Principal High Speed Mixed Signal IC Design Engineer

About the client

An innovative semiconductor company developing advanced integrated circuits for next-generation communication and connectivity applications. They combine high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital technologies to deliver highly integrated semiconductor solutions for demanding applications. As an engineering-led company, we offer experienced engineers the opportunity to shape architectures, own critical technology developments, and see their work progress from concept through silicon.

The Opportunity

Seeking a Principal High-Speed Mixed-Signal IC Design Engineer to lead the development of advanced integrated circuits involving:

• High-speed data conversion
• Clocking
• Analog and mixed-signal technologies

This is a senior technical role for an engineer with strong expertise in high-performance IC design who can operate across:

Architecture -> Circuit Design -> Silicon Validation

The successful candidate will:

• Take ownership of key technology developments
• Define architectures
• Design critical circuit blocks
• Drive products from concept through silicon validation and into production

This role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-moving, engineering-led start-up where technical leadership, innovation and ownership have a direct impact on the company's success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of advanced high-speed mixed-signal ICs.
• Develop and optimise critical analog and mixed-signal building blocks, including:
  • High-speed data converters
  • Clock generation and PLLs
  • Timing circuits
  • High-speed interfaces
  • Analog/RF signal paths
• Analyse and optimise designs for:
  • Noise
  • Linearity
  • Power
  • Timing performance
  • Signal integrity
• Perform transistor-level simulation, verification and optimisation across PVT conditions.
• Work closely with layout, digital and system engineers to achieve robust silicon implementation.
• Support silicon bring-up, laboratory characterisation and performance optimisation.
• Provide technical leadership within a small, highly experienced engineering team.

Required Experience

• Several years in analog, mixed-signal or high-speed IC design.
• Proven experience delivering complex ICs from architecture definition through silicon validation.
• Strong background in one or more of the following:
  • High-speed data converters (ADC/DAC)
  • Clock generation and PLLs
  • Timing circuits
  • High-speed interfaces/SerDes
  • Analog/RF signal paths
• Strong understanding of:
  • Clock jitter
  • Phase noise
  • Noise performance
  • Mixed-signal design trade-offs
• Experience with Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre or equivalent IC design environments.
• Experience with EM co-simulation and layout-aware design for high-speed circuits.
• Experience with advanced CMOS technologies and silicon debug.
• Ability to independently drive complex technical challenges and make architecture-level decisions.

Desirable Experience

• Low-phase-noise oscillators, PLLs and precision timing circuits.
• Calibration and digital correction techniques.
• Experience working in a start-up or small engineering team.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an exceptional engineer who combines:

• Deep technical expertise
• System-level understanding

You should be comfortable moving between:

Architecture and Circuit Implementation

and solving complex mixed-signal challenges while taking ownership of critical semiconductor developments.

You will thrive in a collaborative start-up environment where engineers are encouraged to:

• Think broadly
• Take complete ownership of their work
• Deliver products from concept through production

This is an opportunity to make a significant technical impact within a growing semiconductor company.