Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Design Engineer
A design engineer designs and creates products using engineering principles. They often work with other types of engineers, such as mechanical or electrical engineers, to help develop new products and improve existing ones. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Design Engineers.
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Main Responsibilities of Design Engineer
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Design Engineer:
Advise
Advise a team of multidisciplinary engineers and / or provide advice and / or direction.
Analyze
Analyze equipment energy use for optimizing systems selection.
Analyze order content and customer specifications to ensure product and customer satisfaction.
Analyze the effects of non-idealities on circuit performance.
Analyze trade-offs between performance and implementation complexity.
Answer
Answer technical questions and troubleshoot problems in the field for the Distributors.
Approve
Approve design calculations in accordance with the QA manual.
Assist in
Assist in creating and maintaining wiring diagrams for flight test equipment and systems.
Assist in FPGA and digital electronics designs for new products and product updates.
Assist in project meetings, estimating, research and development as requested.
Assist in the development of assignments and schedules.
Assist the Director of Business Development to grow the Rail & Transit businesses at MH.
Assist with synthesis and timing closure.
Assist with the preparation of Proposals for future projects.
Assure
Assure component or system level performance, compliance to relevant standards.
Author
Author temporary engineering to resolve build issues in a timely manner.
Build
Build and test prototypes and carry through to production units.
Build automation and compliance by design using Cloud Native technologies.
Build, manage, and maintain the Allegro PWB footprints.
Build physical layout for mixed-signal functions like PLL's, high speed.
Build system hardware products around GPU & Tegra chips.
Calculate
Calculate and provide IP block area bloat for each milestone.
Capture
Capture, define, validate and verify design requirements.
Carry out
Carry out engineering analysis for new and existing designs.
Characterize
Characterize RF performance, elaborate test methods and publish characterization reports.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with design team members locally and remotely to accomplish design objectives.
Collaborate with Engineers from different disciplines to enable system wide integration.
Collaborate with IP providers where necessary.
Collaborate with key partners and customers to deliver a Linux stack optimized for AMD EPYC.
Collaborate with other engineers to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
Collaborate with peer teams to analyze behaviors and resolve issues.
Collaborate with the team to develop performance / power model and testing vectors.
Collaborate with the block verification team on the block test plan.
Collect
Collect / summarize data or simulation results for consumption by architects and design teams.
Communicate
Communicate with the public, private contractors, consultants and staff across the city department.
Conduct
Conduct analysis to adjust or reinforce our methodologies.
Conduct / create Stack-up analysis, DVP&R's, DFMEA, and Cpk / Ppk / Gage R&R..
Conduct design reviews and offer mentorship and guidance to less experienced team members.
Conduct interference checks and perform quality control procedures on AutoCAD drawings.
Conduct on-site solar PV system commissioning and troubleshooting.
Conduct rapid feasibility studies to design for optimal mechanical robustness, schedule, and cost.
Conduct research and create design concepts / proposals for projects.
Conduct site inspections from time-to-time and perform other duties as required.
Conduct specialized technical studies, lead internal research and development efforts.
Configure
Configure, integrate, and test of 3rd party embedded microprocessors into AMD subsystems.
Contribute to
Contribute to a global team that will execute to a high standard of quality.
Contribute to multiple projects, involving single components or subsystems.
Contribute to the development of processes and methodology.
Contribute to the development or improvement of processes.
Contribute towards Company design procedures and corporate policies.
Contribute towards streamlining functional processes and help minimize resource inefficiency.
Convert
Convert requirements for modules or small FPGAs into hardware description document.
Cooperate
Cooperate with product management to identify circuit requirements and specifications.
Coordinate
Coordinate and mentor junior staff working within the division.
Coordinate the validation / correlation between final measured results and original simulations.
Correlate
Correlate and tune model with pre- and post-silicon design.
Co-work with
Co-work with SI / EMC engineers for signal quality and EMC issue.
Co-work with the architect to define module architecture / micro-architecture.
Create
Create a SOW for proposed system.
Create AV schematics of proposed system (VISIO / AutoCAD).
