The VLSI domain presents many complexities and challenges, due to the need to balance power and performance with the area of the chip (which directly translates to cost-per-chip).

Kannan, our next pathbreaker, is Director of Product Engineering at Siemens Digital Industries Software, a technology leader in software and hardware for electronic design automation (EDA).

Kannan talks to  Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his PhD (IIT Delhi) in Semiconductors which involved working on beyond CMOS-devices and designing new device architectures that can be used in sensing applications.

For students, as semiconductor design heads towards shrinking node architectures, there will be a focus on how AI can revolutionise design and engineering !

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

Though my roots are in Tamil Nadu, I grew up in Delhi, in a home where learning was a big part of everyday life. My father was into academics, and my mother loved reading—so naturally, I picked up the habit of reading too! I went to an English-medium government-aided school, which gave me a strong academic base, but I didn’t get many chances to speak English fluently back then.

As a child, I was always curious—I wanted to be a scientist! I loved science and solving problems, and that interest stayed with me as I grew older.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I studied Electronics and Communication Engineering at Delhi College of Engineering (now DTU). Later, while working, I pursued a part-time PhD at IIT Delhi. I didn’t do it just for the title—I wanted to sharpen my thinking and problem-solving skills.

What made you choose a career in DeepTech?

My parents, who valued education deeply, were my biggest influencers. I had colleagues who had PhDs who inspired me to push myself further.

I got placed at Motorola during college which was a big turning point. I started realizing that VLSI design was a field where I could build things that power the devices we use every day.

Can you tell us about your career Path?

After college, I got placed at Motorola’s semiconductor division. By the time I joined the team, Motorola had spun off its semiconductor division as a separate company called Freescale Semiconductor. I didn’t know much about VLSI design at first, but I learned on the job. I worked in the Physical Design domain which involves translating the Semiconductor chip design intent, represented by what we call RTL (Register-Transfer-Logic), into it’s physical representation which can be fabricated and manufactured as the final semiconductor chip. The domain that I work in involves many complexities and challenges due to the advanced technology nodes that we work on and the need to balance the power, performance (the frequency at which the chip will operate) and the area of the chip (which directly translates to cost-per-chip). Early on, I got an opportunity to directly work with foundries like TSMC, which today are the leading manufacturers of advanced semiconductor chips. 

There are many advanced algorithm-based software solutions, called EDA tools (Electronic Design Automation tools), that are need in the Physical Design flow. I got an opportunity to work on evaluating some of these, working with their R&D teams in enhancing them for our company’s needs and then deploying the solutions across the various chip design teams in the company. This was a great opportunity for me to learn working with cross-cultural teams and also improve on my project leadership skills.

Subsequently, Freescale merged into NXP.

Later, I moved into leadership roles and in parallel pursued my PhD. When I did my engineering graduation, the technical exposure to VLSI domain was limited. Also, working with some of the colleagues who had done a PhD, I realized that there was a fundamental difference in how they approach a problem. Instead of just working on a short-term solution, I found them doing a deep-dive analysis of the data, formulate a theory and go on to develop a comprehensive solution. I wanted to develop a similar methodology to my work. While the work in the industry did offer such opportunities, I felt that a more formal approach engrained through a PhD program would help me further enhance my problem-solving skills. 

I did my PhD from IIT Delhi. They allow Industry professionals to pursue the PhD along with their work. I had to clear their interview process in order to get admitted. In case of B.E/B.Tech students from premier institutions with very good academic record (high pass percentage/CGPA), they allow a direct admission without having to complete a M.Tech. However, after enrolling for PhD, there is a requirement to take significantly higher course work, compared to the M.Tech students who enrolled for a PhD. I took each of these milestones, one at a time and while it was really tough to manage between a demanding career and the high academic rigour expected at IIT Delhi, my perseverance paid off and I completed my PhD in the domain of “Application of steep-subthreshold slope transistors for sensing applications”. My PhD involved working on beyond CMOS-devices and designing new device architectures that can be used in sensing applications. For my PhD work, I was awarded distinction in Doctoral Research by the institute, based on the unanimous recommendation of all the Thesis examiners. I greatly cherish this achievement, as it validates the quality of my PhD work.

Coming back to my Industrial experience, each job helped me grow—from solving technical problems to leading teams and shaping product strategies. I have always kept learning, taken feedback seriously and adapted to new technologies and processes.

How did you get your first break?

My first break came through campus placement at Motorola. It was a big moment because it introduced me to the world of semiconductors and VLSI design.

Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced & how you overcame them?

  • Challenge 1: Lack of exposure to working in International teams and understanding and working as per different cultural norms. The most important skill that I worked on was listening to others and understanding the nuances in communication, that are greatly influenced by a person’s background culture. I also worked on improving my manner of expressions, and professional speaking on international calls and improving gradually by reflecting back on the conversations during the meeting.
  • Challenge 2: Lack of clarity in career direction. I explored different roles and found my passion in VLSI.
  • Challenge 3: Balancing work and PhD. Though it was extremely tough, I managed my time carefully and stayed focused on long-term goals while prioritizing immediate critical tasks.

Where do you work now?

I’m a Director of Product Engineering at a leading semiconductor company.

What problems do you solve?

I work on software products that enable designing chips that power devices, optimizing performance and power.

The skills needed for my role are problem solving, VLSI design, communication, and now AI tools.

What’s a typical day like?

Reviewing designs, guiding teams, solving technical challenges, and planning future innovations. I love creating technology that impacts millions and mentoring young engineers.

How does your work benefit society?

Chips designed using our development products go into phones, computers, medical devices, and more. We help make technology faster, smarter, and more energy-efficient, which benefits everyone.

Memorable Work?

The work that I did during my PhD and some of the projects and designs that I led from the front in my professional career.

Advice to Students?

  • Don’t chase shortcuts—focus on consistent effort.
  • Learn continuously, even if resources are limited.
  • Use AI as a tool, not a threat.
  • Believe in yourself—even if you’re from a small town or modest background, you can reach the top.

Future Plans

I want to mentor more students, help India grow in semiconductor design, and explore how AI can revolutionize engineering. I believe the future belongs to those who keep learning and adapting.