ASIC Engineer

Role overview

ASIC Engineer at Cisco

We are looking for a versatile and motivated Layout Engineer to join Cisco’s Silicon One Optics group an Engineering Team.

Responsibilities

• In this role, you will support the physical implementation of high-performance analog and mixed-signal circuits for next-generation 100G, 200G, and 400G per lambda optical interconnect solutions.
• You will contribute to all phases of physical design—from concept through tapeout—primarily for block-level layouts while assisting with top-level integration.
• Working closely with circuit designers, packaging engineers, process teams, and product engineers, you will help develop robust, manufacturable layouts that meet performance, reliability, area, and schedule goals.
• Specific responsibilities include.
• Support layout development and physical implementation of analog, mixed-signal circuits, high-speed interfaces (including SerDes and PAM4), and supporting digital blocks.
• Participate in block-level floor planning, placement, routing, and integration for sophisticated mixed-signal ICs.
• Collaborate with circuit designers to translate schematics and performance targets into optimized physical layouts.
• Optimize layouts for electrical performance, matching, parasitic, signal/power integrity, thermal behavior, yield, and manufacturability.
• Ensure compliance with all foundry design rules (DRC, LVS, ERC, density, EM/IR, and reliability requirements).
• Assist in integration across analog, digital, and high-speed domains, including support for top-level assembly of SerDes, PAM4 paths, clocking, and control logic.
• Review post-layout extraction results and support simulation closure.
• Follow best practices for symmetry, shielding, isolation, and signal integrity.
• Partner with packaging and product teams on bump planning, pad ring, ESD structures, and package integration.
• Identify and help resolve layout-related issues impacting performance, yield, or production readiness.
• Participate in layout reviews and provide feedback on feasibility, tradeoffs, and tapeout risks.
• Collaborate with CAD teams to improve layout flows, automation, and efficiency.
• Support tapeout readiness, including database checks and signoff.
• Assist senior engineers with mentoring more junior layout team members and embrace strong layout methodology.
• Support silicon bring-up, debug, and failure analysis for layout-related issues.
• Who You’ll Work With.
• As a Layout Engineer in the Client Optics Group (COG) Engineering Team, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including analog/mixed-signal circuit designers, digital designers, verification engineers, package engineers, process technologists, CAD specialists, reliability experts, and post-silicon validation teams.
• You will partner with architects and designers during concept and planning phases, chip in to layout execution during design, work with signoff teams prior to tapeout, and support debug efforts post-silicon when layout-related issues arise.
• This role is a great opportunity to grow while helping deliver high-speed electrical IPs such as SerDes, PAM4 interfaces, D2D PHY, clocking subsystems, and control logic.
• Who You Are.
• Solid technical skills with a curiosity about growing into layout leadership; strong foundation in matching, symmetry, shielding, parasitic control, thermal management, and signal integrity.
• Good knowledge of device-level layout techniques (common-centroid, interdigitation, guard rings, isolation structures).
• Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Cadence Virtuoso and Calibre (or equivalent).
• Understanding of DRC, LVS, ERC, parasitic extraction, EM/IR analysis, and physical signoff flows.
• Familiarity with ASIC/SoC tapeout processes is helpful.
• Experience with scripting (Python, Perl, or TCL) for layout automation is a plus.
• Comfortable working in Linux environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and partnership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to chip in optimally and grow as a technical leader in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work as a team player with cross-functional teams spread across geo-locations.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering or equivalent field. 3+ years of layout design experience in analog, mixed-signal, or high-speed IC development.
• Hands-on experience supporting block-level layout efforts through tapeout.
• Strong skills in custom layout design, physical verification, and parasitic-aware implementation.
• Experience with Cadence or similar custom layout tools.

Preferred qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred). 4 to 5 years proven experience in custom IC layout for analog, mixed-signal, and high-speed designs.

Employment details

• Location: Bangalore [India], Pune [India]