Manager, Package Design Engineering

Role Overview

Astera Labs is seeking a Manager, Package Design Engineering to lead and scale our Package Design team in San Jose. In this high-impact role, you'll own the end-to-end delivery of advanced IC packaging solutions—from early architecture definition through production ramp—enabling the next generation of AI infrastructure and connectivity products.

As the semiconductor industry races toward chiplet-based architectures, 2.5D/3D integration, and ever-increasing bandwidth demands, packaging has become a critical differentiator. You'll build and mentor a high-performing team while driving cross-functional execution with silicon architecture, SIPI, PCB, validation, manufacturing, and external partners including substrate vendors and OSATs. Your work will directly impact Astera Labs' ability to deliver industry-leading PCIe, CXL, and Ethernet connectivity solutions to the world's most demanding hyperscale and AI customers.

This role offers the opportunity to shape design methodology, establish scalable standards, and enable chip-package-board co-design frameworks across multiple product lines in a fast-moving, innovation-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Execution
  • Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing package design engineering team with clear ownership, accountability, and execution flows
  • Establish design templates, standards, and best-known methods (BKMs) across multiple concurrent programs
  • Lead design reviews, audits, and issue resolution through bring-up and production ramp

• Package Design Delivery
  • Own end-to-end package design execution including FCBGA/FCCSP, monolithic, multi-die, and chiplet-based designs from concept feasibility through tape-out and production
  • Define and review substrate stack-ups, pad stacks, routing strategies, and design constraints to meet electrical, thermal, mechanical, and manufacturability requirements
  • Drive technical tradeoffs across performance, cost, yield, and schedule, ensuring high-quality design closure and on-time delivery

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with SIPI, silicon architecture, system/board design, and product teams to drive chip-package-board co-design and resolve system-level challenges
  • Collaborate with OSATs and substrate vendors to ensure design feasibility, manufacturability, and alignment with evolving design rules and technology roadmaps
  • Support adoption of advanced packaging technologies such as 2.5D, chiplet, CPO/CPC, and heterogeneous integration platforms

• Methodology & Automation
  • Develop and scale design methodologies and automation flows to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability across the organization

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IC package design using tools such as Cadence Allegro APD/SiP
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams or technical organizations in IC packaging environments
• Strong hands-on expertise in end-to-end package design with proven delivery of HVM-ready FCBGA/FCCSP packages using Cadence APD tool
• Experience with high-speed SerDes systems (PCIe Gen5/6/7, CXL, Ethernet 100G/200G/400G+) and advanced nodes (7nm, 5nm, 3nm)
• Deep understanding of substrate technologies, stack-ups, routing constraints, assembly processes, and SI/PI fundamentals
• Proven experience working with OSATs and substrate vendors through development and production ramp
• Experience working with OSATs and substrate vendors through development and production ramp
• Experience with advanced packaging architectures such as 2.5D/3D, chiplet, or heterogeneous integration

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• Experience with advanced packaging architectures such as 2.5D/3D, chiplet, or heterogeneous integration
• Experience implementing automation, scripting (Python, SKILL, Tcl), or workflow optimization
• Background in early package feasibility, platform evaluation, and technology roadmap development
• Familiarity with chip floor planning, architecture, and system-level tradeoffs
• Exposure to SIPI modeling and analysis, thermal, and mechanical performance considerations

This position can be hired as a Manager Level or Director Level. The base salary range is $230,000 USD – $265,000 USD. Your base salary will be determined based on location, experience, and employees' pay in similar positions.