Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager Company: onsemi Location: Brno, South Moravia, Czech Republic Job Type: Full time Category: Engineering Management / Analog Design Date Posted: 2026-01-15 Experience Level: 10+ years (Senior) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the architecture, development, and delivery of complex analog and mixed-signal Intellectual Property (IP) blocks, driving innovation in semiconductor design.
• Guide and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering teams, fostering a collaborative environment for high-quality IP development.
• Oversee the entire IP lifecycle, from initial architecture and design through verification, layout, and product engineering, ensuring successful integration across multiple technology nodes.
• Drive strategic technology development initiatives in collaboration with external partners and internal stakeholders to enhance onsemi's competitive edge.
• Focus on critical semiconductor market segments, including automotive and industrial, contributing to advancements in areas like vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, and intelligent automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description focuses on analog design leadership with a strong preference for Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) or embedded memory expertise. This enhancement assumes the "Senior Design Manager" title directly translates to leading technical teams in analog circuit design, IP development, and potentially memory-related architectures, aligning with onsemi's focus on automotive and industrial sectors. The role demands a blend of deep technical acumen and strong people management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and develop complex analog and mixed-signal IP blocks, ensuring performance, power, and area targets are met.
• Lead and manage cross-functional teams comprising analog designers, verification engineers, layout engineers, product engineers, and technology development specialists.
• Define and implement robust design methodologies and best practices for analog and mixed-signal IP development, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with product definition teams, marketing, and customer-facing engineers to translate market requirements into technical specifications for IP blocks.
• Drive the verification strategy for analog and mixed-signal IP, ensuring comprehensive coverage and timely sign-off.
• Oversee the physical design aspects, including layout strategy and integration, to meet performance and manufacturability requirements.
• Engage with technology development teams to understand and leverage new process technologies for optimal IP performance and cost.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues encountered during design, verification, and product engineering phases.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence within the design team.
• Contribute to strategic planning for IP roadmaps and technology development, aligning with onsemi's long-term business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded based on typical duties of a Senior Design Manager in the semiconductor industry, particularly one focused on IP development. This includes detailed aspects of the design lifecycle, team management, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic contributions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• PhD in a relevant engineering discipline is a strong plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in analog and mixed-signal circuit design within the semiconductor industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing engineering teams, with a proven track record of successful project delivery.
• Proven experience in IP architecture and development for complex analog/mixed-signal blocks.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in analog circuit design techniques and methodologies (e.g., CMOS, BiCMOS, FinFET).
• Strong understanding of mixed-signal design principles, including ADCs, DACs, PLLs, LDOs, etc.
• Proven experience in leading technical teams and managing project timelines and resources effectively.
• Familiarity with semiconductor fabrication processes and their impact on analog circuit performance.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Experience with industry-standard EDA tools for schematic capture, simulation, layout, and verification.

Preferred Skills:

• Specific expertise in Non-Volatile Memory (NVM), One-Time Programmable (OTP) memory, or other embedded memory architectures.
• Experience with advanced technology nodes (e.g., < 28nm).
• Knowledge of automotive or industrial semiconductor requirements and qualification processes.
• Familiarity with digital design and verification concepts for mixed-signal integration.
• Experience with scripting languages for automation (e.g., Python, Perl).
• Understanding of power management ICs (PMICs) and their design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills and qualifications have been detailed to reflect a senior management role in analog design. Emphasis is placed on both technical depth in analog/mixed-signal design and specific memory architectures, as well as essential leadership and project management capabilities crucial for a managerial position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Examples of complex analog and mixed-signal IP blocks designed and delivered under your leadership, showcasing innovation and performance achievements.
• Case studies detailing the challenges, solutions, and outcomes of projects managed, highlighting leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Documentation of design flows and methodologies implemented to ensure high-quality IP development and verification.
• Evidence of team development and mentorship initiatives, demonstrating leadership effectiveness.
• Contributions to strategic technology roadmaps or process improvements within previous organizations.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of structured design and verification processes for analog and mixed-signal IP, including documentation of design reviews, verification plans, and sign-off criteria.
• Examples of how you have optimized design flows or introduced new tools/methodologies to improve efficiency, reduce cycle times, or enhance quality.
