Seasonal ASIC Design Associate

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Employee Status: Can be fixed term or on-call based on the term of the assistantship:
* Fixed term: Assistantship is 6 months, limited to 20-40 hours/week.
* On-Call: Assistantship is <6 months and/or not 20 hours/week.
Note: Only fixed term employees with a minimum of 20 hours worked per week are eligible for vacation and benefits.

About the role:

Fermilab is seeking Graduate Research Assistants to join the Microelectronics Division within the Emerging Technologies Directorate. Our Integrated Circuits (IC) department designs state-of-the-art Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) for extreme environments, including radiation-hard, cryogenic, and low-power front-end electronics used in high-energy physics (HEP), quantum sensing, and space instrumentation.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to projects in collaboration with world-class institutions such as CERN, NASA, other US national labs, top-tier universities, and industry partners.

What your day-to-day as a Seasonal ASIC Design Associate at Fermilab will look like:

• Depending on your experience, you will design and simulate analog, digital, and mixed-signal ASICs, including systems-on-chip (SoCs).
• Supporting advanced integration efforts using leading CMOS nodes (28nm bulk, 22nm FDSOI).
• Participating in ASIC development for applications including silicon photonics, quantum control, edge computing, and sensor front-ends.
• Assisting with RTL development, circuit layout, verification, and simulation.
• Collaborating on ASIC tapeouts, post-silicon validation, and cryogenic or radiation testing.
• Contributing to hardware bring-up and lab-based performance testing.
  

Required Skills and Attributes for Success:

• Enrolled in or recently completed a Master's or Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.
• Experience with EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys, or equivalent) for circuit design and simulation.
• Familiarity with CMOS analog or digital design, RTL design (Verilog/SystemVerilog), or SoC integration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfort in tackling first-of-a-kind challenges.
  

Why Join Us:

• Work on cutting-edge R&D in ASIC design with real-world impact.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers across disciplines.
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and facilities.
• Be part of a dynamic, collaborative team that values innovation and adaptability.
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance and all the benefits of a Fermilab appointment.

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.

• Hybrid: is a work arrangement in which an employee as part of an ongoing regular schedule, works at an alternative worksite in the United States (e.g., an employee's residence) on some days and at the primary worksite on other days. Requires an approved hybrid work request for one or more days a week worked remotely within the United States on a routine basis.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care
  

Why Fermilab:
Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

What To Expect Next:
We'll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.