Create detail and assembly drawings for assemblies.
Create / modify Bills of Materials.
Create network diagrams and documentation of the network environments.
Create operation manual and instructions if necessary.
Create or review all quotes for products to be manufactured.
Create, reuse and debug test cases and testbench components for verification of the design.
Create schematic and PCB layout guidelines.
Create simulation and verification environment, test benches, validate designs.
Create solution designs based on RFP requirements, if design not supplied with the RFP.
Create test cases according to the test plan.
Create well written block level design documentation.
Debug
Debug and troubleshoot and resolve system-level issues that may occur in test environments.
Debug complex logic simulations.
Debug electrical and functional issues for memory domain.
Debug functional and performance bugs, pre-Si and post-Si.
Debug function and performance bugs of graphics IP.
Debug function / performance bug of verification tests.
Debug function / performance of Graphics, Display, SMU IPs.
Debug test failures to determine the root cause.
Define
Define and manage project deliverables to deadlines.
Define and monitor access.
Define manufacturing methods and materials for vehicle components.
Define production test requirements and provide manufacturing support as necessary.
Define, simulate, and model various key IC performance parameters.
Delegate
Delegate design and production tasks to junior staff, as required.
Deliver
Deliver high quality designs that are fully coordianted, free of errors, and on time.
Deliver high quality designs that are fully coordinated, free of errors, and on time.
Deliver required results with high levels of customer satisfaction, both internal and external.
Deploy
Deploy solutions with focus on improving company efficiency and design quality.
Design
Design active microwave circuits such as amplifiers and oscillators.
Design analysis (applying first principles, if required) and design review of process systems.
Design and collaborate with other disciplines to create a construction document set.
Design and detail parts and assemblies.
Design and implement ISP pipeline and blocks based on IP architecture and algorithm specification.
Design and implement microcode for AMD's x86 next-generation microprocessors.
Design and implement testbenches in Verilog and C / C++.
Design best-in-class SRAM circuits using state-of-the-art technology processes.
Design engineer for RTL implementation of GFX shader blocks features.
Design high volume & high cosmetic plastic and metal parts.
Design JTAG tests for our products.
Design mmWave analog transceiver functional blocks such as PA, LNA, Mixers, filters, oscillators.
Design new GPU algorithms to improve performance per area for rendering and compute workloads.
Design protocols, methods and ethics application for clinical data collection.
Design schematic drawings for electronics and alternative engineer systems.
Design studies to investigate specific life science questions within field of expertise.
Design standard or custom digital logic and sequential cells or macros at the transistor level.
Determine
Determine battery and charging system requirements for DC electrical system.
Determine methods and procedures on new assignments.
Develop
Develop a comprehensive software description.
Develop, adapt, and verify IP performance tests.
Develop advanced power management IC design and packaging techniques from concept to mass production.
Develop advanced tool and flow features to improve PPA (power, performance, area).
Develop and analyze assertions and coverage terms.
Develop and evaluate novel and realistic ideas to grow Intellectual Property.
Develop and execute pre-silicon verification test plans.
Develop and execute subsystem tests using FW / HW co-verification methodology.
Develop and maintain PCB CAD footprint / decal library following Ciena standards.
Develop and optimize system perf including HW / FW / BIOS / Driver / OS / App / Compiler settings.
Develop and Perform timing characterization and circuit verification.
Develop and support design for DFT structures.
Develop and test various breakout boxes and digital / analog sensor emulation systems.
Develop automation script to improve the work efficiency.
Develop conceptual and manufacturing 2d system structural, outfitting drawings, etc..
Develop cover points and perform coverage analysis.
Develop detailed layout to check machine tolerance and ensure clearances.
Develop electronic and electro mechanical devices for engines and vehicles in the automotive markets.
Develop EV charging project options appropriate to the site.
Develop high-performance functional models for AMD SoCs and IPs.
Develop new products taking advantage of existing core competencies.
Develop or adapt, and verify IP performance tests.
Develop or adapt test libraries, emulation models, and test cases from existing IP.
Develop PCB layer stackup.
