Silicon Architecture Co-op

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross‑fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

A Silicon Architecture Co‑op in the Silicon Architecture group contributes to the design of integrated circuits from conceptual phases through detailed design, implementation, verification, test and delivery to our customers. The Architect is responsible for developing initial architectural concepts and vetting them through modeling, analysis, and simulation. The Architect works with both Analog and Digital Circuit Designers to identify opportunities for trades across domains which enable the most efficient design solution.

The Architect develops top‑level and circuit‑level specifications, conceptual circuit designs, reviews detailed block‑level designs during implementation, conducts chip‑level planning with the implementation team, and provides inputs to verification and test planning.

• Design, develop, and enhance engineering solutions for challenging problems.
• Implement, test, perform analysis, and provide documentation support.
• Generate and present test reports including plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions from data collected and analyzed throughout the test process.
• Complete assignments designed to develop a practical knowledge of processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, and systems as well as their interrelationships within engineering disciplines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Enrolled in an accredited engineering curriculum full‑time undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Co‑op students must be able to work full‑time for a 6‑month period.
• There is flexibility regarding hours and program duration based on applicant’s school schedule and availability.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent work ethic with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt to ever‑changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

• Contribute to integrated circuit–based solutions to complex customer problems.
• Contribute to integrated circuit requirements based on customer needs.
• Design and simulate circuits using functional modeling tools (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink, System Verilog).
• Design and simulate circuits at the transistor level to implement architecture.
• Perform System‑on‑Chip (SOC) design trades between analog, digital hardware, and software implementations to deliver optimized designs.
• Evaluate feasibility and costs/benefits of algorithm implementation in hardware vs software.
• Participate in top‑level verification planning with verification team.
• Thrive in multidisciplinary design teams, communicating effectively to peers and supervisors.
• Develop design documentation, e.g. architectural description, interface definition, and requirements.
• Contribute to test plans and conduct bench‑level testing.

• Proficiency with Cadence or equivalent integrated circuit design tools e.g. Virtuoso, Genus, Innovus, Tempus, Voltus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time‑management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Proficiency or interest in learning high‑level mixed‑signal modeling & verification tools such as System Verilog, SV‑RNM, Verilog‑AMS.
• Proficient in scripting (e.g. Python, SKILL) for automating aspects of the design, implementation, verification, and test flows.

Applicants selected for this position may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

• City:
  Cambridge
• State:
  Ma…