FAQ

Answer 1: None of them get paid what they are worth. Let’s be clear about that. The skills for these engineers are quite specific and hard to find. Still, they make as much as a software engineer, which is a lot more commodity than a hardware design engineer. That is why I am not doing any hardware design work anymore.

Before we look at salary, we need to see what these three different profiles actually do.

Analog design engineer

I have written a bit about analog design before, trying to be funny:

Bert Verrycken's answer to Experts in electronics engineering often say, "Analog circuit design is like black magic." What is that supposed to mean?

Analog design is quite particular since they have no automated design flow like digital design has. Every tech node needs a new analog design (unless the node is a shrink, that might not be necessary), meaning they need to verify if the calculations of the parameters and simulations are still valid. They usually are not. In 2006 we had an analog macro for an ASIC that was silicon proven in one foundry but was behaving erratically on silicon from another foundry.

For automotive and industrial for example, analog (and also mixed-signal, see below) are in older tech nodes. Fabs that were used for consumer chips are phased out for the consumer market but can be used for automotive and industrial chips. Those analog designers are behind on the latest methodology, technology and tools.

Mixed signal

I worked as a digital designer on mixed-signal chips. Analog designers would do their magic and study the waves and spice calculations. We, the digital guys, made behavioral models of the analog blocks and did extensive and regressed simulations (self-checking). For automotive and industrial older tech nodes are used and the most recent techniques (layout with more metal layers, DFT specific test patterns for newest nodes) are not part of the design process. If todays tech node development is ancient and outdated, mixed signal digital design is even worse.

Digital design

Todays tech nodes are challenging (static leakage power and dynamic consumption, DFT, …) but the ways of doing projects and digital design has no kept up compared to the tech node changes. While back in the day, the teams were about 20 people for a big system on chip, today, it can be 150 to 200. Team and resources management must be combined with cutting-edge design methodology, if not the project will cost 2 to 3 times more than it should. And it always goes that way. Anyway, that’s another discussion. A digital engineer needs to know a lot of protocols, bus protocols as well as communication protocols. They need to know about multi-processor systems with cache coherence, know about verification, synthesis, STA and DFT. But as far as I can see, today’s engineers don’t have the needed experience. Old engineers like me, they have it but there are just a few of us left. Peter’s principle has promoted most to the level of incompetence of director or vice president, lol.

Salary

In western Europe, I have the feeling, analog designers are more in demand these days, and get higher salaries. Not for automotive but for today's tech node analog design. Mixed-signal is a bit in between, I guess. Digital design is paid a bit less than analog, probably because they need so many these days for big SoC’s and there is always budget pressure.

EDIT 26/10/2018: Salary and career are two things that have drastically changed quite recently. This question triggered me to write a summary about that topic on my Quora blog:

Quora space: HW accelerators eating AI (more than 58K professionals following my space).
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Answer 2: Generally, analog and mixed-signal design engineers tend to earn higher salaries than digital design engineers in the semiconductor industry. There are a few key reasons for this:

1. Complexity: Analog and mixed-signal design is considered more complex and challenging compared to digital design. Analog circuits deal with continuous signals and must account for factors like noise, interference, and non-linearity, which require specialized expertise.

2. Scarcity of talent: There is a smaller talent pool of engineers proficient in analog and mixed-signal design compared to digital design. This scarcity of skilled analog/mixed-signal engineers drives up their value and compensation.

3. Application-specific knowledge: Analog and mixed-signal design often requires deep domain knowledge in specific applications like RF, power management, data conversion, etc. This application-specific expertise is highly valued by employers.

4. Criticality to product success: Analog and mixed-signal components are often critical to the performance and functionality of semiconductor products. Their proper design can make or break a product, further increasing their importance and earning potential.

In contrast, digital design is more widely taught and practiced, making digital designers more readily available in the job market. While digital design is still a valuable skill, the supply of talent is generally higher compared to analog/mixed-signal design.

