Description
The Common Hardware Group at Cisco is seeking a Characterization Engineer to lead the end-to-end characterization flow for standard cell libraries.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end characterization flow for standard cell libraries from extracted netlists through Liberty delivery and correlation against TSMC reference data.
- Define and maintain PrimeLib/Liberate characterization methodology, templates, and automation for timing, power, noise, and leakage across PVT and RC corners.
- Drive correlation closure for delay, transition, capacitance, and leakage.
- Own extraction-to-char integration: LVS/StarRC setup, RC corner alignment, well-bias port handling, and netlist quality gates.
- Debug characterization failures at the netlist, simulation, and Liberty-model level.
- Develop reusable Tcl/shell flows, validation checks, and documentation for repeatable characterization.
- Partner with library design, physical verification, and CAD teams on cell readiness, deck configuration, and release criteria.
- Lead characterization reviews and define sign-off criteria.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field and 6 years of relevant experience, or Master's Degree and 4 years of experience, or PhD and 1 year of experience.
- First-hand experience characterizing standard cell libraries with PrimeLib, Liberate, or equivalent tools.
- Strong understanding of Liberty formats and TSMC characterization flows.
- Experience with parasitic extraction, LVS, and RC corner/PVT alignment.
- Solid understanding of CMOS device behavior, timing arcs, power domains, and well/substrate bias effects.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience on advanced nodes with foundry std-cell libraries.
- Familiarity with TSMC N2P char packages, SPICE kits, and extraction guides.
- Experience with LVF/statistical characterization and hold-margin flows.
- Background in library QA, automated correlation reporting, and release management.
- Proficiency in Tcl, Perl, or Python for flow automation and correlation analysis.