PDK and Design Automation Development Engineer

PDK Support and Design Automation Development Engineer

We are looking for a motivated engineer to take ownership of our Design-to-Tape-Out platform and maintain the PDK infrastructure supporting our IC design ecosystem.
In this role, you will modernize and extend our design automation platform, ensure robust PDK integration with EDA tools, and support designers across the full design–to–mask workflow. You will collaborate closely with IC designers, layout engineers, OPC team and tape‑out operations to build a scalable, efficient, and future‑proof environment.

• Own and enhance the internal Design-to-Tape-Out workflow and tools, independently and with external suppliers.
• Gather requirements from design, OPC, metrology, fabrication, and layout teams to create effective software solutions.
• Develop automation features and scripts to streamline validations and handshaking steps between design phases.
• Collaborate with PDK engineers to maintain and improve PDK infrastructure and ensure proper installation and compatibility of releases.
• Support the PDK team in resolving issues in EDA tools and support designers in using PDK features effectively.

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

• You hold a Bachelor or MSc in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar.
• You have strong programming skills in Python (plus: Shell, Tcl, Perl, or C++).
• Solid understanding of IC design flows from conceptual DSE to tape-out.
• Hands‑on experience with PDK installation, maintenance, and good documentation skills.
• Experience with Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys, IPKISS, or Mentor/Siemens EDA tools.
• Familiarity with DRC, LVS, PEX concepts and physical verification decks.
• Strong debugging, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee‑based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.