Principal ASIC Engineer (San Diego, CA)

About Synchron 

Synchron is a neurotechnology company with a mission to deliver the first commercially scalable brain-computer interface (BCI) for millions of people with paralysis to reconnect with the world. Our minimally invasive BCI system is designed to enable users to control digital devices directly through thought, restoring access and control over the digital world. Our team is working at the intersection of healthcare and technology to translate breakthrough research into real-world care.

Join us in shaping a more connected and accessible future. 

Location: San Diego, CA, United States (on-site)

About the Job

Synchron is seeking an experienced Principal ASIC Engineer to own the architecture, specification, and delivery of our high-performance neural interface ASIC. You’ll work closely with our internal hardware and neuroscience teams while driving external ASIC vendors and design partners through all development phases — from early concept through production silicon.

This is a technical leadership role with high impact and broad scope. You’ll set design direction, ensure system alignment, and drive key decisions that balance performance, power, and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Architecture & Specifications:Define long-term ASIC architecture and top-level specifications for high-density neural signal acquisition and processing. Set design standards for ASICs that may affect multiple product lines.
• Technical Leadership:Provide technical leadership and accountability for multiple project teams, guiding them through complex design and verification challenges.
• Implementation & Verification:Oversee the entire design flow from RTL (Register-Transfer Level) implementation (using Verilog/SystemVerilog) through synthesis, timing analysis, and verification closure using methodologies like UVM (Universal Verification Methodology).
• Cross-functional Collaboration:Work closely with system architects, physical design, software, firmware, and validation teams to ensure seamless integration and system-level performance.
• Problem Solving & Debugging:Act as the escalation point for high-risk technical issues, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions during pre-silicon and post-silicon validation and debug.
• Mentoring & Process Improvement:Mentor senior and staff engineers, conduct design reviews, and recommend new tools and practices for continuous improvement in the ASIC design flow.
• Vendor & Project Management:Assist in interfacing with external ASIC vendors, managing project schedules and milestones, and balancing resource trade-offs across projects. 

Requirements

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5-10+ years of experience in ASIC/SoC design and development, with at least one full ASIC development cycle from concept to silicon.
• Technical Skills:
  • Deep expertise in HDL (Hardware Description Languages) such as Verilog/VHDL and HVL (Hardware Verification Languages) like SystemVerilog.
  • Proficiency with Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools (e.g., Synopsys, Cadence, Mentor Graphics) for simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis.
  • Strong knowledge of design principles including clock domain crossing (CDC), low-power design techniques, and Design for Testability (DFT).
  • Demonstrated ability to architect and optimize ASICs for ultra-low-power operation, including sub-µW/channel front-ends, low-leakage circuits, and efficient power domains.
  • Experience designing for microvolt-level biopotential signals with excellent linearity, dynamic range, and noise performance.
  • Understanding of circuit and layout techniques to achieve high electrical isolation and minimize crosstalk across thousands of parallel acquisition channels.
  • Hands-on experience analyzing and mitigating coupling, ground bounce, and substrate noise in dense mixed-signal designs.
  • Ability to work across analog, digital, and packaging boundaries to ensure signal fidelity from sensor to system output.
  • Experience with scripting languages (Python, Perl, Tcl) for automation.
• Soft Skills:
  • Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and data-driven decision-making skills.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to work effecti