Principal ASIC Design Engineer

Principal ASIC Design Engineer

Quantum Control Systems

Our client — a world-leading neutral-atom quantum computing company — is building the custom ASICs that make their platform tick: ultra-low-noise DAC/ADC front-ends, high-speed serialisers, and real-time digital control logic operating at the edge of what silicon can do. They need a Principal ASIC Design Engineer to own this work end-to-end.

What you'll do

• Architect and lead design of custom mixed-signal ASICs for quantum qubit control and readout — from block-level specification through tape-out and post-silicon validation.
• Own RTL design (SystemVerilog/VHDL), analog/mixed-signal IP integration, and physical design closure from floorplan through signoff.
• Define silicon specifications in direct collaboration with physics and systems teams, translating qubit drive and readout requirements into ASIC architecture.
• Lead post-silicon bring-up and characterisation; own root-cause and ECO process for silicon bugs.
• Select process nodes and foundry partners; manage IP procurement and vendor relationships.
• Mentor junior ASIC engineers and set the technical standard across the silicon team.

What you bring

• 10+ years of ASIC design experience with demonstrated tape-outs at advanced nodes (28 nm and below).
• Deep mixed-signal expertise: high-speed DAC/ADC (GSPS range), PLL/DLL, precision reference circuits.
• Strong RTL design and verification background: SystemVerilog, UVM, CDC/lint signoff, low-power (UPF).
• Physical design closure experience: Synopsys/Cadence EDA flows, STA (PrimeTime), IR/EM (Voltus), Calibre LVS/DRC.
• Track record of owning a chip from architecture through production — not just contributing to one.
• Excellent cross-functional communication; able to work daily with physicists, firmware engineers, and system architects.