It's worth noting that salaries can also vary based on factors like company, location, years of experience, and the specific job responsibilities. But in general, the higher complexity, scarcity of talent, and criticality of analog/mixed-signal design contribute to their higher compensation levels compared to digital design in the semiconductor industry.

source: https://www.quora.com/Who-gets-more-salary-in-semiconductor-design-analog-mixed-or-digital-design-engineer-Why

Answer 1: A lot of skills for a chip designer are learned through experience over years. So it is hard to give a single list, but following should cover some of the must-know things as you start your journey through a chip designer career.

1. Fundamentals of digital logic design. These are must to make you think as a chip designer, be able to microarchitect the design in terms of logic blocks, interconnects and synthesizing into right constructs etc.

2. Fundamentals of analog circuit design - PLLs, CDR (clock and data recovery circuits), ADC/DAC, high speed signalling and signal integrity concepts (cross talk, jitter, ringing etc)

   1. If you are working on a pure digital design, these may not be that critical, but current designs always have several complex clocking schemes and high speed interfaces which makes an understanding of these important.

3. Design Methodologies and flow - A good understanding of design flows and methodologies - RTL design, physical design, STA (Static timing analysis) etc.

4. Use of atleast one HDL language - Most of chip designs uses an HDL like SystemVerilog or VHDL and having a sound knowledge of the language helps you to traslate your design into an efficient HDL model. Based on whether you are using the HDL for RTL development or for design verification - the skills would vary as well.

5. Power, Performance, Area estimations and trade offs - Most of current chip designs would have a target of meeting highest performance at the lowest power within an optimal area - decided by market requirements and cost. A chip designer will need to trade off several design features/techniques to meet this.

6. Some other recommended skills (though may not be a must-to-know for all)

   1. Scripting languages - With every job focusing on efficiency , knowledge in atleast one scripting language like python/perl would help. In RTL design these would be useful for generating repetitive code, parameterizing designs for different needs etc. In design verification these would be useful even more in terms of simulation setup, testing, regression and debugs etc.

   2. Transistor process technology - Understanding details on various process technologies used in chip design would be an added advantage some times.

   3. With designs trending to be more SOC (System on Chip), most designs these days will have atleast one or more processor cores embedded. Understanding fundamentals of microprocessor and programming, hardware-software interface would help in efficient hardware/software architecture for the chip design.

   4. Domain knowledge - Based on the application and market for the chips that are designed, having a sound knowledge in that specific application/market would be very useful. Some of the domains that see a lot of chip designs include - Networking (Ethernet, Storage etc), Wireless, IoT (Internet of things), ARM based SOCs using AMBA protocol interconnects etc.
      
      
      

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Answer 2: To become a chip designer, the key skills and knowledge you should focus on learning are:

Solid background in electrical engineering, particularly digital logic design, analog circuit design, and semiconductor physics. Courses in topics like digital electronics, VLSI design, and microprocessor architecture are essential.

Proficiency in hardware description languages like Verilog and VHDL for designing and simulating digital circuits at the register transfer level.

Experience with EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools used throughout the chip design process, such as logic synthesis, place and route, and timing analysis tools.

Understanding of chip manufacturing processes, including transistor fabrication, packaging, and testing. Knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM) practices.

Familiarity with computer architecture concepts like pipelining, caching, memory hierarchy, and parallel processing to design efficient microprocessor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) architectures.

Skills in algorithms, data structures, and high-level programming languages to develop firmware, drivers, and verification testbenches.

Ability to apply design principles like modularity, low power, and testability to manage the complexity of modern chip designs.

The typical educational path is a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering, supplemented by hands-on projects and internships in the semiconductor industry. Ongoing continuing education is also important to stay current with evolving chip design methodologies and technologies.

source: https://www.quora.com/What-should-I-learn-to-become-a-chip-designer

Answer 1: Have you ever debugged a circuit without looking up on Internet ? Have you ever sat on a bench and fiddled with Scopes, Multi-meter, Sources ? = Go Analog

Good at coding and logic design and fire up simulators to get frequency response = Go Digital.

Analog design takes years to master. There is no room for mediocrity there. Sign up only if you are passionate, not because of glamour quotient.

