Layout Design R&D Engineer

We enable IC design across a wide range of advanced technology programs, and platforms including logic, memory, 3D integration, and exploratory research. To support this growth, we are looking for a highly motivated Layout Design Engineer to join our team. You will work closely with designers, PDK developers, and mask data preparation experts, ensuring layouts are robust, manufacturable, and ready for tape-out.

What you will do

• Design and maintain custom IC layouts for test chips and technology development. 
• Work with parametric or template-based layout concepts (e.g. PCell-like structures). 
• Contribute layout automation and design methodologies for repetitive or complex structures. 
• Ensure design-rule compliance, including interaction with DRC and LVS verification flows. 
• Collaborate with PDK developers on layout enablement, rule interpretation, and design environments. 
• Support tape-out activities, including layout debugging, iteration, and documentation. 
• Interface with mask data preparation and verification teams as part of the end-to-end flow. 
• Support R&D projects and design platforms in areas such as advanced logic, memory, 3D integration, and emerging technologies. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• Bachelor’s degree with relevant hands‑on experience, or a Master’s degree, in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Electronics, Physics, or a related field. 
• Experience in custom physical layout design using Cadence Virtuoso, KLayout, or comparable tools. 
• Basic understanding of design rules, DRC, and LVS concepts. 
• Experience or interest in layout automation or parametric layout generation. 
• Programming or scripting experience (e.g. Python, SKILL, Tcl, Perl, or similar). 
• Familiarity with PDK concepts, physical verification, or tape-out processes. 
• Experience working in UNIX/Linux environments. 
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive working style.

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.