PMIC Architect

As Power Architecture Lead for PMIC, you will own the IVR architecture end-to-end — power conversion topology, digital control engine and analog subsystems. You will work directly with the Head of Engineering, digital architecture leads, and analog design team, and engage foundry partners and key customers at the architecture level.

This role requires equal fluency in power electronics and mixed-signal IC design. You will define the architecture, validate the tradeoffs across topology, packaging, and thermal constraints, and drive execution through tape-out.

Key Responsibilities

• Define IVR architecture: multi-phase interleaved buck converter topology, phase count configurability, switching frequency selection, and efficiency targets across load conditions
• Architect the digital control engine: per-phase duty cycle control, current balance, DVFS sequencing, and transient response optimization for AI workload dynamics
• Define the control and telemetry interface
• Establish power domain architecture for multi-domain compute targets: phase allocation, rail sequencing, and cross-domain coordination
• Define input power spec, inrush management, and integration requirements for in-package passive components including integrated inductors

Mixed‑Signal & Analog Oversight

• Define requirements for analog subsystems: gate drivers, current sensing (DCR / integrated sense), on‑chip thermal diodes, and oscillator / clock generation
• Oversee integrated inductor evaluation and selection — saturation current, DCR, Q‑factor, and co‑design with converter switching frequency
• Establish PVT corner strategy and margin targets across process, voltage, and temperature for all analog blocks
• Drive analog‑digital co‑design: ensure digital control loop stability across all PVT corners with defined phase margin and gain margin targets
• Define ESD and latch‑up protection strategy for high‑current power bumps

Implementation Oversight

• Guide process node selection for Gen 1 and roadmap generations — evaluate tradeoffs between power density, analog capability, and cost
• Lead IP evaluation for gate driver, ADC, and reference blocks; define custom vs. licensed IP strategy
• Drive DFT strategy for power chiplet: stuck‑at fault coverage, analog BIST for converter calibration, and production test requirements
• Translate AI compute platform power delivery requirements into product specifications — engage customers at the architecture level to validate rail counts, current targets, and transient profiles
• Interface with foundry partners on process capability, passive integration options, and packaging design rules
• Support technical due diligence for strategic partnerships and customer evaluations

Roadmap & IP

• Define the multi‑generation architecture roadmap — establish a clear migration path from initial process node to advanced nodes with improved power density and packaging integration

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years in power IC architecture; 5+ years at Principal level or higher in a fabless, IDM or PMIC‑focused semiconductor environment
• Deep expertise in multi‑phase synchronous buck converter design — topology selection, loop compensation, stability analysis, and efficiency optimization across load
• Mixed‑signal IC design fluency: gate driver design, current sensing techniques, analog control loops, and ADC/DAC integration in CMOS processes
• Hands‑on experience with integrated passive components — on‑chip or in‑package inductors, capacitors, and their interaction with converter performance
• Advanced packaging familiarity: flip‑chip, 2.5D/3D integration, bump map design, and thermal/electrical co‑design for power‑dense applications
• Experience driving power IC tape‑outs from architecture definition through silicon bring‑up and characterization
• Proficiency in power converter simulation: SPICE‑level transient analysis, AC loop stability, and PVT corner sweeps

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with kilowatt‑class power delivery for AI accelerators, GPUs, or high‑performance CPUs is a big plus
• Familiarity with in‑package voltage regulator architectures (FIVR, LEGO‑style VR, or substrate‑embedded passives)
• Background in PMBus / I2C / proprietary digital power management interfaces — experience migrating from legacy interfaces to die‑to‑die control fabric is a plus
• Prior startup experience or comfort with early‑stage technical ambiguity and fast‑paced execution

The pay range for this role is: 175,000 - 350,000 USD per year (San Jose (HQ))