Develop, plan and execute post-silicon characterization test plans, methodologies and tools.
Develop plan, elevation and profile drawings.
Develop power simulation flow for power reporting and trouble shooting.
Develop project budgets at various stages of design.
Develop proprietary SoC validation boards, including system specification and design.
Develop, review and approve product documentation.
Develop, simulate and debug directed and random stimulus and assembly level tests.
Develop state-of-art physical design power optimization methodology.
Develop structural details and construction plans using MicroStation or AutoCAD.
Develop system decision matrices for review by owner, architect, and design team.
Develop test plans for design validation.
Develop UVM / C++ test bench on both block level and system level for test.
Develop validation strategies, pioneer hardware / software validation improvements.
Develop well designed and qualified display features.
Document
Document design with schematic drawings as well as supporting design documentation.
Draw
Draw components using software.
Drive
Drive innovation to optimize the designs.
Drive technical and resource tradeoffs between parties to achieve goals.
Employ
Employ 3D CFD for aero performance simulations and aerodynamics optimization.
Enforce
Enforce the Project BIM standards for all disciplines and put in place suitable QAQC governance.
Engage in
Engage in Continuous improvement ensuring higher quality, productivity and punctual delivery.
Engage with the other internal management teams.
Ensure
Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with the Company's Conduct of Engineering Program.
Ensure that safety is a key consideration during development of new programs and processes.
Ensure that the required protective equipment is used for the assigned tasks.
Evaluate
Evaluate and drive functional and coverage quality.
Evaluate antennas and equipment for performance and future growth.
Evaluate coverage problems and requirements for coverage and capacity cells.
Evaluate datasheets to select appropriate components and outline firmware requirements.
Evaluate new emerging sensor technologies.
Execute
Execute DVT analysis and present results to the internal and / or external customer.
Explore
Explore & demonstrate new forms of user experience and content creation.
Formulate
Formulate initial design approach and defend proposed designs in a design review process.
Gather
Gather creative and talented technical staff and form a team for achievement of targets.
Generate
Generate RF electrical line-ups, performs electrical budgets and detailed analysis.
Guide
Guide and review design spec.
Guide the successful completion of major programs and may function in a project leadership role.
Help
Help CE team to debug the power and performance issue from customer.
Help debug prototypes and perform lab experiments in order to achieve production-worthy products.
Help implement new scripts to automate firmware process.
Help PD on the floorplanning and close timing.
Help resolve complaints / troubleshoot where necessary.
Hold
Hold design reviews, stress analysis, assembly tolerances, testing and problem correction CLCA.
Identify
Identify documents and estimates (costs / revenue) opportunities for add-on services.
Identify new services opportunities and ensures they are properly followed up to ensure closure.
Identify product and documentation deficiencies and makes suggestions for improvement.
Identify, report, and isolate failures found in Validation.
Impact
Impact the technical direction of the company.
Implement
Implement and optimize our broad portfolio of RISC-V CPU's from RTL to GDSII.
Implement directed and random test cases in C++ / SV, as well as checkers and assertions.
Implement the design in Verilog or System Verilog, ensuring adherence to our RTL coding guidelines.
Improve
Improve efficiencies by generating automation commodities.
Improve existing infrastructure.
Initiate
Initiate changes to improve productivity & efficiency in conjunction with other LOBs.
Initiate orders to drive testing of new network interconnections.
Initiate process improvements for internal and external clients.
Innovate
Innovate new power conversion techniques.
Integrate
Integrate AMD internal IPs RTL / DV environments into SoC.
Integrate cutting edge controls technology into products.
Integrate new P&R tools, P&R tool updates, and ASIC or FPGA design libraries into.
Interact with
Interact with the PEO team to understand the test requirement and plan for smooth silicon bringup.
Interact with cross functional teams and SOC to align schedule.
Interface with
Interface activity with engineering peers at the customer, supply base, and across all functions.
Interface closely with HW / FW design teams.
Interface with architecture, design and production teams.
Interface with IT Teams to deploy new hardware and resolve issues with existing infrastructure.
