EnSilica
EnSilica has world-class expertise in designing and supplying custom analog, mixed signal and digital IC’s
Our Scholarships
Placement Location
Oxford, Bristol or Sheffield
Type of Placements Offered
• 12-month placements • Summer and 6-month MEng placements also offered (to students doing a 12-month placement before or after)
Restrictions/Notes
(1) Requires 12-month placement. Additional summer or 6-month MEng placements in other years also offered; (2) Requires interest in semiconductor design; (3) Candidates must specify which location/s they are interested in
2024/25 Scholarships
Multiple new scholarships
Who we are and what we do
EnSilica is a leading fabless design house focused on custom ASIC design and supply for OEMs and system houses, and IC design services for companies with their own design teams. The company has world-class expertise in supplying custom analog, mixed signal and digital IC’s to its international customers in the automotive, industrial, healthcare and consumer markets. Our project portfolio ranges from module design to multi-million gate System-on-Chip.
The company also offers a broad portfolio of core IP covering cryptography, Radar and communications systems. EnSilica has a track record in delivering high quality solutions to demanding industry standards.
Our vision
- To be our customers’ preferred ASIC supplier
- Through our flexibility, engineering excellence and quality focus, EnSilica strives to increase our customers’ competitiveness, through the use of custom ASICs
- To create a profitable, value creating company based on the design & supply of digital, analog and mixed signal IC’s
- To be considered a great company by our key stakeholders – customers, suppliers and staff
- To build value over the coming years that will deliver financial benefit to all staff through a stock-option scheme
What you could be doing
Students on summer placement would perform a wide range of supporting activities working directly for a member of our team, reflecting the diverse activities involved in IC development. This work involves activities drawn from design, verification, chip layout, lab prototyping and silicon validation with specific activities selected based on the products in development at the time.
Students joining EnSilica for a 12-month placement would initially work in a supporting role in one of our IC product developments with opportunities to progress beyond a supporting role and perform design/verification/prototyping work as their skills develop.
Meet one of our Scholars
Name: Benita
Sponsor: Ensilica
University: University of Birmingham
Degree Course: MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering
What appeals to you about electronics?
I’ve always been curious about how things work, and since I enjoyed maths and physics, engineering felt like the right fit. I started university doing Mechanical Engineering, but after my first year, I found myself more interested in the electronics modules and I really got into digital electronics and semiconductors. Electronics are central to the modern world, and with technology always advancing, it makes this field both exciting and rewarding to be a part of.
Why I accepted a scholarship with EnSilica
I applied to EnSilica because I was interested in semiconductor design. They were welcoming and excited to have me on board, which made me feel confident about what I could bring to the team. As an established company providing mixed-signal ASICs across various industries, I knew it would offer valuable experience working on real-world projects. Plus, being a smaller company, I had the chance to work closely with experts across different areas, allowing me to pick up a wide range of skills and explore where my strengths and interests really lie.
The type of work you’ve been involved with during your placement
During my placement at EnSilica, I mainly worked with the Design for Test (DFT) team. I got involved in various tasks, from designing FSM-based MBIST to verifying production test patterns for a projects close to tape-out. These experiences sharpened my problem-solving and debugging skills and gave me hands-on experience with industry tools. I also got to explore analogue design, working with different teams to build a tool for characterising flip-flop metastability.
I was also part of the “unofficial” social committee, helping to organise events like the Christmas Party and Go Karting! It was a great way to get more involved with the company and improve my organisation and communication skills.
Something personal about you and your interests:
I enjoy dancing and performing, having trained in Indian classical dance when I was younger. I spend most of my free time binge watching shows, reading books and going on walks.
Meet one of our Engineers
Name: Vasiliki
Job Title: IC Engineer
Why did you choose a career in STEM?
I am lucky to come from a family that encouraged me to pursue a career in STEM as, ever since I was little, I loved maths, physics and computers and was always pulling things apart to try and figure out how they were made. It was no surprise that when it was time to select my university course, Engineering was my first choice. A career in STEM allows me to constantly learn and challenge myself while contributing to real-world advancements.
Your journey into Electronics
I discovered Electronics accidentally when my university offered a common first year for all engineering disciplines. I enjoyed all the mandatory Electronics modules so much that I switched my course to Electronic and Electrical Engineering and discovered the complex and challenging world of Electronics. Shortly after, I was encouraged to apply for a UKESF scholarship which gave me the opportunity to research the industry and understand the different paths that a degree in Electronics could take me, one of them being IC design. Three years later, I have successfully completed a 14-month placement with EnSilica as part of my UKESF scholarship, graduated from University and I am now working full-time as a Graduate IC Design Engineer. I am also actively promoting Electronics as a career path to younger people by visiting schools and participating in careers fairs, and trying to encourage more young women to pursue a STEM-related career.
What attracted you to EnSilica?
As a young female, getting started in the industry can feel intimidating. My colleagues at EnSilica immediately made me feel welcome and offered their full support throughout my placement, as well as during my final year at university and after my return as a graduate. During my placement, I have had the opportunity to join some very interesting and complex projects which significantly increased my skills and confidence and prepared me well for the remainder of my studies and for a career in the chip design industry. Additionally, I value the fact that I was encouraged by my managers to explore various aspects of IC design, such as digital, analogue, software or anything in between, equipping me with a unique combination of skills and knowledge.
What does an average day look like at work?
As an IC Engineer, no two days look the same. Every day is a chance to solve new design challenges and tackle problems that may arise. A typical day in the office starts at 9 am and includes a lot of problem-solving, researching improved design techniques, reading and understanding design specifications, learning to use new tools and exchanging ideas with colleagues. As part of a project team, you might be responsible for designing part of a chip, which usually involves writing the RTL in an HDL language such as SystemVerilog, and performing tests such as Clock Domain Crossing checks and Linting to optimise your design. As part of the design verification team, you will write testbenches and use more in-depth techniques such as UVM and Formal to ensure all the desired design functionalities have been achieved.
When not in work, what do you like to get up to?
Outside work, I try to exercise as much as possible so I often do bouldering, go to dance lessons and spend time underwater scuba diving. I also love travelling and enjoy visiting new places every chance I get.