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Answer 2: Analog circuit design is much much harder. You will still be doing differential equations and all the other math you learned. Digital design is heavily rooted in the math topic called discrete mathematics; that is, you deal with truth tables and gates.

Your question however is slightly flawed.

Remember IC design is different than just pure analog circuit design or digital circuit design. All IC design (chip making as opposed to circuits) essentially has analog design components.

Even if you build a pure digital IC chip, you are essentially working in analog when you layout the transistors and figure out the delays. Digital is an abstraction that works over the analog components. The digital abstraction is merely a convenience that is facilitated over transistors that operate as switches. That is, transistors aren’t the only way to achieve digital circuits.

10 years ago people thought the future was bio circuits; that is, using cell activation potential to manipulate 1s and 0s instead of silicon based transistors. We don’t know where the future will take us. It might be toward quantum computing.

At this point, there is essentially no such thing as pure digital when we talk about the technology that supports the digital abstraction.

I would focus on digital with a strong knowledge of analog if you want to get into IC design.

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source: https://www.quora.com/Should-I-go-for-analog-integrated-circuit-design-or-digital

Answer 1: Depends on which phase you are in. If you are in high school and have already made choice about circuit design, try to break radios and TV at your home.

If you are in bachelors, try to focus on circuit design courses.

If you are in Masters, do hard core circuit design with circuit simulators and of course read a lot about circuit design.

I started doing circuit design after my Masters. I am in learning phase now and dont know too much. However, based on my limited experience, I can suggest these courses assuming you are in college:

1. Basic electrical engineering course. (course which explains about KCL, KVL, passive and active elements, nodal equations etc.)
2. Analog circuit design (course which explains about current mirrors, feedback, oscillators, amplifiers, noise etc)
3. Digital circuit design (course which explains about logic gates, synthesis, design, timing, verilog behavioral models, state machines etc)
4. Basic introductory chapters of semiconductor devices.

After this you will be able to follow any specialized course in circuit design domain.

Good luck :)

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Answer 2: I would recommend pursuing an advance degree (i.e., MS or Ph.D.) in electrical and computer engineering. See Choosing a Graduate Program in VLSI Design & Related Areas: Things to Consider.

Depending on your interest and the range of classes offered by the department, take design classes in various domains (analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits). I would encourage you to take classes in all domains so that you have a broad overview of IC design. Then, specialize in one domain.

Advance analog IC design classes can focus on oscillators and amplifiers. Or only on filters (including fractional continuous-time linear filters). Bear in mind of the digital-aided analog design trend. You can replace analog circuits with digital equivalents.

Digital IC design can focus on system-level design (or electronic system-level design, including hardware/software co-design), front-end design (@ RTL), or back-end design (physical design/synthesis). Some degree programs offer classes in each of these areas.

Some programs offer classes that involve implementing algorithms for different software applications as VLSI systems, such as those in computer vision (think hardware for embedded computer vision), computer graphics (as graphics processors), and digital signal processing (i.e., digital signal processors).

You may also want to look into digital VLSI testing, since classes often include topics such as built-in self-test (BIST) and design-for-testability (DFT). Many semiconductor companies highly value job candidates with skills in such areas.

Classes in computer architecture, including microarchitecture, can involve designing ICs too. For example, you may be asked to design processors or network-on-chips.

Experience can include project experience during coursework and research projects in academic programs. VLSI design classes in academically rigorous programs can involve designing 2-4 industry-grade integrated circuits, such as an SRAM, a 32-bit processor, and a Viterbi decoder. Open source IC design projects can also help you get a foot in the door. Internships help a lot and pay a lot too (especially for Ph.D. students).

source: https://www.quora.com/How-does-one-get-to-work-as-an-integrated-circuit-designer

Answer 1: A master of science degree is generally considered important for work as an IC design engineer, especially in the analog/mixed-signal domain. Many employers prefer or require candidates to have an advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.

The in-depth coursework and research experiences gained during an MSc. program provide valuable technical knowledge and hands-on skills that are directly applicable to IC design roles. Specific topics covered typically include circuit theory, device physics, analog/RF circuit design, digital signal processing, and advanced simulation/modeling techniques.

