Senior Engineer / R&D Manager in Applied AI

Where AI meets semiconductor excellence...

About imec Qatar

Imec Qatar is a new regional office where we drive our mission of pioneering innovative semiconductor solutions that lay the foundation for a smarter, greener, and truly AI-driven future. Specializing in advanced design tools for emerging technologies like silicon photonics and 3D integrated circuits, imec Qatar is at the forefront of chip development. And we're driving the future with intelligent solutions to optimize infrastructure, and deep-tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society.

This is more than just a new office - it's the start of an exciting journey. With the launch of imec Qatar, you have the unique opportunity to join us from day one and help shape the future of semiconductor innovation in the region. Be part of the team from the very beginning!

What you will do

We are expanding our AI research and development activities and are looking for talented and experienced professionals to fill several key positions in the field of artificial intelligence for semiconductor and digital innovation, such as Senior Engineer, or R&D Manager in Applied AI for Semicon.

As part of our multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to and/or lead the research, development, and implementation of AI-driven solutions that advance semiconductor technologies and digital applications. Depending on your role and expertise, you may:

• Define and drive strategic AI roadmaps across technology pillars.
• Guide teams in achieving milestones for AI-driven projects.
• Translate objectives into actionable research and development packages (e.g., AI-assisted codesign, digital twins, reinforcement learning).
• Build, mentor, and manage cross-functional teams of AI scientists, engineers, and developers.
• Establish robust pipelines for data acquisition, model training, and deployment.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to embed and leverage AI in semiconductor platforms and system architectures.
• Foster cross-disciplinary innovation and ensure AI supports next-generation technologies.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and reporting.
• Represent the organization externally through publications, conferences, and academic engagement.

You will be part of imec, and that means…

You will join a world-class research center in nanotechnology at our brand-new office in Doha (Qatar). You will participate in building a team that shapes technology that will determine the society of tomorrow. Imec is an inclusive employer with an open, multicultural, and informal working environment. We provide ample room for initiative and professional development.

Who you are

We are seeking candidates with backgrounds such as:

• 5+ years of experience in applied research and/or development of AI applications, with leadership in areas such as reinforcement learning, Bayesian optimization, surrogate modeling, or agentic AI.
• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Applied Physics, Microelectronics, or a related STEM field.
• Demonstrable experience working in and/or leading effective, multidisciplinary teams.
• Hands-on approach, contributing to the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
• Strong scientific programming skills, with experience in code documentation and repository management.
• Proven leadership and project management capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills; fluency in English required.
• Familiarity or experience with R&D of SoC architectures, ASICs design, or energy technologies is a plus.