About the role#
The CAD team collaborates with RFIC designers to turn AI-assisted layout ideas into practical engineering tools. You will spend your 4-month term building and evaluating prototypes, such as DRC-clean parameterized layout generators or surrogate models that predict layout results. This role requires careful data preparation, evaluation against existing designs, and the delivery of code that the team can integrate into their workflow.
What you'll do#
- Prototype machine learning and optimization methods for placement, routing, and layout synthesis of RFIC and analog blocks.
- Build layout generators, including parameterized cells (PCells), that follow geometry, topology, and foundry design rules.
- Create surrogate models and design-space-exploration frameworks to help designers compare options without running full verification flows.
- Manage the data pipeline from end to end, including generating datasets, training models, and measuring results.
- Write well-tested software components in Python and C++.
- Test your results on real design problems alongside RFIC designers and CAD engineers, providing clear reports on where AI provides value.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Master’s or PhD program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, EDA/CAD, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- A Python project you have built, such as research code or an open-source contribution, that you can discuss in detail.
- Experience training and evaluating at least one model using PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.
- Coursework or project experience in data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
- A genuine interest in applying AI and machine learning to engineering design automation.
- Bonus points for experience with C++, Cadence Virtuoso, SKILL, PCell development, graph neural networks, reinforcement learning, computational geometry, Git, or Linux.
Location & details#
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Term: Winter 2027 (4 months starting in January 2027).
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time paid internship.
- Compensation: $25.50 - $43.00 per hour.
About Ciena
Ciena operates as a public company in the telecommunications sector. Founded in 1992, the firm builds networking systems, automation software, and interconnects for data transmission. It maintains a global presence with its headquarters in Hanover, Maryland. The company employs over 10,000 people and focuses on high-speed connectivity solutions.
How to get in at Ciena
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