Standard Cell Library Engineer

Project

Work done for a product or program.

• Design cell schematics and transistor sizing for combinational, sequential, clock, and special-function cells.
• Create DRC-clean, litho-friendly cell layouts within the track height and pin-access constraints of the node.
• Characterise timing, power, and noise across PVT corners and generate Liberty models including CCS and ECSM.
• Define the multi-VT, multi-channel-length, and multi-track offering strategy in line with product PPA needs.
• Design specialty cells such as multi-bit flip-flops, integrated clock gates, level shifters, and isolation cells.
• Generate and verify LEF abstracts, antenna properties, and physical-only cells including fillers and taps.
• Support silicon validation of cell-level ring oscillators and feed measured data into model recalibration.
• Maintain library release packages, version control, and ECO cell coverage for the implementation teams.

Function

Work that keeps the discipline running: methods, tools, suppliers and people.

• Validate library quality with Liberty checks, monotonicity analysis, and cross-corner consistency audits.
• Benchmark library PPA against foundry reference libraries and competitor offerings using test-chip blocks.

Project

1. Produce and hand over the role's key deliverables
   • Released standard cell library with GDS, LEF, Liberty, and SPICE views
   • Characterisation corner matrix and Liberty QA report
   • Library architecture specification including track height and VT offering
   • Library PPA benchmark against reference and competitive libraries
   • Silicon correlation report from ring oscillator test structures
2. Implement the layoutGeneral
   • Floorplan and plan the power grid
   • Place, build the clock tree and route
   • Run extraction and analysis
3. Close sign-offGeneral
   • Close timing at every corner
   • Clear DRC and LVS
   • Complete the sign-off checklist

Function

1. Maintain the flowGeneral
   • Update scripts and flow settings
   • Qualify new tool versions
2. Share knowledgeGeneral
   • Document fixes for recurring issues
   • Train newer engineers on the flow