Adam Davis’s Summer at Marvell Semiconductor

This summer, Adam Davis ‘25, a Computer Engineering major at NC State, is interning as a Physical Design Intern at Marvell Semiconductor, where he’s helping design the custom computer chips powering the AI revolution while gaining invaluable insights from industry leaders. His hands-on experience is shaping his future as he embarks on the accelerated Bachelors-Masters program.

Computer Engineering major Adam Davis ‘25, is gaining invaluable experience this summer as a Physical Design Intern at Marvell Semiconductor in Morrisville, NC. Davis is working on the leading edge of custom ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), contributing to the infrastructure that powers the AI revolution.

In his role, Davis likens the work of physical design engineers to that of urban planners, translating project visions into executable blueprints that adhere to essential rules and regulations. This summer, he has been leveraging industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software to transform RTL (Register-Transfer-Level) code into GDS-II photomasks, which serve as the blueprints for manufacturing computer chips.

Davis has had the opportunity to work with TSMC’s advanced N3 manufacturing process, which features transistors as dense as 3nm apart. His focus has been on pushing the boundaries of signal density within a routing channel block for future chip designs, all while meeting stringent functionality, timing, and manufacturability criteria. Additionally, he has been migrating an internal buffer tree insertion tool to align with TSMC’s 3nm standard cell libraries, further enhancing the chip design flow.

One of Davis’s standout experiences at Marvell has been the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from brilliant minds across the company. From entry-level engineers to seasoned engineering fellows and upper management, the eagerness to share expertise and insights has significantly enriched his internship experience.

Davis’s key takeaway from this summer is the realization that building functional and competitive computer chips often requires what he describes as “engineering miracles.” This understanding has only fueled his passion for the field.

Back at NC State, Davis is involved in many different organizations such as the Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) which has provided Davis with a comprehensive view of the integrated circuit journey, from specification to manufactured product. It has also influenced his course selection as he embarks on the Accelerated Bachelors-Masters (ABM) program at NC State.

“During the school year, I work part-time as a student employee at the NC State Nanofabrication Facility (NNF),” said Davis. “Our facility boasts a commercial-class clean room housing a myriad of advanced photolithography, etch, deposition, and metrology tools enabling both academic and commercial breakthroughs.”

The CLAWS program, led by NC State with a $39.4 million award from the Department of Defense, focuses on advancing wide-bandgap semiconductors for critical applications in power electronics, RF and wireless devices, and beyond.

In addition to the NNF, he is heavily involved in both NC State’s Rotaract Club, a service-based student organization working alongside several local Rotary clubs, and the Rho Chapter of Theta Tau at NC State, a professional co-ed engineering fraternity.

Looking ahead, Davis aims to combine his technical knowledge with an understanding of how business drives engineering decisions. His ultimate goal is to design the next generation of chips that address the world’s most pressing challenges.

As Davis continues his journey at Marvell Semiconductor, he exemplifies the spirit of innovation and dedication that defines NC State’s Electrical and Computer Engineering community.

Marvell Semiconductor is one of our corporate sponsors. Here’s a video from our Find Out Why from our Alumni series.