Analog and Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (San Diego)

Avery is a trailblazer in developing transformative technologies to solve the world’s most pressing biological and industrial challenges. We are building the world’s first fully automated genetic engineering platform—an end-to-end system that integrates novel semiconductor-based chips to scale the synthesis, assembly, and testing of genetic components in both cell-free and cellular environments. This unified platform bridges the digital and biological realms, enabling unprecedented speed and precision in bioengineering. Our mission is to revolutionize industries—from drug discovery and precision medicine to advanced materials and sustainable agriculture—by unlocking the full potential of programmable biology.

If you're passionate about shaping the future of biotechnology and want to work at the cutting edge of science and engineering, we’d love to hear from you. Help us unlock and accelerate the engineering of life.

Analog and Mixed-Signal IC Designer

We are seeking an Analog and Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit (IC) Designer with demonstrated high-voltage IC design experience to lead and develop integrated circuits operating in BCD and high-voltage CMOS technologies (up to ~200 V).

This role focuses on designing robust analog and mixed-signal circuits spanning large voltage domains where device physics, isolation, layout, and long-term reliability are first-order design constraints.

In collaboration with the electrochemistry and microfluidics teams, the successful candidate will contribute to circuit architecture, detailed design, and silicon validation for next-generation biological synthesis systems requiring precise control and switching of high voltages.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with a skilled multi-disciplinary team to define system requirements
• Architect and design circuits operating across LV and HV domains
• Drive selection of optimum technology node for the application
• Design analog and mixed-signal circuits in HV/BCD processes such as high-voltage drivers and interfaces, level shifters and domain isolation circuits, bias, reference, and sensing circuits and protection and reliability structures
• Perform schematic design, simulation, and post-layout verification
• Collaborate closely with layout to implement HV-safe structures
• Evaluate device stress, SOA, lifetime reliability and do the risk mitigation
• Support silicon bring-up, characterization, and debugging
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education

• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience, ideally within life sciences, synthetic biology, or biopharma.
• A PhD in Electrical Engineering or related discipline OR MS with 5 years of experience or BS with 5 years of experience.
• Direct experience designing and taking to production circuits in a high-voltage IC technology (BCD, HV CMOS, SOI, or power IC process)
• Demonstrated understanding and practical experience with:
• Design challenges associated with high-voltage devices (typically >40 V; higher voltage is advantageous)
• Designing efficient high-voltage driver circuits for capacitive or electrochemical loads (kHz ~ MHz range)
• Analysis and design for the circuits to meet reliability, SOA and device stress
• Transistor level analog design of the blocks (current and voltage bias, bandgap references, amplifiers, LDO, DAC/ADC and Level Shifters LVàHV) using Cadence Virtuoso.
• Layout design, debug and physical verification LVS, DRC and PEX.
• Spectre or comparable tools for Analysis related to Noise, Mismatch, Monte carlo along with Pre and post layout extractions.
• Understanding of ESD and Latch up.
• Verilog A modeling and AMS simulations is a PLUS.
• Silicon bring-up ownership
• Failure analysis participation
• Good communication skills, team player, driven by excellence in execution. Comfortable working in a dynamic startup environment.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a willingness to contribute in cross-disciplinary technical environments.
• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, start-up environments, showing flexibility, initiative, and a growth-oriented mindset.
• Starting salary at $135,000. Final salary will be based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Under standard working conditions, this position is based in our San Diego, CA office.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• As a critical and essential role, the candidate must be willing and able to travel to the San Diego, CA office to report to work.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and may perform repetitive tasks such as lifting, standing, pipetting, preparing samples, and operating equipment for extended periods.
• The candidate must be comfortable working in and around a laboratory and instrumentation environment in accordance with all safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Avery is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.