From Autonomous Vehicles to Surgical Robotics to the growing field of AI, hardware technologies are pushing the frontiers of what’s possible !

Suchismita Bose, our next pathbreaker, ASIC Engineer at NVIDIA, is responsible for the end-to-end physical implementation of integrated circuits.

Suchismita talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how much she enjoyed subjects like Digital and Analog Electronics, topics that sparked a deeper interest in electronics, especially VLSI.

For students, have a clear vision and support it with strong motivation and consistent discipline!

Suchismita,can you share your background with our young readers?

I was born and raised in a small town called Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, where I completed my high school and senior secondary education. From an early age, I was deeply curious about how things work, especially in the world of technology, which naturally led me to pursue engineering. As an only child, I was fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment where my parents raised me without any gender-based limitations—something I’m truly grateful for.

In 2017, while applying for college, I wasn’t entirely sure which engineering branch to choose. Although the focus was heavily on entrance exam preparation, there wasn’t much guidance on aligning one’s interests with the right discipline. At the time, core branches like Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering were considered dependable, offering broad career opportunities. I found myself gravitating toward Electrical Engineering, particularly because I enjoyed studying electrical concepts.

Once I began my undergraduate journey, I realized how much I enjoyed subjects like Digital Electronics and Analog Electronics. These topics sparked a deeper interest in electronics, especially VLSI, which motivated me to pursue a master’s degree with a focus in that area.
As a school student, I had always dreamed of attending an IIT and making my parents proud. That dream came true when I joined IIT Kanpur for my master’s. I’m incredibly thankful to IIT Kanpur—it gave me confidence, countless opportunities, and the freedom to explore and grow in every dimension.

During my time there, I immersed myself in a range of academic and extracurricular activities. I received the Academic Excellence Award, presented a paper at an international conference, and served as a Student Placement Coordinator. Beyond academics, I participated in yoga, was involved in the Student Counselling Service, and actively engaged in cultural and technical events like Antaragni and Techkriti. My efforts were rewarded when I secured a placement on Day 1, Slot 1 of campus recruitment.

Currently, I’m working as an ASIC Engineer at NVIDIA, continuing to pursue my passion in the field of electronics.

What did you do for graduation / post-graduation?

I completed my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College, West Bengal, and went on to pursue a master’s degree from IIT Kanpur focused on VLSI.

During my time at IIT Kanpur, I made a conscious decision to become financially independent—not due to any financial constraints, but out of a desire to ease the burden on my parents. To support myself, I began working part-time as an online instructor at a coaching institute, which allowed me to contribute while balancing my academic commitments.

I worked as a VLSI Trainee at Futurewiz, where my primary role involved teaching subjects relevant to VLSI frontend placement preparation. I conducted online live sessions on Digital Design, Verilog, SystemVerilog, and UVM. In addition to teaching, I also conducted mock interviews for both students and working professionals across varying levels of experience to help them prepare for real-world VLSI interviews.

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in VLSI?

I’ve been deeply influenced by my environment—from the strong value system instilled by my family to the guidance and mentorship of my teachers. Additionally, open educational resources like NPTEL played a significant role in shaping my academic interests and deepening my understanding of various subjects.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

Joining IIT Kanpur was a transformative experience for me. I was surrounded by incredibly intelligent and driven individuals, which inspired me to push myself further. I became more involved in research and actively connected with professionals in the semiconductor industry to understand its future trends and opportunities. Based on those insights, I strategically planned my time to prepare for placements while continuing to give equal importance to my research and thesis work. For me, the key was learning how to prioritize and strike the right balance based on what was most important at any given time.

I pursued an MS by Research (commonly known as MSR) at IIT Kanpur, which is a research-intensive program, similar to the MTech (RA) offered at institutes like IIT Bombay. The program places a stronger emphasis on research compared to the traditional MTech curriculum. My master’s thesis focused on the analysis of Single Photon Detectors and their quenching circuits, involving an in-depth study and characterization of circuit behavior under single-photon detection conditions.

How did you get your first break?

I got my first break during Day 1, Slot 1 placement at IIT Kanpur. I still vividly remember the moment—it was around 2 a.m. when someone from the placement team called and said, “Congratulations, you’ve got the offer.” That moment will always stay with me as one of the most rewarding experiences of my journey.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Academic Background Mismatch

Transitioning from Electrical Engineering to a more electronics-focused domain was challenging. I had to quickly get up to speed with subjects like Electronic Devices and Circuits (EDC), VLSI, and Communication Systems—areas that weren’t deeply covered in my undergraduate curriculum. It was tough, but from my experience, I can confidently say that while the learning curve is steep, it’s achievable with dedication and the right mindset.

Challenge 2: Balancing Research and Placement

I was equally passionate about excelling in research and securing a good placement. Managing both required careful planning. I began creating structured daily and weekly schedules to prioritize based on urgency—focusing on placement prep when needed and dedicating uninterrupted time to my research and thesis work. This discipline helped me maintain a healthy balance and stay on track in both areas.

Challenge 3: Recession During Placement Season

The placement season during my time coincided with a market recession, and as a result, only a limited number of companies visited campus. As a Student Placement Coordinator, I had the dual responsibility of reaching out to companies and encouraging them to participate in our placement drive, while also preparing for my own interviews. I was shortlisted by three companies, but given the circumstances, I knew I had to give my absolute best and crack the first interview—and thankfully, I did.

Where do you work now? 

I’m currently working as an ASIC Engineer at NVIDIA—my dream company. Looking back, I can proudly say that all the hard work and dedication have truly paid off. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my efforts lead me to where I had always aspired to be.

I am currently working as a Physical Design Engineer, where I am responsible for the end-to-end physical implementation of integrated circuits. My role involves key stages of the physical design flow, including floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, timing analysis, and physical verification, ensuring the design meets performance, power, and area (PPA) targets.

How does your work benefit society? 

As an ASIC Physical Design Engineer, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to chip tapeouts—an achievement that feels especially significant as a fresher. Looking ahead, I have strong aspirations to continue doing impactful work in the semiconductor industry, with the goal of contributing to innovations that benefit society.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

Some of the most memorable moments in my journey include the day my research paper was accepted for publication by Springer, and the experience of presenting that work at an international conference held at IISc Bengaluru—standing in front of a room full of distinguished academics and professionals was both humbling and inspiring. And of course, the day I received my placement offer was unforgettable. The very first thing I did was call my parents to share the good news—it was a proud and emotional moment for all of us.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Have a clear vision and support it with strong motivation and consistent discipline. Don’t be afraid to take risks—growth and purpose often emerge from stepping outside your comfort zone. Embrace failures as learning opportunities, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself throughout the journey.

Future Plans?

I plan to continue growing in the semiconductor industry by continually sharpening my technical skills. On a personal level, I also aspire to travel extensively and immerse myself in diverse cultures.