Interface with manufacturers to ensure part manufacturability.
Interface with the propulsion, systems, design and manufacturing groups for system layouts.
Investigate
Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
Investigate representative workloads from top trend and upcoming games / benchmarks.
Keep
Keep documentation up to date.
Layout
Layout and verification of photonic devices using commercial photonic design tools.
Layout design and implementation following best practices from the industry.
Lead
Lead a mixed-signal ASIC design team in defining and executing ASIC projects, including.
Lead a team in the design and development of data center critical infrastructure systems.
Lead code reviews and administer portions of the codebase.
Lead complex electrical design projects.
Lead design, test and certification of Electromechanical Devices.
Lead layout of mixed signal, high-speed, and RF multi-layer HDI circuit boards.
Lead micro-architecture and design efforts based on high-level architectural requirements.
Lead the design and implementation of a company-wide Event Hub with Kafka.
Lead the technical design decision process.
Liaise with
Liaise with clients, agencies and others to obtain and determine project requirements and approvals.
Liaise with other engineering disciplines, and staff responsible for design coordination.
Liaise with subcontractors, vendors and suppliers.
Maintain
Maintain and enhance existing functional verification methodology.
Maintain and improve existing functional verification infrastructure and methodology.
Maintain and Interface with existing random generators, models and APIs.
Maintain a required schedule that often has late-addition requirements or changes in priority.
Maintain BIM / Revit files.
Maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information or documents. (.
Maintain design environment, solve flow issues, and develop scripts to improve flow efficiency.
Maintain the layouts per requests from circuit designers or other internal customers.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant engineering, and AI trends.
Make
Make architectural trade-offs based on features, performance requirements and system limitations.
Manage
Manage and deliver technical training of client staff.
Manage BIM / Revit drafting and design operations.
Manage, lead, and perform design efforts on land development projects.
Manage own workload, help & assist with technical development of junior staff.
Mentor
Mentor Junior engineers to complete their tasks.
Mentor junior staff with technical and professional development.
Mentor team and create strong design team - inclulcate best design techiniques / practices.
Optimize
Optimize 3D models for our 3D printing-based production process.
Optimize PC use cases in terms of absolute power and also in relative performance per watt.
Optimize technical costs for implementation of solutions globally via best fit cloud usage.
Optimize the design to meet power, performance, area and timing requirements.
Optimize the test patterns to improve the test quality and reduce test costs.
Orient
Orient operating practices to guarantee continuity of services.
Originate
Originate and support design change orders per engineering instructions per teams SOPs.
Originate novel concepts and technologies for our next generation of products.
Oversee
Oversee and participate in test case execution.
Oversee progression and budgetary expenditures of capital projects.
Oversee Synthesis and netlist delivery that meets timing, area and power bounding box.
Own
Own overall Client Validation test methodology.
Participate in
Participate in client meetings in order to help sell ITW products and solutions.
Participate in code reviews and administer portions of the codebase.
Participate in development of leading-edge display technologies.
Participate in image sensor tuning methodology development.
Participate in methodology development to increase verification efficiency and effectiveness.
Participate in product documentation creation.
Participate in project pursuit efforts.
Participate in security engineering to ensure compliance by design.
Participate in teams to develop user requirements.
Participate in technical reviews of the specifications, design and test plans.
Participate in technical support for LDA products.
Perform
Perform additional duties as required.
Perform design activities within cost targets and timeline objectives.
Perform design reviews of projects for accuracy, coordination, and constructability.
Perform electrical analysis, equipment protection, cable and electrical equipment selection.
Perform final electrical design verification tests.
Perform Functional Verification for new features based on new project requirements.
Perform other related duties and tasks, as required.
Perform other related duties as required.
Perform project definition, training and documentation.
Perform research and problem solving on technological issues and design features.
Perform signal integrity analysis.
Perform structural and thermal FEA on Lidar packages.
Perform the required calculations for network layout and traffic analysis.
Plan
Plan project resources, maintaining schedules and budget.
Prepare
Prepare draft designs by refining design solutions and clear with responsible parties.
