We develop the foundation IP behind the Cisco Silicon One platform, which powers the world's most advanced switches and routers. Our international team delivers the standard cell libraries and analog IP that Silicon One ASICs are built on, on groundbreaking process technology.
About the Role
We are hiring an ASIC Engineer to own standard cell layout for our next-generation ASICs on innovative FinFET and GAA nodes. You will design and verify high-performance cells, drive physical verification to clean signoff, and own library quality from GDS to release. You will work closely with circuit design, characterization, physical design and foundry teams. As the senior technical owner, you will set direction, define methodology and mentor engineers on the team.
What You'll Do
- Drive the layout architecture and design of standard cell libraries: logic, high-drive, clock, level shifter, tap/boundary and specialty cells.
- Own the physical design of complex cells, optimizing for density, performance, power, EM and manufacturability.
- Drive physical verification to clean signoff: DRC, LVS, antenna, ERC, extraction and EM/IR.
- Define and own library QA: keep GDS, LEF, Liberty, NDM, CDL and Verilog consistent and ready for signoff.
- Develop and deploy automation for layout, verification and QA (Python, Tcl, SKILL).
- Contribute to analog/mixed-signal IP design and layout alongside the mixed-signal team.
- Work with the characterization team on extraction, netlist QA and correlation; contribute to library release.
- Lead block-level issue resolution and take part in chip-level debug with the physical design and STA teams.
- Drive layout and QA reviews, flag concerns early, and mentor engineers.
- Bachelor's + 7 years, Master's + 4 years, or PhD + 1 year of related experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related field.
- First hand standard cell layout experience on advanced nodes such as TSMC 5nm, 3nm or 2nm.
- Strong physical verification and extraction experience, with tools such as Calibre, ICV, StarRC or Quantus.
- Experience with library QA and view consistency checks (GDS, LEF, Liberty, CDL).
- Proficiency in Cadence Virtuoso.
Preferred Qualifications
- Analog/mixed-signal design and layout experience, such as PLLs, LDOs, bandgaps, IOs or sensors, including matching, shielding and post-layout simulation.
- Experience with standard cell characterization and Liberty modeling, using tools such as PrimeLib, Liberate or SiliconSmart.
- Experience with library release: abstract/LEF and NDM generation, packaging and validation in P&R tools such as Innovus, Fusion Compiler or ICC2.
- Scripting in Python, Tcl, SKILL or Perl for design automation.
- Experience with EM/IR closure and low-power cells (multi-Vt, power gating, retention).
- Experience with IO/bump cell layout.
- Strong written and spoken English, and experience working in multi-site teams.
Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree plus 7 years, Master's degree plus 4 years, or PhD plus 1 year of related experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Hands-on standard cell layout experience on advanced nodes such as TSMC 5nm, 3nm, or 2nm.
- Strong physical verification and extraction experience using tools such as Calibre, ICV, StarRC, or Quantus.
- Experience with library QA and view consistency checks involving GDS, LEF, Liberty, and CDL.
- Proficiency in Cadence Virtuoso.
- Analog or mixed-signal design and layout experience, including PLLs, LDOs, bandgaps, IOs, sensors, matching, shielding, and post-layout simulation.
- Standard cell characterization and Liberty modeling experience using PrimeLib, Liberate, or SiliconSmart.
- Library release experience including abstract/LEF and NDM generation, packaging, and validation in Innovus, Fusion Compiler, or ICC2.
- Scripting experience in Python, Tcl, SKILL, or Perl for design automation.
- Experience with EM/IR closure and low-power cells such as multi-Vt, power gating, and retention cells.
- Experience with IO and bump cell layout.
- Strong written and spoken English and experience working in multi-site teams.
Cisco Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cisco and has not been reviewed or approved by Cisco.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as broad, with medical options including PPOs, high-deductible plans, and regional HMOs. Feedback suggests robust wellness and mental-health resources, with some locations offering on-site support and second medical opinions.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is highlighted through paid holidays, paid time off, and additional recharge days such as “Days for Me,” with generous volunteer time also mentioned. Feedback suggests these programs help support rest, volunteering, and critical life events.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support appears extensive, including paid child-bonding leave, family medical leave, and caregiving resources. Observations also point to family-planning assistance and adoption or surrogacy support in some regions.
Cisco Insights
What We Do
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) enables people to make powerful connections--whether in business, education, philanthropy, or creativity. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible--providing easy access to information anywhere, at any time. Cisco was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company's inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. Today, with more than 71,000 employees worldwide, this tradition of innovation continues with industry-leading products and solutions in the company's core development areas of routing and switching, as well as in advanced technologies such as home networking, IP telephony, optical networking, security, storage area networking, and wireless technology. In addition to its products, Cisco provides a broad range of service offerings, including technical support and advanced services. Cisco sells its products and services, both directly through its own sales force as well as through its channel partners, to large enterprises, commercial businesses, service providers, and consumers.
