About CHIMES IKC
The CHIMES (Centre for Heterogeneous Integrated Micro-Electronic Systems) Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) is one of four national centres funded by UKRI to support the UK electronics and semiconductor industry. The Centre exists to accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of Heterogeneous Integration (HI) across the UK supply chain.
A core activity of the Centre is to undertake industry-led, co-created projects in advanced methods of electronic systems design and the Heterogeneous Integration of semiconductors. This is an opportunity to join a Centre at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, working alongside industry partners and a network of leading universities to translate partner requirements into functioning demonstrators that solve real-world challenges.
About the Role
This Senior Analog/Mixed-Signal Design Engineer role is central to the IKC's mission and has two complementary aspects. First, working closely with the wider team, you will help develop reusable design methodologies and assets, becoming the Technical Authority on key technology areas such as PHY-level interfaces, custom pad circuits, and analog/digital interfaces. Second, working with the Co-Creation Project Lead and industry partner design teams, you will help develop functioning HI demonstrators, promote the adoption of reusable design methodologies, and resolve design challenges at the analog/mixed-signal interfaces within these systems.
You will provide hands-on analog/mixed-signal design expertise across co-creation PoC projects, with primary responsibility for PHY-level interface design at die-to-die boundaries, including drivers, receivers, ESD structures, termination, and clocking circuits tailored to specific process nodes and packaging technologies. You will define integration-level requirements and interface specifications, coordinate with specialist colleagues across digital design and verification, and undertake physical design work at the integration level, including floorplanning, I/O ring planning, and interface layout across dies, interposers, and packaging substrates.
In addition to project delivery, you will act as an advocate for the Centre's capabilities. You will engage in peer-to-peer technical dialogue with industry partner design teams, support partners in applying the Centre's reusable design assets, contribute to technical workshops and design masterclasses to upskill the UK design community, and represent the Centre's analog/mixed-signal design and integration capabilities at industry events and conferences.
About You
We are looking for a self-starter who can work proactively and collaboratively to achieve project outcomes. You will have authoritative practical knowledge of analog/mixed-signal circuit design and a strong understanding of the semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem, including design flows, PDKs, packaging processes, and design-for-test.
Additional Information
Travel to other industry partners and universities within the UK will be required, and international travel (for example to conferences) may be required. The maintenance of confidentiality in information and data management is mandatory at all times, including the handling of assets held under strict disclosure agreements.
For specific questions relating to this post please contact Professor Ibrahim Sari at ibrahim.sari@soton.ac.uk.