Design Application Engineer

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries (GF) is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world's most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GF makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

Summary of Role

The Application Engineer provides IC design and development solutions, drives customer design enablement, resolves complex technical issues, coordinates cross-functional execution, and improves engineering methods and reusable solutions from initial engagement through tape-out.

Essential Responsibilities

• Partner with customers and GF teams to resolve design, application, technology-platform, and design-enablement issues, with focus on RF applications.

• Translate complex customer and engineering needs into practical design and implementation solutions. 

• Validate proposed solutions against customer requirements and technical objectives. 

• Drive implementation of design-enablement capabilities to support solutions. 

• Identify gaps that could prevent successful execution of customer designs using GF technologies and methodologies. 

• Coordinate technical solutions across PDK, modeling, IP, EDA, reliability, product engineering, quality, sales, and other GF teams as needed. 

• Manage technical scope, deliverables, milestones, dependencies, risks, and recovery plans for customer solutions, assigned projects and programs. 

• Provide technical guidance through case support, design reviews, training, documentation, and mentoring. 

• Advance Application Engineering capability through continuous improvement, technical leadership, and knowledge sharing. 

• Contribute to cross-functional improvement initiatives aligned with customer and business needs. 

• Improve engineering standards, reusable flows, case-management processes, automation, and supportability. 

• Represent Application Engineering in customer engagements and cross-functional technical forums. 

• Develop application notes, troubleshooting guidance, reference flows, and operational runbooks. 
  

Other Responsibilities

• Perform all activities in a safe and responsible manner and support all Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHS&S) requirements and programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with RF technology and circuit design development through tape-out, including RF ICs such as LNAs, PAs, switches, or similar circuits.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one relevant technical discipline and proficiency in a second, such as IC design, EDA tools and methodologies, semiconductor technology applications, or design enablement.
• Working knowledge of semiconductor design-enablement components and interfaces, including PDKs, device models, IP, EDA tools, reliability requirements, and product engineering.
• Ability to understand customer requirements and translate them into practical technical solutions while evaluating designs against technical objectives, implementation constraints, and customer needs.
• Experience troubleshooting complex technical or methodology issues, performing root-cause analysis, and driving issues toward resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams, coordinate technical activities, and effectively represent Application Engineering.
• Ability to independently manage technical tasks and projects, including deliverables, milestones, dependencies, risks, and customer follow-up.
• Experience leading customer or partner technical discussions and providing technical support through case management, design reviews, training, and documentation.
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate recommendations and create technical documentation for customer and engineering audiences.
• Demonstrated accountability, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing, with the ability to mentor or train less-experienced engineers.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise applying RF technology, circuit design, or EDA methodologies to develop and deliver customer solutions.
• Proven ability to independently resolve complex, novel, and non-recurring technical issues, mobilize cross-functional resources, and drive customer or partner engagements through resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate for customer needs, influence technical decisions, align internal and external stakeholders, and introduce innovative approaches that improve efficiency or customer outcomes.
• Experience leading complex technical projects or cross-functional initiatives, including managing scope, dependencies, risks, and recovery plans.
• Recognition as a trusted technical resource or subject-matter expert, with the ability to provide technical guidance and influence teams across functions.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and train engineers, share technical knowledge, and strengthen broader team capabilities.
• Evidence of technical innovation and broader organizational impact through reusable methodologies, automation, application notes, technical presentations, publications, patents, process improvements, or technology leadership.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to build stakeholder alignment, navigate competing priorities, resolve conflict constructively, and drive timely decisions.
• Demonstrated professional judgment, accountability, adaptability, and ownership, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and consistently deliver results in a changing technical and customer environment.
• Ability to apply creativity, versatility, and technical judgment, including effective use of productivity and AI-assisted tools, to address evolving customer and business needs.

Expected Salary Range

$85,000.00 - $202,000.00

The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.