Design Partnership Manager EuroCDP 

About the role  

Europe is investing heavily in semiconductor innovation, and the EU Chips Design Platform is at the center of that transformation. 

As a Design Partnership Manager, you'll build partnerships with EDA and IP vendors. In particular, you will negotiate general conditions agreements with these vendors, which include favorable conditions and pricings for European startups. In this role, you will also advise startups on selecting the right tools and design infrastructure. Finally, you will also act as the interface to the various Design Enablement Teams (DETs) across Europe. 

What you will do

In this role, you'll combine strong technical design and negotiation skills with partnership management.  

You will: 

• Build strong relationships with EDA and IP vendors worldwide and negotiate good conditions for European startups. 
• Advise startups in their selection of EDA, IP and design infrastructure. 
• Act as an account manager towards the various Design Enablement Teams and drive them to excellence. 
• Promote the platform across the European semiconductor ecosystem. 
• Help shape a thriving European chip design community. 

Why this role is unique 

You'll help build the ecosystem that enables the next generation of European chip companies to succeed. It offers the unique combination of:  

• Direct impact on Europe's semiconductor future. 
• Close interaction with the EDA and design IP ecosystem worldwide. 
• Daily interaction with ambitious deep-tech startups. 
• The opportunity to help build a flagship initiative under the European Chips Act. 
• The reputation, expertise and global reach of imec behind you. 

You'll have the chance to influence how tomorrow's chip companies are created, funded and scaled. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

We're looking for someone who combines technical understanding with a passion for helping innovators succeed, with: 

• A PhD, Master's degree or equivalent experience in microelectronics, electrical engineering, physics or a related field. 
• Strong knowledge of ASIC design and semiconductor development is a must. 
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. 
• A customer-focused mindset and entrepreneurial attitude. 
• Willingness to travel frequently (10 % of your time) mostly in Europe. 
• Excellent English communication skills. 

It’s an asset if you also bring:  

• Experience with multiple chip design flows or EDA tools. 
• An existing network within the European semiconductor ecosystem. 
• Experience working with startups or innovation ecosystems. 

Even if you don't tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you. Your potential and willingness to learn matter just as much as your experience.