Design Technology Co-Optimization Lead Principle Engineer

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At SkyWater, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location - employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what's possible. Joining our U.S. - based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning "science fiction" into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few. Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. SkyWater's values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees - and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Join SkyWater at the forefront of innovation, where design, technology, and problem-solving converge. As a technical expert, leading Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) for future SkyWater technologies, you'll take ownership of strategic DTCO development and guide the technical direction that enables fast, efficient growth across our manufacturing sites. This position drives high-impact collaboration between advanced process technology and design, delivering breakthroughs that shape our technology roadmap and power products with unmatched performance and efficiency.

Major Areas of Accountability:

• Lead Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) activities across production sites to align process capabilities, PDK features, and design methodologies for optimal Power, Performance, Area (PPA), yield, and reliability for SkyWater's platform technologies.
• Drive the development of DTCO methodologies and strategies that guide technology scaling, design rules, and PPA optimization for future SkyWater technology nodes.
• Partner with IP, PDK, and modeling teams to translate manufacturing constraints and variability into design-aware solutions, enabling robust PDKs, IP, and reference flows for SkyWater's customers
• Provide technical insights that influence longterm technology development roadmaps, including scaling tradeoffs and design enablement priorities
• Own the identification and resolution of designrule and process integration challenges through innovative solutions, including developing and maintaining models that capture design sensitivities to process variations, lithography constraints, and device characteristics.
• Lead cross-functional DTCO initiatives while mentoring team members and implementing scalable processes that lay the foundation for future DTCO team growth and organizational capability

Required Qualifications:

• Education:




• Masters, or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field

• Experience:




• 15+ Years in semiconductor industry experience/knowledge required




• Skills:

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  • Expertise in semiconductor transistor behavior, device scaling, technology-design tradeoffs, process technology, and PDKs with hands-on experience in mature CMOS nodes
  • Demonstrated expertise with variability analysis, and design rule impacts on PPA
  • Expertise with PDK components, modeling (SPICE, corners, variability), and EDA flows (physical verification)
  • Ability to analyze large datasets, build predictive models, and quantify design-process interactions.
  • Excellent cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to bridge foundry/process teams, PDK teams, design/IP teams and customers; and drive technical alignment
  • Hands-on expertise in semiconductor fabrication processes, including lithography, etch, deposition, and CMP, with expertise in process integration and design-rule implications
  • Experience guiding technical projects and contributing to building organization capabilities
  • Proven leadership with the ability to mentor junior engineers and establish technical frameworks, workflows, and documentation that position the organization for future DTCO team development and growth
  
  
  
  

• Ability and willingness to travel as needed to manufacturing sites

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well other employee financial benefits including 401k match, life insurance and opportunities to purchase SkyWater stock at a discounted rate.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site cafeteria, fitness facility, and self-serve market.

SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. To request reasonable accommodations, to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or Recruiting@SkyWatertechnology.com.

EOE, including disability/vets