What are the responsibilities and job description for the RFIC/mmW Design Engineer position at Cambridge Terahertz?
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Cambridge Terahertz, based in Santa Clara, CA, is pioneering next-generation security with advanced Terahertz (THz) imaging technology, empowering safer communities through rapid, non-invasive weapons detection and threat screening. Our mission is to save lives by delivering breakthrough sensing solutions that uncover concealed threats—without health risks—enabling protection in airports, public venues, and critical infrastructure worldwide. Leveraging cutting-edge science spun out of MIT, our team is driven by a vision to transform security and safety with innovative platforms that truly make a difference, combining world-class engineering with a passion to solve society’s hardest challenges. Recently featured in CNBC, MIT News and Techcrunch, the company is backed by top-tier investors and five government contracts. Our world-class team includes some of the best minds in RF, THz and hardware, and is passionate about taking on the most difficult technical challenges. We foster a creative, fast-paced, and values-driven culture that nurtures self-growth and learning, and using technology to enrich lives.
Job Description: RFIC/mmW Design Engineer
This is a full-time, hands-on Silicon Design Engineer role in Santa Clara, CA, requiring substantial on-site presence. The ideal candidate is a versatile RFIC/mmW design engineer, recently graduated (Master’s or PhD) with tapeout experience, who thrives with physical design, and hands-on chip fabrication and testing. You will be a key member of the silicon team, collaborating closely with domain experts in digital, analog, and RF systems, and playing a direct role in prototyping, validating, and productizing custom high-frequency integrated circuits.
Responsibilities
- Physical Design: Execute layout, extraction, and tapeout of RFICs using deep submicron CMOS, SOI, or similar processes; manage parasitic modeling and EM verification.
- EDA Tool Utilization: Work daily with Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor, Ansys, and industry-standard simulation/layout suites.
- Lab Testing: Set up hands-on lab experiments for silicon validation—using network analyzers, probe stations, and measurement equipment to characterize chips and system blocks.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Interface with software, hardware, and test engineers to deliver robust system-level solutions, from schematic through shippable product.
- Documentation & Review: Prepare design documentation, participate in and lead technical reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering flows.
Job Requirements (Must have)
- Green card holder or US Citizen
- Experience executing multiple integrated circuit tapeouts in deep-submicron processes.
- Strong expertise in RF/microwave and analog circuit design
- Practical proficiency with EDA tools (Synopsys, Calibre/ICV, SPICE, EM simulators).
- Hands-on experience characterizing chips in lab settings—measurement of S-parameters, NF, P1dB, etc.
- Excellent documentation, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Strong communication and team collaboration skills
- Leadership skills, ability to work independently in a fast-paced startup environment
- M.S. or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (focus on RFIC/Mixed Signal design preferred).
Also desired (Nice to have)
- Previous internship/research in RFIC or mmWave/THz silicon implementation.
- Experience with chip bring-up and debug in a lab.
- Broad understanding of RF parameters and their physical measurement.
- Familiarity with electromagnetics modeling tools such as RFPro and HFSS.
- Demonstrated flexibility in switching between design, simulation, layout, and lab work.
- Experience working in deeptech hardware startups
- Experience with semiconductor packaging
Benefits
- Competitive base salary, health and retirement benefits, equity in a rapidly growing company.
- Fast-paced, high-impact environment with mentorship from top-tier experts.
- Opportunity to work at the bleeding edge of wireless and imaging silicon technology.
Cambridge Terahertz is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information.