About the Role
We’re looking for a technically deep Director, Memory Design to own memory controller design for Kepler’s memory products. The role sits where memory architecture, digital logic design and system integration meet. You’ll bring hands-on expertise in memory controller architecture and RTL design, low-latency access path design and memory subsystem optimization for AI workloads. You’ll both architect and implement, making sound VLSI trade-offs throughout.
Key Responsibilities
Own memory controller design end to end, from architecture to tapeout, including low-latency memory access paths and high-bandwidth interfaces.
Write and maintain high-quality SystemVerilog RTL. Drive PPA optimization and implementation convergence (lint, CDC/RDC, LEC, synthesis, timing closure).
Define and review functional and formal verification plans, validate SDC timing constraints, and ensure design quality through rigorous reviews.
Work closely with architecture, physical design and post-silicon validation teams.
Lead the investigation and fixing of complex timing violations and structural design issues during physical implementation.
Define and drive adoption of new design methods that improve power efficiency in high-bandwidth memory interfaces.
Set design best practices, keep technical documentation current, and mentor engineers.
Requirements
B.Tech/M.Tech/MS/PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering or a related field.
15+ years in memory controller architecture and RTL design, including multiple successful SoC tapeouts.
Expert knowledge of memory controller design: scheduling, ECC, refresh, power management and training.
Strong understanding of industry-standard memory protocols and VLSI trade-offs across latency, bandwidth, power and area.
Skilled in SystemVerilog, front-end flows (synthesis, CDC, formal verification) and scripting (Python, Perl, Tcl).
Experience with memory controller performance modeling: simulation, queue-depth analysis and scheduler evaluation.
Deep hands-on timing closure experience on complex, high-frequency digital blocks.
Proven record of leading design teams through at least three full-chip tapeouts in advanced process technologies.
Proven ability to work across teams and deliver complex design blocks with small teams.
Nice to Have
Experience with 3D innovations
Experience developing custom memory interfaces.
Familiarity with memory access patterns in AI workloads.
Experience with low-power design techniques such as power gating, DVFS and multi-VT optimization.
Familiarity with DFT architectures and methods for high-speed memory interfaces.
Compensation and Benefits
Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, education, job responsibilities and work location.
Kepler offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, time off and additional Kepler benefits as applicable. Eligibility and benefit offerings may vary based on employment status and work location.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kepler is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
We believe that different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and ideas make our team stronger and help our employees, our technology and our community thrive.
Reasonable Accommodation
Kepler is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at 408-365-4627 or [email protected].
Fair Chance Hiring
Kepler will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history before a conditional offer of employment except where otherwise permitted or required by applicable law.
Federal Contractor Notice
Kepler is a federal contractor or subcontractor and is committed to its obligations regarding equal employment opportunity. Kepler does not discriminate against qualified individuals on the basis of disability or protected veteran status and takes steps to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
Skills Required
- B.Tech, M.Tech, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- 15+ years of experience in memory controller architecture and RTL design
- Multiple successful SoC tapeouts
- Expertise in memory controller scheduling, ECC, refresh, power management, and training
- Strong understanding of industry-standard memory protocols and VLSI trade-offs involving latency, bandwidth, power, and area
- Proficiency with SystemVerilog, synthesis, CDC, formal verification, and Python, Perl, or Tcl scripting
- Experience with memory controller performance modeling, simulation, queue-depth analysis, and scheduler evaluation
- Deep hands-on timing closure experience on complex, high-frequency digital blocks
- Leadership of design teams through at least three full-chip tapeouts in advanced process technologies
- Ability to work cross-functionally and deliver complex design blocks with small teams
- Experience with 3D innovations
- Experience developing custom memory interfaces
- Familiarity with memory access patterns in AI workloads
- Experience with power gating, DVFS, and multi-VT optimization
- Familiarity with DFT architectures and methods for high-speed memory interfaces
Kepler Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kepler and has not been reviewed or approved by Kepler.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision, is described as comprehensive for eligible employees in company materials. This indicates robust core health benefits even if finer details are not publicly listed.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly included, with references to structured PTO and paid holidays. This suggests time-off policies are a consistent part of the offering across roles.
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Retirement Support — Retirement plans (such as a 401(k), depending on location and eligibility) are part of the standard package. While the employer match is not publicly specified, the presence of a plan supports long-term savings.
Kepler Insights
What We Do
Kepler Computing develops next-generation AI memory and logic using advanced materials, 3D architectures, ferroelectric technologies, and deep semiconductor expertise. Its products target computing’s bandwidth, capacity, energy, and density constraints, particularly for high-throughput, highly interactive AI inference. The company operates as a full-stack semiconductor technology developer spanning memory, logic, chip design, circuits, architecture, advanced packaging, and manufacturing for scalable next-generation compute systems.