Prepare necessary component / assembly drawings.
Prepare shipping and rigging calculations.
Present
Present and communicate findings to customers at a general or high technical level if required.
Prioritize
Prioritize defect resolution by negotiating cross-organizational team resource allocations.
Produce
Produce detailed specifications of the product from data analysis gathered from testing.
Produce production drawings and specifications.
Propose
Propose innovative solutions for PPA improvements.
Provide
Provide accurate job costs for design build projects in conjunction with the sales team.
Provide designs for new products from concept to production release.
Provide expertise in design, process and integration for advanced technology development.
Provide first level technical leadership in power expertise to work with execution team.
Provide operating procedures and support for others.
Provide over the shoulder support for staff developing models and 2D drawing extractions.
Provide PPA and schedule estimates and tradeoffs.
Provide self-assessment on how to improve their own performance.
Provide support for the manufacturing activity for both the build and electrical testing activities.
Provide technical support to ensure a successful launch of a product.
Provide the technical guidance to customer support team.
Provide tier 3 support and assists with project implementation within the networking environment.
Recommend
Recommend improvements to overall processes and products.
Redesign
Redesign products for special applications or special functions.
Report
Report any accidents / incidents to supervisor.
Report on the daily activities to deliver designs and products on time and on budget.
Report progress and issues to the FPGA / ASIC designer.
Report the results of IC design, analysis and evaluation.
Report writing, maintaining records and archives to company standards.
Resolve
Resolve formality, leda and CDC issue.
Respond to
Respond to problems using cutting edge approaches.
Retrieve
Retrieve the required information from suppliers and System Engineering, conduct JDDPs with them.
Review
Review architecture spec and identify key designs / features suitable for new methodology.
Review customer's specifications and use as a design tool.
Review equipment submittals for accuracy and validate against specifications.
Review of cell sites and design for upgrades / modifications.
Review of roadway geometrics and signal timing.
Review own work to ensure accuracy (rather than depend on peer review).
Review shop drawings for tendered equipment.
Review vendor capability to support product development.
Revise
Revise existing products and prepare engineering drawings as required.
Run
Run and collect benchmarks data with accuracy through AMD automation tools.
Run channel simulations to generate performance numbers.
Run front-end integration flow (synthesis, LINT, DFT, etc.) , deliver netlists with good quality.
Scan
Scan insertion and ATPG pattern generation.
Scan Insertion, ATPG and Scan simulation.
Scope
Scope requirements and resources to meet demanding project schedules.
Secure
Secure network architectures, including Beyond / Zero Trust frameworks.
Seek
Seek peer review on design and development direction.
Seek technical input and / or additional staff as appropriate.
Select
Select and interact with vendors for high performance and low cost components.
Select and manage third party vendors and suppliers.
Select and recommend components of network & telecom engineering designs.
Set up
Set up and operational Testing and evaluation of engineering hardware in a laboratory environment.
Set up BIM drawing files including digitizing and cleaning up working drawings.
Simulate
Simulate and Debug designs.
Solve
Solve real world problems by identifying and delivering product issue fixes and enhancements.
Solve technical problems with little supervision.
Stay current with
Stay current with developments within your field of expertise.
Study
Study new architecture, write test plan and performance tests for new graphics chips.
Suggest
Suggest and develop efficiencies through proper architecture and usage of flows.
Support
Support and develop in-house board production and validation suite.
Support and interfaces to Platform, Firmware and Software design.
Support Asia debug efforts and triage new observations.
Support current platforms with enhancements and improvements where needed.
Support definition process of ICDs.
Support development of the network device (firewall, router, switch, etc..) configurations.
Support engineering calculations and analysis to satisfy design requirements.
Support for manufacturing and qualification test development.
Support new shock absorber / suspension concepts.
Support production at contract manufacturers by defining stage gate criteria for all NPI builds.
Support production throughout the manufacturing process to realize your designs.
Support R&D to determine scope and parameters.
Support relevant audit activities.
Support silicon validation and debugging.
Support the authoring of project plan documents.
Support the New Product Development Department.