• Records of cross-functional process integration, such as collaboration between design, layout, verification, and product engineering teams.
• Metrics and reports illustrating the performance, reliability, and yield of IP blocks developed under your guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements for a Senior Design Manager role are less about individual contributions and more about demonstrating leadership in process implementation, team management, and successful IP delivery. This section focuses on evidence of managed projects, team leadership, and strategic process improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated range for a Senior Design Manager in Brno, Czech Republic, with 10+ years of experience in semiconductor design and leadership: €70,000 - €110,000 annually.
• This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior engineering management roles in the Czech Republic, considering the specialized nature of analog and NVM design, and the cost of living in Brno. Specific compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical insurance and wellness initiatives.
• Competitive paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and advanced education support.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Brno.
• Employee stock purchase plan or other equity incentives.
• On-site amenities and employee discounts on onsemi products.
• Flexible working arrangements where operationally feasible.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours, with flexibility to accommodate project needs and international team collaboration. Core working hours are expected during European business days, with potential for adjusted schedules to overlap with global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate for Brno, Czech Republic. Benefits are typical for a multinational tech company in the semiconductor industry, tailored to attract senior talent. Working hours reflect standard industry practice with an acknowledgment of global collaboration needs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing. onsemi is a key player in automotive and industrial electronics, focusing on intelligent power and sensing technologies that drive megatrends like vehicle electrification, safety, sustainable energy grids, and industrial automation. Company Size: Over 30,000 employees globally. This large size provides stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for broad impact, while also requiring clear communication and structured processes for effective management. Founded: 1999 (as ON Semiconductor). The company has a history of growth and evolution, building a robust portfolio of innovative technologies and a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Design Manager will likely lead a team of experienced analog and mixed-signal engineers, possibly specializing in memory IP.
• This team will report into a higher-level engineering director or vice president overseeing analog design or IP development.
• Collaboration is expected with other engineering departments (verification, layout, product engineering, technology development), as well as cross-functional teams in marketing, sales, and program management.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using performance metrics, simulation results, and market data to guide design choices and strategic planning.
• Agile/Iterative Development: Application of iterative design and verification cycles to manage complexity and deliver high-quality IP efficiently.
• Process Excellence: Focus on refining and adhering to robust design, verification, and product engineering processes to ensure reliability and manufacturability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and communication across different engineering disciplines and business units to achieve shared goals.

Company Website: https://www.onsemi.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Contextualized onsemi's industry, size, and founding to highlight implications for operations professionals. The team structure and methodology sections are inferred based on typical large semiconductor company operations and the nature of the Senior Design Manager role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management. This role represents a significant step in technical leadership, managing a key engineering function with direct impact on product development and company strategy. It requires a blend of deep technical expertise and advanced people and project management skills. Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager will typically report to an Engineering Director or Vice President within the analog design or IP development organization. They will manage a team of engineers and potentially lead other junior managers or team leads. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on onsemi's ability to deliver cutting-edge semiconductor products by ensuring the successful development of critical analog and mixed-signal IP. High-quality, efficient IP blocks are foundational to competitive product offerings, influencing market share, revenue, and technological leadership, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced analog design techniques, NVM architectures, or emerging semiconductor technologies.
• Broader Leadership: Transition into higher levels of engineering management, such as Director or VP of Engineering, overseeing larger teams or multiple disciplines.
• Strategic Roles: Move into roles focused on technology strategy, R&D planning, or business unit leadership within onsemi.
• Cross-Functional Development: Gain experience in product management, program management, or customer-facing technical roles.
• Mentorship and Training: Develop leadership skills through formal training programs and by mentoring junior engineers and future leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and impact specific to a Senior Design Manager in a large semiconductor firm, highlighting the transition from individual contributor to strategic leader.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at onsemi's facilities in Brno, Czech Republic. This implies a professional office environment designed for collaboration, innovation, and focused work. Office Location(s): Brno, Czech Republic. This location is a significant hub for technology and engineering in Central Europe, offering access to a skilled talent pool and a vibrant business ecosystem. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, design review areas, and common spaces designed to foster teamwork and knowledge sharing among engineering teams.
