Interview with Lewis Hill, Physical Design Engineer

How many years have you been with the company, and what has kept you here for so long?

I’ve been with Sondrel for just over a year now having initially joined as a part of their graduate scheme in 2023. Over the past year I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in and learn about an industry that was previously unfamiliar to me. The graduate programme has allowed me to gain experience in many aspects of complex chip design across the entire development flow - from front end design work all the way through to physical design and layout.

I am currently working as a physical design engineer, and I am enjoying the challenge of learning the unique skills required for this role. From carefully constructing a block’s floor plan while considering a number of constraints, to performing timing analysis on a block post clock tree synthesis – constant growth and development is encouraged and the senior engineers are always willing offer support and guidance.

What aspect of working here have you enjoyed the most throughout your time with us?

Since joining Sondrel, I have had the privilege of working with teams of highly experienced engineers from across different regions. This collaborative environment has allowed me to learn from some of the best in the industry.

One of the aspects I’ve enjoyed the most has been the opportunity to take ownership of specific parts of a project. This responsibility has pushed me to develop my understanding and ensure my work is of the highest quality, while still being able to rely on the support of senior engineers when needed.

Additionally, by spending time learning about each stage in the development pipeline, I’ve gained an appreciation for each step in the chip design process allowing me to see how the work put in at each stage gets used further on in the process.

In what ways has the company supported your personal and professional growth over the years?

Right from the start of the graduate scheme at Sondrel, there has been a network of support available for both professional and personal growth. In the first year, having a mentor and “buddy” system in place with regular sessions provided a key outlet for any questions I have had.

Sondrel has also offered numerous sessions on different areas of the business, sometimes expanding beyond engineering to give me a well-rounded understanding of the company’s operations. Furthermore, the senior engineers and staff are always willing to share their time and expertise.

As part of Early Career Development (ECD) within Sondrel, there is a strong emphasis on developing soft skills alongside your technical knowledge. We have monthly webinars and have covered topics such as effective communication, time management techniques, and effective debugging.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining our team?

Sondrel fosters a culture of personal and professional development, encouraging continuous improvement in your field and providing the necessary support to enable this growth. I would recommend Sondrel for anyone seeking the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects alongside a dynamic, cross-regional team with significant expertise.