Support transition to production.
Support verification team in debug of the ASIC through out various stages of the project.
Synthesize
Synthesize, place and route the design.
Take
Take ownership of some key features.
Test
Test board design, procurement & board evaluations.
Test chip, test vehicle design support.
Test plan development and execution for complex digital designs.
Track
Track and publish team performance KPIs.
Track and report prototyping and other costs / payables.
Track & Report on NPI Issues & managing NPI Issue Resolution.
Train
Train customers on debug tools.
Train and coaches others.
Understand
Understand and improve existing and emerging graphics / compute paradigms and new APIs.
Understand and use supplier design & manufacturing data to aid in the development of the design.
Understand system and subsystem requirements.
Understand the architecture of the Display IP and functional blocks being designed.
Understand the design spec from architecture perspective.
Update
Update FMEA with results of each validation activity.
Use
Use CAD tools to simulate, test and document new products for engines and vehicles.
Use specialized software Solidworks and AutoCAD to create models and drawings of products.
Utilize
Utilize Agile / Scrum methodologies for software development.
Utilize a model-based design flow to deploy code to CPU, GPU, and / or FPGA targets.
Verify
Verify and validate products and designs by developing test plans, implementing and tracking results.
Verify block / chip level DFX design and features.
Verify calculations and create 3D design models using FEA / CAE software.
Work with
Work with aircraft techs for drawing deviations.
Work with analog circuit design to perform mixed signal simulation.
Work with ASIC design team to debug test failures at IP and chip level.
Work with certification laboratories to ensure products meet their regulatory requirements.
Work with cross-functional project teams to develop new products.
Work with DV folks to define, analyze and debug various functional, performance and power features.
Work with implementation to achieve your timing, area, performance and power goals.
Work within an RCS control design team and assist in the development and training of other personnel.
Work within client's Engineering Change Control process.
Work with lasers and electronics design for precision laser systems.
Work with manufacturing to consider high volume assembly processes in design concepts.
Work with other architects in defining the VPE architecture and design requirements.
Work with product and perception teams to find solutions to solve unique AI image quality challenges.
Work with production to resolve all manufacturing issues.
Work with RTL designers and others to debug the failed tests.
Work with RTL, Verification engineers to ensure proper implementation of algorithms.
Work with software team on development and system bring up.
Work with subsystem architects to understand bottlenecks in low power graphics cores / SoCs.
Work with Synthesis / PD / Verif team to support DFX RTL Design Aspects.
Work with system design and safety teams to understand application use cases.
Work with tool vendors to track bugs, evaluate new tools, help with tool migrations.
Work with vendors to collect feasibility information.
Work with verification engineers to define test plan and functional verification coverage.
Work with verification teams to verify the correctness of implemented features.
Write
Write demo performance case based on algorithm analysis result.
Write detailed board level functional specifications.
Write MAS and implementation plan.
Write performance analysis tools.
Write functionality design specifications.
Write Test specifications.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Design Engineer:
Design
TCL
Physical Design
System Verilog
EE
Computer Architecture
Synthesis
C / C++
Verification
Mechanical Engineering
C++
Ruby
Scripting Languages
UVM
CS
Autocad
Solidworks
Timing Closure
Rtl Design
Asic Design
Pcie
Unix
Simulation
Matlab
Excel
Linux
Physical Verification
Architecture
STA
Static Timing Analysis
Civil Engineering
Bsee
Analog
Timing Analysis
Debugging
Debug
Analysis
Systemverilog
Oscilloscopes
RTL
CPU
Mechanical Design
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Design Engineer:
Written and oral communication skills
Problem-solving attitude
Analytical ability
Interpersonal skills
Attention to detail
Self-starter
Team player
Leadership
Organizational capacity
Independently drive tasks to completion
Teamwork
Presentation
Collaborative
Self-motivated
Creative
Time-management
Organized
Work independently with little direction
Innovative
Detail-oriented
Listening
Flexible
Mentoring
Multi-task
Communications
Highly motivated
Critical thinker
Positive attitude
Innovation
Enthusiastic