• Advanced Tools & Technology: Equipped with state-of-the-art EDA tools, high-performance computing clusters for simulations, and robust IT infrastructure to support complex design and verification tasks.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular direct interaction with team members, peers, and senior management, facilitating quick decision-making and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is 40 hours, the environment often necessitates flexibility to meet project deadlines, conduct international calls with global teams, and respond to urgent technical issues. A professional atmosphere that balances productivity with employee well-being is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section details the on-site work environment in Brno, emphasizing the collaborative and technically advanced nature of a semiconductor R&D facility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and onsemi.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on leadership experience, technical background in analog/mixed-signal design, and management philosophy. Expect questions about team leadership, project execution, and problem-solving approaches.
• Technical Panel Interview: Interviews with senior engineers, peers, or technical leads to assess depth of knowledge in analog design, NVM (if applicable), mixed-signal IP, and design methodologies. This may involve discussing specific technical challenges and solutions from past projects.
• Cross-Functional Interview: Meeting with stakeholders from related departments (e.g., verification, product engineering, marketing) to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of the broader product development lifecycle.
• Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with a director or VP level executive to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and alignment with onsemi's company culture and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership Impact: Showcase projects where you led teams to achieve significant technical or business outcomes. Quantify achievements with metrics (e.g., performance improvements, cost reductions, time-to-market acceleration).
• Highlight NVM/Memory Expertise: If applicable, dedicate specific examples to your experience with NVM or embedded memory architectures, detailing the technical challenges and your team's innovative solutions.
• Demonstrate Process Ownership: Present examples of how you've implemented or improved design, verification, or team management processes. Show documentation of methodologies you've championed.
• Prepare Case Studies: Be ready to walk through 1-2 detailed case studies of complex IP development projects, covering the project scope, your team's role, technical hurdles, solutions, and final results.
• Showcase Team Development: Discuss your approach to mentoring, team building, and performance management. Provide examples of how you've developed talent within your teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses for common leadership and problem-solving questions.
• Technical Scenarios: Be ready to discuss hypothetical technical challenges related to analog design, mixed-signal integration, or memory IP, and how you would approach solving them with your team.
• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your vision for analog/memory IP development at onsemi, how you would align with company goals, and how you would foster innovation.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research onsemi's products, markets (automotive, industrial), recent news, and company values to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides detailed, actionable advice for navigating the interview process and preparing a compelling portfolio for a Senior Design Manager role in the semiconductor industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• EDA Suites: Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys Custom Compiler, Mentor Graphics Pyxis/Calibre for schematic capture, simulation, layout, and physical verification.
• Simulation Tools: SPICE simulators (e.g., Spectre, HSPICE, Eldo), mixed-signal simulators (e.g., Verilog-A/AMS, SystemVerilog).
• Layout Tools: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite, Synopsys IC Compiler/Galaxy Custom Designer for physical layout and implementation.
• Verification Tools: Tools for mixed-signal verification, potentially including Verilog-AMS, SystemVerilog, and formal verification methods.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: MATLAB, Python (with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, SciPy) for data analysis, scripting, and automation of design tasks.
• Performance Tracking: Internal dashboards and tools for monitoring project progress, team performance, and IP quality metrics.
• Reporting Software: Standard office suites (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) for creating presentations and reports.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, or internal PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems for tracking project tasks, schedules, and deliverables.
• Version Control: Git, Perforce for managing design files and code repositories.
• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack for team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This outlines a typical technology stack for analog and mixed-signal design management in the semiconductor industry, including specific EDA tools and related software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Fostering an environment where creative solutions to complex analog and memory design challenges are encouraged and rewarded.
• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and high-performance IP that meets stringent industry standards, particularly for automotive and industrial applications.
• Collaboration: Promoting a culture of teamwork and open communication across design, verification, layout, and product engineering disciplines to achieve common objectives.
• Accountability: Ensuring team members take ownership of their work, deliver on commitments, and contribute to the overall success of projects and the company.
• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of work, from design practices to team interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Encouraging tight integration and frequent communication between analog design, verification, layout, and product engineering teams to ensure seamless IP development and integration.
• Proactive Problem Solving: Fostering a culture where potential issues are identified and addressed early through rigorous reviews and open dialogue.
• Knowledge Sharing: Implementing mechanisms for sharing best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across the team and wider engineering organization.
