CML Micro
CML Micro is a world leader in the design, development and supply of mixed signal, RF, and microwave semiconductors for global communications markets.
Our Scholarships
Placement Location
Cambridge, Langford (Essex) or Shepton Mallet (dependent on team)
Type of Placements Offered
• Summer placements only
Restrictions/Notes
(1) Interest in compound semi, semiconductor design, RF/mmWave engineering, python/C programming; (2) Basic experience in CAD tools would be beneficial but not essential; (3) Candidates must specify which role they are interested in
Who we are and what we do
CML Micro is a world leader in the design, development and supply of mixed signal, RF, and microwave semiconductors for global communications markets. Headquartered in the UK and with a world-class design team in RF and low-power ICs, we have a global supply operation with offices in the US and Singapore. We offer a wide range of products, including mmWave MMICs, RF transceivers, baseband processors, data controllers, and interface devices, which are used in various applications such as Critical Communications, Satellite and Network Infrastructure.
At CML Micro, we take immense pride in our unwavering commitment to meeting customer requirements for over 50 years, and we remain dedicated to working with our customers to being their chosen design partner in the future. Our enduring success is built on a foundation of customer-centricity, continuous innovation, and unwavering quality standards.
As we embark on the next era of technological advancements, we will continue to collaborate closely with our customers, understand their needs, and deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive their success for many more years to come.
CML Vision – The first-choice semiconductor partner to technology innovators, together transforming how the world communicates.
CML Values – Trust, Respect, Commitment and Creativity.
CML Guiding Principles – Strong business ethics; culture of quality with a sense of urgency; live and breathe the customer experience; a passion for excellence; inspire our people to innovate.
What you could be doing during your work placement
During your Summer Placement at CML Micro you would perform a wide range of support activities alongside a member of the CML engineering team, this can be a diverse range of activities involved with MMIC and IC development. This can range from design, verification, validation, chip/PCB layout and test automation. Tasks will likely be based on active product developments at the time of the placement with possible exposure to all elements of a product lifecycle.
Placements will be offered in the following teams:
CSD (Compound Semiconductor Design) Team based in Cambridge office.
- Compound Semiconductors, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN), have unique properties which enable high RF frequency, low noise and high-power performance to surpass Silicon based circuits.
- The Compound Semiconductor Design (CSD) team activities focus on front-end applications using these GaAs and GaN based technologies. From complex power amplifier architectures to low noise and wideband functionality, the team delivers bespoke Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) designs into the CML Micro portfolio.
- Using state-of-the-art processes across the globe, CSD provides a full custom chip design service for external customers, who realise the benefit afforded by a custom chip solution. In addition, the CSD team offer external module level designs, using both in-house third-party semiconductor components to deliver unique solutions to customer problems.
Silicon Design Team based in Langford Essex (head office)
- Ever wondered about the basics of what makes our modern life possible: From the smart-phone in your pocket to the satellites orbiting the Earth? If you are curious about how it all works and how it’s done, consider joining us.
- Working in our Silicon Design Team means starting the process of shaping the invisible threads of communication: designing circuits that can capture faint signals across the air, building systems that process data with incredible precision, and creating solutions that bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds.
- Come and get designing at the transistor level using modern silicon technologies such as RF CMOS and SiGe BiCMOS. Gain knowledge of what it takes to do RF, analogue and digital designs. Perhaps design an amplifier or learn to write an RTL. Maybe learn about FPGA’s. Be introduced to layout engineering and learn about how a silicon chip is built layer upon layer. Be inspired by how electronic engineers verify their designs to ensure devices work well after they are made on real silicon in a factory. You’ll be encouraged to ask bold questions, to experiment, to fail and try again, and to find joy in solving problems that once seemed impossible.
Systems Engineering Team based in Shepton Mallet office
- Join a hands-on Systems engineering team role where no two projects are the same! You will work across a variety of engineering disciplines, supporting the development, validation and characterisation of RF and microwave products using advanced test equipment, hardware evaluation platforms and automated test solutions.
- Build your technical expertise by analysing real-world measurement data and understanding how validation activities support the product development lifecycle
- Opportunities may include:
- Microcontroller programming, introductory Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and/or embedded system design,
- Working with the RF/Microwave team – getting involved in device validation and verification using various test equipment – spectrum analysers, signal generators and vector network analysers. Development evaluation platforms and Python scripts to control test equipment to provide quality test data,
- Develop skills to understand and interpret data, further evolving the learning behind how this validation role is the basis of component datasheet evolution and development supporting our component portfolio,
- Application development using Qt and PySide,
- PCB design & development
- All opportunities will provide broad exposure to modern electronics and software engineering practices, whilst working on active new product developments
Meet one of our Scholars
Name: Kirsty
Sponsor: CML Micro
University: Imperial College London
Degree Course: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Why did you choose CML Micro?
Before applying, I did not know much about CML Micro beyond the research I carried out during the application process but I recognised a connection between the company’s work and the communications module I was studying in my second year, which made me keen to learn more about the analogue and digital design processes involved. I liked the idea of seeing how the theory I had learnt could be applied to real products and gaining experience of the silicon design process from experienced engineers.
This was my first time applying for an engineering-related job, so I was fairly anxious before the interview. However, it was much more relaxed than I expected. The interviewers seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me, the projects I had completed at university and how I approached problems. I never felt as though I was expected to know the answer to everything, which made the process feel very welcoming overall.
What was the first week of your placement like?
