Principal Analog ASIC Design Engineer

Principal Analog ASIC Design Engineer

About Xanadu: 
Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities: 
We are looking for an experienced and driven Analog IC Design Engineer to join our hardware team and contribute to the development of cutting-edge photonic quantum computing systems. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges involving high-speed analog, high voltage, and advanced semiconductor and packaging technologies, this position is likely a good fit for you.

At Xanadu, we are on track for building photonic quantum computers with significant value to society by the end of the decade. As our Principal Analog IC Design Engineer, you will ramp up Xanadu’s in-house capabilities for analog IC design both by building a portfolio of design solutions, as well as by shaping the culture and technical expertise of our growing analog IC team. You will contribute critical components for controlling and reading out our core hardware, shape our architectural analog IC roadmap, and orchestrate the entire lifecycle of custom ICs built to operate our quantum photonic modules. Critical circuit elements you will be working on include ultra-low-noise transimpedance amplifiers, high-voltage amplifiers and drivers, AD/DA converters, and interfaces to digital control hardware. To set you up for success, Xanadu will provide you with the necessary tools and resources, such as access to the latest generation of EDA tools and IT infrastructure, the ability to hire additional staff, outsource work packages to external partners, and leverage our state-of-the art laboratories for diagnostics and testing. Despite being viewed as a senior leader, you will not be alone on this mission, and enjoy daily exchanges with adjacent engineering teams collaborating on PCB and interposer design, IC packaging, photonic IC design, digital control, IT tooling, systems integration, and to close the loop on fundamental design challenges you may encounter, our quantum architecture team. We cannot wait to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Architecture & Strategy: Define the technical roadmap, architectural specifications, and methodology for novel, high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs to meet next-generation quantum computing targets.
• Internal Design Ownership & Tape-Out: Lead the design, top-level layout integration, and verification strategy for complex tapeouts, ensuring first-time-right silicon success for critical system blocks.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Serve as the primary technical interface with tier-1 external IC design houses, guide them through process surveys, preliminary simulations, detailed design, tape-out execution, and post-silicon verification.
• Testing, Characterization & Debug: Oversee advanced lab characterization strategies, analyzing silicon performance against complex system requirements and driving the resolution of deep technical anomalies.
• Cross-Functional & Strategic Collaboration: Partner closely with photonics, packaging, and systems architecture teams to co-design and solve foundational system-level integration and scalability challenges.
• Technical Leadership: Mentor engineering staff, champion design best practices, and serve as the company-wide subject matter expert for analog IC design.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• Experience: 10+ years of professional experience in analog or mixed-signal IC/ASIC/VLSI design, with a history of leading successful complex IC projects.
• Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on IC design or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Full-Cycle Leadership: A proven track record of steering complex tapeouts from initial architecture definition through to successful silicon validation and system integration.
• Technical Mastery: Deep experience in designing highly challenging analog circuits. Process Versatility: Extensive design experience across multiple advanced semiconductor process nodes, ability to strategically select the optimal process for an application.
• Tool Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard EDA environments (Cadence) along with the ability to define simulation and verification methodologies.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex technical concepts into clear documentation, design reviews, and strategic recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• Advanced Education: A Ph.D. focused on a relevant IC design topic.
• Photonics Experience: Direct experience architecting interface electronics for photodetectors, optical modulators, or co-packaged optics.
• Advanced Processes: Pioneer-level experience with High-Voltage SOI, RF Analog, or GaN process development and modeling.
• Data Converters: Demonstrated experience architecting and delivering high-performance, custom DAC/ADC architectures.

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 200,000+ CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [email protected].

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.