• Constructive Feedback: Promoting an environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of both individuals and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers onsemi's likely operational values and collaboration styles based on its industry, focus areas, and the nature of a senior management role in semiconductor design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in semiconductor technology nodes and evolving market demands for higher performance and lower power consumption.
• Complexity of Mixed-Signal IP: Managing the intricate interactions between analog and digital components in complex IP blocks, requiring deep domain expertise.
• Talent Acquisition and Retention: Attracting and retaining top-tier analog design and memory architecture talent in a competitive global market.
• Global Team Coordination: Effectively managing and aligning teams that may be distributed across different geographies and time zones.
• Driving Innovation: Balancing the need for predictable, high-quality IP delivery with the imperative to innovate and develop next-generation technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technology Training: Access to specialized training on new process technologies, advanced analog design techniques, and emerging memory architectures.
• Leadership Development Programs: Formal training and coaching opportunities to enhance management, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Industry Conferences and Forums: Opportunities to attend and present at leading semiconductor industry conferences (e.g., ISSCC, VLSI Symposium, CICC) to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.
• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders within onsemi for guidance and career development advice.
• Exposure to New Markets: Gaining experience in onsemi's key growth areas like automotive ADAS, electrification, and industrial IoT.

📝 Enhancement Note: This highlights potential challenges and growth avenues for a Senior Design Manager in the semiconductor industry, offering a realistic outlook on the role's demands and rewards.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a team through a significant technical challenge in analog or mixed-signal design. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, problem-solving, and project success).
• "How would you approach developing an IP roadmap for analog/memory blocks that aligns with onsemi's strategic goals in automotive and industrial markets?" (Assess strategic thinking, market awareness, and planning capabilities).
• "What are your key strategies for ensuring high-quality IP delivery under tight deadlines, especially when dealing with complex mixed-signal designs?" (Evaluate process management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance).
• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within an engineering team?" (Probe your leadership style and ability to drive technical advancement).
• "Discuss your experience with Non-Volatile Memory or embedded memory architectures. What are the critical design considerations and challenges?" (Assess technical depth in the preferred specialization).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about onsemi and this Senior Design Manager role?" (Demonstrate research and genuine interest).
• "How would you ensure effective collaboration between your design team and other departments like verification, layout, and product engineering?" (Showcase understanding of cross-functional dynamics).
• "How do you handle underperformance within your team?" (Evaluate your people management and coaching skills).
• "What are your thoughts on the future trends in analog and mixed-signal design for automotive and industrial applications?" (Show awareness of industry direction).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each key project in your portfolio, clearly outline the Project Goal, Your Role/Team's Responsibility, Technical Challenges, Solutions Implemented, Key Results/Metrics, and Lessons Learned.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., "achieved 15% improvement in power efficiency," "reduced design cycle time by 4 weeks," "met all performance targets for automotive qualification").
• Highlight Leadership: When discussing projects, emphasize your role as a leader – how you guided the team, made decisions, resolved conflicts, and enabled success.
• Tailor to NVM/Memory: If you have NVM/memory experience, ensure these projects are prominently featured and clearly explained, detailing your specific contributions and leadership in this area.
• Showcase Process Improvement: If your portfolio includes examples of process optimization or new methodology implementation, present them clearly, explaining the problem, your solution, and the resulting benefits.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable interview questions and portfolio presentation strategies tailored to a Senior Design Manager role in semiconductor IP development, emphasizing leadership and technical depth.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight leadership experience in analog and mixed-signal design, specifically mentioning any experience with Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) or embedded memory architectures. Quantify achievements with metrics related to project delivery, team management, and technical innovation.
• Portfolio Preparation: Compile examples of complex IP blocks you have managed, detailed case studies of successful projects, and documentation of design/verification processes you have implemented or improved. Ensure your leadership contributions and team management successes are evident.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy, technical expertise in analog/mixed-signal design, and experience with NVM. Practice answering behavioral questions using the STAR method and research onsemi's focus areas in automotive and industrial markets.
• Company Research: Thoroughly understand onsemi's mission, product portfolio, and recent developments, particularly concerning their intelligent power and sensing technologies. Identify how your leadership and technical expertise align with their strategic objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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