OPC​/DFM Principal Engineer

2401 E 86th St, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA

Posted Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At Sky Water, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location — employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what’s possible. Joining our U.S.

- based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning “science fiction” into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few.

Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. Sky Water’s values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees — and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Sky Water is hiring an OPC / DFM Principal Engineer for our HQ site in Bloomington, MN.

This position will lead the effort of cross-functional teams in establishing methodology and implementation of improved design methods, focusing on Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) techniques and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). This candidate will be a major technical contributor to “spec-to-shelf” ASIC development projects, including Process Design Kit (PDK) and mask/reticle development and fan-out.

• Development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing DFM and OPC at 130, 90 and 65 nm platforms, with eventual extension to 45 nm and below.
• Implementation of the DFM/OPC strategy through successful Physical Verification (PV) methods using state-of-the-art PV methods, for example using Mentor Calibre tools.
• Development of the OPC models required to enable correct their correct application, and subsequent fab processing of sub-wavelength features at both 248nm and 193nm lithography nodes.
• Provide technical support for customers using Sky Water PDK’s, as needed, to ensure successful designs using OPC and DFM methods through product mask generation and tapeout steps.
• Work closely with design, layout, and process engineers to understand and incorporate technology requirements into the OPC models and PDKs.

10 years + experience with BS, 7-10 years of experience with MS, 5+ years of experience with PhD

• 5+ years of experience in development and implementation of model-based OPC methods at a semiconductor foundry.
• Hands‑on, familiarity with the required Physical Verification tools used for mask/reticle generation and manipulation of the OPC.
• Ability to write/debug programs and properly generate OPC on multiple technology platforms.
• Experience in OPC generation for 130, 90, 65, 45 nm platforms.
• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• US Citizenship
  
  Required:
  
  This position will require the holding of or ability to obtain government security clearance which requires U.S Citizenship.

• Calibre-based PV flow experience is preferred.
• Experience with DFM methods and their use in Design Flow is a plus.
• Customer facing experience a plus.

The annual salary range for this role is $131,840 - $197,760. Pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, the job-related experience, skills, education, and credentials of each candidate.

Sky Water offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds…