What does an asic design engineer do?
An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) design engineer is responsible for creating architectural specifications and model statements for ASIC systems to support business operations and requirements. ASIC design engineers determine network solutions to resolve system complexities and enhance simulation optimization for design integration. They must have excellent technical skills, especially in writing and analyzing programming codes and languages, modify existing logic, and improve circuit infrastructures. An ASIC design engineer runs multiple quality checks with the output, ensuring that it adheres to regulations and guidelines.
Asic design engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real asic design engineer resumes:
- Manage DFT, DFM of LCB/library cells.
- Lead internal adoption of new SystemVerilog language features within the above block.
- Manage tool issue tracking list and conduct status update meetings with EDA vendor.
- Manage some minor tasks along the project cycle including manual routes, debugging, and flow development.
- Utilize IBM EDA tools and tcl scripting to debug, solve, and automate custom processes unique to customer designs.
- Manage EDA license forecasting and work with project managers and license operations team to track license resource capability and capacity requirements.
- Define system requirements and coordinate design activities among groups including hardware, software, FPGA, ASIC and RF.
- Evaluate and propose different FPGA technologies and different ASIC emulation debugging technologies.
- Lead designer (RTL through silicon) for low-power 8b microprocessor IP.
- Develop and maintain a python base framework for real time testing on the FPGA.
- Code are developed in Java.
- Utilize UVM for verifying a DMA.
- Design of CPU instruction decode unit.
- Synthesize DFX units and do PV.
- Involve in ERC rule coding using Tcl.
Asic design engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Asic Design Engineers are proficient in Architecture, SOC, and Rtl Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Asic Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Architecture, 9%
Filled in and assumed lead architect role in authoring the component specification defining product architecture requirements used by all development teams.
- SOC, 7%
Participated in the SOC application chip verification and mass-production.
- Rtl Design, 6%
Evaluated existing RTL design based on latest available specification.
- FPGA, 5%
Performed unit validation in simulation, FPGA emulation and in post-silicon.
- C++, 5%
Modeled Load/Store Unit of future processor's performance model using micro-architectural specification documents, C++, Python, and gem5.
- Perl, 5%
Created tool in Perl with teammates to generate verification environment automatically.
Most asic design engineers use their skills in "architecture," "soc," and "rtl design" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential asic design engineer responsibilities here:
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for an asic design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is initiative. This skill is important for the role because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Additionally, an asic design engineer resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "provide program and project management for product development, molding and tooling initiatives. "
Interpersonal skills. Many asic design engineer duties rely on interpersonal skills. "electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly," so an asic design engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways asic design engineer responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "handled engineering design calculations with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. "
Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of asic design engineers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday asic design engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "trained in systemverilog for verification, a multi-day course developed & presented by williamette hdl. "
Writing skills. asic design engineer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." This resume example shows what asic design engineers do with writing skills on a typical day: "analyze the report, writing perl script to generate systemverilog assertions for different violation types. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for asic design engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of asic design engineers all the time, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." An excerpt from a real asic design engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what an asic design engineer does: "designed verilog rtl for dsp and mathematical blocks for asic and fpga devices for consumer cell phones. "
The three companies that hire the most asic design engineers are:
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Compare different asic design engineers
Asic design engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an asic design engineer are more likely to require skills like "architecture," "soc," "rtl design," and "fpga." On the other hand, a job as an engineering trainee requires skills like "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "boilers." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Engineering trainees tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,253. In contrast, asic design engineers make the biggest average salary, $132,039, in the technology industry.The education levels that engineering trainees earn slightly differ from asic design engineers. In particular, engineering trainees are 15.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an asic design engineer. Additionally, they're 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asic design engineer vs. Project controls engineer
A Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, asic design engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "architecture," "soc," "rtl design," and "fpga." Meanwhile, a project controls engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "project controls," "project management," "construction management," and "primavera p6." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Project controls engineers may earn a lower salary than asic design engineers, but project controls engineers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $94,074. On the other hand, asic design engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $132,039.project controls engineers earn lower levels of education than asic design engineers in general. They're 17.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asic design engineer vs. Senior controls engineer
A senior controls engineer specializes in designing and developing control systems in various industries. Their responsibilities typically include identifying and understanding the company's needs, producing prototypes and test structures, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior controls engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, asic design engineers are more likely to have skills like "architecture," "soc," "rtl design," and "fpga." But a senior controls engineer is more likely to have skills like "control systems," "hmi," "allen-bradley," and "scada."
Senior controls engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $109,075. On the other hand, asic design engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $132,039.Most senior controls engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to asic design engineers. For example, they're 16.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asic design engineer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Types of asic design engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
