with technology, CAD, and design teams to ensure successful deployment while balancing short-term execution with long-term strategic goals
What You Will Bring:
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer or electrical engineering or a related technical field, with 12+ years of experience
  • Experience in custom analog, RF, and mixed-signal layout, with ability to lead complex ICs from conception to tapeout
  • Versed in tapeout flows with experience in final database preparation and tapeout checklists
  • Ability to lead and mentor other layout engineers as the top-level floorplan/IC integration owner, partnering with circuit designers to resolve complex problems
  • Expert in full-chip/SOC-level floorplanning and integration - physical implementation of cells and analog blocks/IPs, pin-ring generation, routing management, and full-wafer assembly - with experience delivering advanced floorplan strategies and debugging DRC/LVS verification across intermediate hierarchies and at the full-chip level, for both analog-on-top (AOT) and digital-on-top (DOT) methodologies
  • Understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and foundry technologies across advanced process nodes down to 16nm for ultra-low-power and high-fidelity applications
  • Understanding of analog layout challenges and layout-dependent effects in advanced processes - noise coupling, matching, parasitics, LOD, WPE, PSE, and coloring - along with proficiency in mitigation techniques such as guard rings, DNW, PN junctions, parasitic management, signal integrity, reliability (EMIR), and ESD. Expert knowledge of Cadence Virtuoso schematic and layout editors, plus Cadence/Siemens layout verification tools (including PVS and Siemens Calibre DRC/LVS), with strong proficiency interpreting and correcting ERC, DRC and LVS error reports
  • Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners
  • Demonstrated strong technical project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, anticipate roadblocks, manage schedules, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
Compensation & Benefits:

The benefits listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Impinj and the country where you work.

The typical base pay range for this role across the US is $158,700 - $238,100. Individual base pay depends on various factors such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties, requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Both market wage data and the mid-point of the pay range is reviewed and used as the starting point for all new hire offers. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

At Impinj certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee's role. US based employees have access to healthcare benefits; a 401(k) plan and company match among others.

For a more comprehensive list of US employment benefits, click here.

About Impinj

Impinj is a leading provider of RAIN RFID solutions. The company's platform connects billions of everyday items such as apparel, medical supplies, automobile parts, luggage and food to applications such as inventory management, patient safety, asset tracking and item authentication, delivering real-time information to businesses about items they create, manage, transport and sell. Impinj leverages its technology and industry partnerships to deliver comprehensive and compelling solutions to retail, healthcare, supply chain and logistics, hospitality, food and beverage and industrial manufacturing sectors. For more information, visit www.impinj.com.
Learn more about Impinj
Size
332 employees
Market Cap
$2.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$51.9 million
Founded
2000
5 Year Trend
+11.1%
Revenue
$138.9 million
NASDAQ

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