My first week was mainly about settling in and becoming familiar with the project that the rest of the team was already working on. I completed the usual induction activities, including health and safety meetings, and was given a tour of the office. I was in the office every weekday, which helped me get to know the team and become comfortable in a new working environment quite quickly.
A large part of the week was spent reading through the project specification and getting used to the tools, code and terminology used by the team. There was a lot of new information to take in at first, but having time to understand the wider project before beginning my own tasks was very useful.
After the first month of your placement, what had you experienced?
I started contributing directly to the project after my first week. Once I was familiar enough with the project specification, I began working on my first verification tasks with support from a member of the digital design team. I mainly worked alongside this engineer, but after the first few weeks I also began attending the team’s weekly meeting. This gave me the chance to hear what everyone else was working on and to share updates on my own work.
The placement also gave me a good experience of the social side of working in an engineering team. Every Tuesday I had lunch with the team at a local pub, and in July I attended the company summer barbecue, where I had the chance to meet other UKESF interns working at CML Micro’s other offices. By the end of the first month I felt much more comfortable with both the technical work and being part of the team.
By the end of your placement, what were the key things you learned?
By the end of my placement, I had contributed to the verification of a mixed-signal communications IC, developing and extending SystemVerilog tests for areas including I²C behaviour, PLL control and calibration, interrupt handling and power-up timing. I also developed reusable verification tasks so that similar checks could be applied across different parts of the design. Working across this wide range of verification tasks greatly improved my understanding of the project specification and strengthened my skills in writing tests and investigating unexpected behaviour.
Technically, my SystemVerilog fluency improved significantly, and I became much more confident using professional simulation and verification software. Professionally, I became much more independent when solving problems. The team was always busy, so I learnt to persevere and investigate problems myself when I became stuck, while also recognising when I had reached a dead end and needed to ask for help. The engineers always made time to support me when I needed it. I also became more confident discussing my work in team meetings, asking questions and explaining what I had been working on.
What advice would you give to future UKESF Scholars joining CML Micro?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t worry if you feel confused at the beginning. When I joined the team midway through a project, it initially felt like an ocean of information to take in such as the specification, the existing code, unfamiliar tools and lots of new terminology but no one expects you to understand everything immediately.
Try to work through problems yourself and be persistent but ask for help when you need it. As the placement progresses, things that seemed unfamiliar in the first few days gradually start to make sense. By the end, I was surprised by how much of the project I’d become comfortable with.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I love both listening to and playing music. I also enjoy reading and bouldering, as well as creative projects such as knitting, painting and other arts and crafts.
And another
Name: Callum
Sponsor: CML Micro
University: Cardiff University
Degree Course: BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Why did you choose CML Micro?
I first found out about CML Micro while looking at the companies listed on the UKESF website. At the time, I had just finished my second year and particularly enjoyed the introductory RF engineering modules I had taken. The CSD team at CML Micro seemed like a great opportunity to further my knowledge in this area and learn how to apply it practically. I was also excited that the placement would involve tasks directly linked to active product developments, which I hoped would allow me to work closely with the engineering team and learn from their expertise.
The interview process had two rounds – an initial interview over Teams and an in-person technical interview at the CSD office. Before my first interview, I mainly researched the company by looking at their website, specifically their case studies, to get a better idea of the sort of designs they work on. I was very nervous before (and during!) the interview, but my interviewers were very understanding of this and were happy to rephrase questions and prompt me in the right direction.
What was the first week of your placement like?
Before my first day, I was very stressed! Despite meeting the team during the interview process, I had never worked in industry before and was worried I’d become overwhelmed by the differences to university study. However, after the first few minutes, I was completely fine. After some quick introductions with the CSD team, I sat down with the department head and my two supervisors for an introductory meeting, where they went over the projects they were interested in having me work on. I spent the rest of the week getting into the flow of these projects, as well as typical induction activities covering health and safety, HR and IT.
After the first month of your placement, what had you experienced?
After the first month of my placement, I had fully settled into the dynamics of the office and the workflow of my projects. While I wasn’t perfect, I had also become much more confident with the software I was using, as well as the format of my weekly design reviews. I primarily worked alongside my two supervisors, but increasingly sought help from with other members of the team as the placement progressed.
I was also able to attend several company get-togethers, including a monthly work lunch at some local pubs, as well as a barbecue at the headquarters in Langford. Here, I was able to meet other UKESF interns who were based in different departments/offices.
By the end of your placement, what were the key things you learned?
By the end of my placement, I had helped kickstart the integration of Python automation within the department’s Keysight ADS workflow, as well as investigating its scope to create EM surrogate models using neural networks. I also developed a preliminary design for a 5 – 6 GHz IPD matched power amplifier.
On the technical side, I massively increased my confidence with EDA software (specifically Keysight ADS) as well as Python programming. Additionally, I learned a lot about the processes involved in real engineering within a team environment, such as preparing for regular design reviews and creating documentation for my projects so that they could continue to be worked on after the end of my placement.
What advice would you give to future UKESF Scholars joining CML Micro?
Ask all the questions – especially the silly ones! It is the best way to learn new things and become more familiar with your sponsor company. Asking good questions is also a valuable skill to have as an engineer. Getting clarification on project requirements from a client, or seeking advice/feedback from more experienced colleagues, are things you will need to do throughout your engineering career, not just during your placement.
What are you interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to make electronic music, restore old technology and watch horror films (Saw II is my favourite!)