Additionally, the independent project work and thesis component of an MSc. program help develop critical problem-solving, analytical, and communication abilities that are highly valued in the IC design field. Employers often view an MSc. as demonstrating a deeper level of expertise and specialization compared to just a bachelor's degree.

That said, there are some cases where relevant industry experience can substitute for or complement an advanced degree, especially for more senior-level IC design positions. But in general, an MSc. is considered an asset and may open up more opportunities, particularly early in one's career. The specific degree requirements can vary by employer and location, so it's advisable to research the expectations for your target companies and roles.

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Answer 2: An M.S. degree can be sufficient for many analog/RF integrated circuit (IC) design roles, though a PhD is often preferred or required for more advanced or research-oriented positions. The specific requirements can vary depending on the employer and the complexity of the design work.

For entry-level and many mid-level analog/RF IC design roles, an M.S. in electrical engineering or a related field is often enough to get hired, especially if the candidate has relevant internship or project experience. The M.S. curriculum provides the core technical knowledge and skills needed for circuit design, analysis, and simulation.

However, a PhD can be advantageous or even required for more specialized, advanced, or research-focused analog/RF IC design roles. A doctoral program allows for deeper exploration of topics like device physics, noise analysis, electromagnetic effects, and cutting-edge circuit architectures. Candidates with a PhD may have an edge for positions involving novel circuit topologies, device modeling, or fundamental research.

Additionally, some employers, particularly in academia or research labs, may require a PhD for their senior-level analog/RF design positions. These roles may involve leading research projects, developing new design methodologies, or supervising teams of engineers.

So in summary, an M.S. can suffice for many analog/RF IC design jobs, but a PhD may be preferred or necessary for more specialized, advanced, or research-intensive positions. The specific educational requirements often depend on the nature of the work and the preferences of the employer.

source: https://www.quora.com/How-important-is-an-MSc-degree-to-work-as-an-IC-design-engineer-analog-mixed-signal

1. IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer)

• Intel: One of the largest semiconductor companies, Intel designs and manufactures its own chips.

• Samsung Electronics: A leading IDM that produces memory chips, processors, and other components.

• Texas Instruments (TI): Known for analog chips and embedded processors, TI designs and manufactures its own products.

• Infineon Technologies: A German semiconductor manufacturer focusing on automotive and industrial electronics.

• STMicroelectronics: A European company offering a broad range of semiconductor solutions.

2. Fabs (Foundries)

• TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company): The largest dedicated semiconductor foundry globally, producing chips for fabless companies and other clients.

• GlobalFoundries: A major semiconductor foundry that produces chips for various industries.

• UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation): A semiconductor foundry that offers advanced manufacturing capabilities.

• Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC): China's largest semiconductor foundry. 

• X-FAB

• ST-Microelectronics

• IHP

3. Fabless

• NVIDIA: A fabless company that designs GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) but outsources manufacturing to foundries like TSMC.

• Qualcomm: Designs semiconductors, particularly for mobile devices, and outsources production.

• AMD (Advanced Micro Devices): Designs processors and GPUs but relies on external foundries for manufacturing.

• Broadcom Inc.: Designs a wide range of chips for networking, communications, and more, without its own fabs. Offers a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions.

• MediaTek Inc.: A Taiwanese company focusing on chipsets for wireless communications. A major supplier of SoCs (System-on-Chip) for mobile devices, outsourcing production to foundries. 

4. OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test)

• ASE Group (Advanced Semiconductor Engineering): One of the largest providers of semiconductor packaging and testing services.

• Amkor Technology: A leading OSAT company providing assembly and testing services for semiconductor companies.

• JCET Group: A global provider of semiconductor packaging and testing services, serving clients worldwide.

• SPIL (Siliconware Precision Industries): Offers semiconductor packaging and testing services to chip companies.

• ChipMOS Technologies: Specializes in semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging, serving fabless companies and IDMs.

These companies play different roles in the semiconductor ecosystem, from designing chips to manufacturing, assembly, and testing.