Digital Design Lead

Digital IC Design Lead

Location:

Fareham, Hampshire
Salary:
Up to £87,000 + bonus

Contract:

Permanent

We’re recruiting for a Digital IC Design Lead on behalf of a high-growth semiconductor organisation operating at the forefront of advanced electronics. This is a senior technical leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape next-generation digital ICs used in safety-critical and high-performance applications.

You’ll lead the digital development activity across complex ASIC and MCU products, combining hands-on technical oversight with team leadership, project delivery and cross-functional collaboration across global engineering teams.

The Role
This position leads all digital IC development activities, from translating product requirements into robust digital architectures, through design, verification and validation, to silicon delivery.

You’ll manage and mentor a team of IC engineers while working closely with system architecture, software, sensor and analogue teams locally, and backend, test and reliability teams internationally.

Key Responsibilities
 
Define digital requirements derived from product and system specifications
Lead digital architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation activities
Drive development of next-generation ICs and MCUs to high reliability and safety standards
Provide technical direction to improve performance, power efficiency and cost
Manage digital IP development and third-party IP integration
Oversee resource planning, project schedules, budgets and delivery milestones
Mentor, coach and technically develop IC design engineers
Represent the digital team in EDA tool selection and methodology decisions
Collaborate across global engineering teams to ensure seamless design flow
Support silicon debug, failure analysis and validation activities  Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential:
 
Degree-qualified (BEng or MEng) in Electronics, Engineering or a related discipline
5+ years’ experience in digital or mixed-signal IC design (ASIC preferred)
Proven experience leading or managing engineers or technical projects
Strong knowledge of the full digital IC design lifecycle from specification to silicon

Experience with low-power design and power management techniques
Solid understanding of EDA tools and digital design flows through to timing sign-off
Knowledge of DfT, DfM, silicon debug and failure analysis methodologies
Strong communication skills with the ability to lead in complex, ambiguous environments  Desirable:
 
Mixed-signal design exposure

Experience with safety-critical or high-reliability designs (e.g. ISO 26262)
Familiarity with full front-end and back-end ASIC flows
Knowledge of IP maturity models and IP supply chain management
Python scripting or automation experience
Experience using tools such as JIRA and Confluence  Why Apply?
 
Salary up to £87,000 plus annual bonus
Senior technical leadership role with real influence over future products
Opportunity to work on complex, next-generation semiconductor designs
Hybrid working and modern office environment
Strong benefits package including pension, private medical and dental cover
Clear long-term career development within a growing semiconductor business  For more information or to apply, contact:
Lewis Phillips
(phone number removed)
(url removed)