Introduction
Nachiket Galgali, Principal IC Design Engineer at Broadcom, has over 18 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, working with Intel, ARM, and IBM. He specializes in microprocessor design and is also a registered Indian Patent Agent, advocating for innovation and intellectual property awareness. He conducts Faculty Development Programs for Engineering Colleges and mentors engineering students. He can be reached on ngalgali@gmail.com.
Key Insights from the Conversation
- Early Passion for Electronics – Inspired by his family of engineers and curiosity about electronic components.
- VLSI as a Career Path – A guest lecture on IC design and Moore’s Law led him to specialize in VLSI.
- Hands-on Learning Matters – Practical projects, like implementing FFT on an FPGA, gave him an edge in his career.
- Stay Informed – Understanding global developments helps in spotting new opportunities.
- Adapting to Career Opportunities – Initially interested in DSP, but embraced microprocessors due to industry demand.
- Adapting to Career Opportunities – Initially interested in DSP, but embraced microprocessors due to industry demand.
- Continuous Learning – Dedicates 4 hours daily to studying memory subsystems, computer architecture, and core engineering books.
- Semiconductor Industry Growth – Hardware remains crucial, especially with the rise of AI and high-performance computing.
- Value of Patents – Engineers should consider patenting their innovations, as it strengthens their profiles and career prospects.
Advice for Aspiring Engineers
- Master Mathematics – A strong foundation is critical.
- Engage in Hands-on Work – Practical experience is invaluable.
- Focus on Core Engineering Principles – Trends come and go, but fundamentals last.