IC Design Manager
Location: Cambridge
Department: Development
Reports To: Director of Engineering
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
About Us:
Forefront RF is an innovative fabless semiconductor company developing cutting-edge RF technology for mobile device manufacturers. Our mission is to revolutionize RF front-end technology by enabling seamless global connectivity – and ultimately, to unlock the long-standing vision of true software-defined radio. We are developing advanced, multi-chip RF modules that integrate adaptive circuitry, digitally controlled components, embedded software, and complex analog/RF designs into highly compact form factors.
Our Values:
We place a strong emphasis on fostering a culture rooted in collaboration, teamwork, and accountability. We believe that when we work together, drawing on each team member’s unique strengths, we can achieve remarkable results.
Our commitment to integrity, respect, honesty, and openness forms the foundation of our interactions, both within the company and with our valued partners and clients. We encourage ambition, initiative, and visionary thinking, as we understand that these qualities drive innovation and propel us towards success.
In addition, we value adaptability, proactivity, and resilience. We are looking for individuals who are comfortable with ambiguity and can navigate through it, demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving.
These values collectively define who we are and want to be as a team and guide us as we navigate the exciting journey ahead. If you align with our mission and values, and are ready to grow with us, we would love to hear from you.
Job Overview:
This is an exciting opportunity to join Forefront RF at an early stage and lead our newly established IC design team as they grow in both size and capability.
As IC Design Manager, you’ll take overall responsibility for the design and development of RF silicon ICs, central to our tuneable front-end module technology. You will oversee the design of wideband low noise amplifiers (LNAs), RF switches, and digitally tuneable capacitors (DTCs), along with supporting analog and mixed-signal blocks. You will also collaborate with our IC design service partner and internal RF module team to ensure seamless integration and co-simulation of IC and module behaviour, while contributing to performance optimization.
You will provide day-to-day leadership and line management of the IC design team, offering both technical guidance and personal mentorship. Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering, you will work closely with the senior management team and technical contributors across the company.
Key Responsibilities:
* Milestone achievement: Lead the team to achieve key technical milestones.
* Team leadership: Manage and mentor the IC design team, setting clear expectations, driving performance management, and supporting team members in their growth and development.
* Talent Development: Recruit, retain, and onboard IC and Senior IC designers to the Cambridge team.
* Technical oversight: Manage the design and development of RF IC building blocks including wideband LNAs, RF switches, DTCs, and supporting analog/mixed-signal circuits.
* System integration: Support silicon RFIC circuit integration into multi-chip module (MCM) assemblies.
* Simulation & validation: Manage the setup of co-simulation environments, including the development of simulation models and execution of top-level MCM simulations.
* Project Management: Lead IC design planning, risk analysis, and performance alignment.
* Cross function collaboration: Collaborate effectively across internal and external teams, facilitating communication between IC and module design functions
Requirements
About you:
You’re excited by the opportunity to work with breakthrough technologies. You may thrive in this role if you have some or all of the following:
* Proven experience in IC design leadership roles, ideally in an RF environment.
* Experience in meeting key business milestones
* A passion for people development and building scalable, modern engineering cultures.
* Technical background in RFIC, analog/mixed-signal design, or RF module development
* Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, microelectronics, or something similar.
* Previous/current hands-on experience with Cadence design tools; familiarity with ADS Momentum/RF Pro and Mentor Graphics DRC/LVA/PEX is a plus.
* Deep expertise in RF IC design using various silicon technologies, including SOI.
Benefits
* An opportunity to grow and build a new team
* Autonomy & ownership: join a team where you can have a real impact
* Competitive salary and pension contributions
* Company share option scheme
* 25 days holiday + national holidays
* Weekly company lunches
* Flexible work hours and remote work options
We believe in equal opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.