Director of Business Development – AI Agents for ASIC Design

Alpha Design AI is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead strategic ASIC design partnerships, ecosystem deals, and innovative business models for its AI-agent platform, ChipAgents™. This role involves structuring high-impact deals, designing new commercial frameworks, and building relationships across the semiconductor ecosystem to accelerate AI-native ASIC development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in large ASIC design wins and operate at the intersection of technology, strategy, and industry transformation.

Must Have

• Lead complex, high-value business development efforts.
• Structure and close large ASIC-related engagements (multi-million-dollar scope).
• Work with executive stakeholders to align ChipAgents with silicon roadmaps.
• Design and pilot new business models enabled by AI agents.
• Build strategic relationships across the semiconductor ecosystem.
• 10+ years in semiconductor business development or strategic partnerships.
• Direct experience winning or structuring large ASIC design deals.
• Deep understanding of ASIC design flows, verification, and silicon team economics.
• Ability to engage VP- and C-level executives in strategic conversations.
• Strong judgment, creativity, and comfort operating in ambiguity.

Good to Have

• Experience spanning EDA, silicon startups, hyperscalers, or AI infrastructure companies.
• Familiarity with emerging AI-driven development workflows or developer platforms.
• Track record of launching or scaling new business models.
• MBA or advanced technical degree (EE/CS).

Perks & Benefits

• Help define the next paradigm of ASIC development powered by AI agents.
• Work directly with the CEO on category-defining strategy and deals.
• Shape how future "virtual ASIC companies" are built.
• Competitive compensation and equity.
• Opportunity to build something truly industry-changing.

About Us

We build ChipAgents™, the industry's first AI-agent platform for RTL design and verification. We are redefining how silicon is built—moving from traditional EDA tools to AI-native virtual ASIC teams that dramatically accelerate time-to-tapeout, improve quality, and reduce engineering cost. Our customers range from fast-growing AI chip startups to top-10 global semiconductor companies. Backed by leading investors and AI researchers, we are scaling rapidly and building the foundation for the next generation of AI-driven semiconductor companies.

Role Overview

We are seeking a professional to help shape the future of AI-native ASIC development. This is a highly strategic role focused on large-scale ASIC design partnerships, ecosystem deals, and new business models, not quota-driven transactional sales. You will work closely with the CEO, Product, and GTM leadership to: Land and structure high-impact ASIC design and platform deals; Develop new commercial and partnership models enabled by AI agents; Help customers envision and build virtual ASIC companies powered by ChipAgents. This role is ideal for someone who has personally driven or negotiated large ASIC design wins and wants to operate at the intersection of technology, strategy, and industry transformation.

Key Responsibilities

The professional will focus on four key areas:

Strategic Deal Development

• Lead complex, high-value business development efforts with semiconductor companies, AI accelerator startups, and system companies.
• Structure and close large ASIC-related engagements (multi-million-dollar scope), including platform licensing, design enablement, joint development, or long-term strategic partnerships.
• Work with executive stakeholders to align ChipAgents with customers' silicon roadmaps and organizational goals.

Business Model Innovation

• Design and pilot new business models enabled by AI agents (e.g., usage-based models, outcome-based pricing, co-development frameworks, virtual design team models).
• Explore partnerships that blur the lines between tools, services, and platforms—redefining how ASICs are built and staffed.
• Collaborate with Product and Finance to translate new business models into scalable offerings.

Ecosystem & Partnerships

• Build strategic relationships across the semiconductor ecosystem, including silicon vendors, cloud providers, IP vendors, and manufacturing partners.
• Identify opportunities for co-marketing, joint offerings, or ecosystem leverage that accelerate adoption of ChipAgents.
• Act as a senior external representative at industry forums and executive meetings.

Executive Collaboration

• Partner closely with the CEO on top-tier strategic opportunities and board-level conversations.
• Provide market feedback and strategic insight to inform product direction and long-term company strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in semiconductor business development, strategic partnerships, or related roles.
• Direct experience winning or structuring large ASIC design deals (platform, design enablement, or silicon programs).
• Deep understanding of ASIC design flows, verification, and the economics of building silicon teams.
• Proven ability to engage VP- and C-level executives in strategic, non-transactional conversations.
• Strong judgment, creativity, and comfort operating in ambiguity.

Preferred (Nice-to-Have)

• Experience spanning EDA, silicon startups, hyperscalers, or AI infrastructure companies.
• Familiarity with emerging AI-driven development workflows or developer platforms.
• Track record of launching or scaling new business models, not just executing existing ones.
• MBA or advanced technical degree (EE/CS).

Why Join Us

• Help define the next paradigm of ASIC development powered by AI agents.
• Work directly with the CEO on category-defining strategy and deals.
• Shape how future "virtual ASIC companies" are built—faster, leaner, and AI-native.
• Competitive compensation, equity, and the opportunity to build something truly industry-changing.

To apply, send your resume and a brief note on your most impactful ASIC-related business development win to ww@alphadesign.ai with the subject line "Director of Business Development – [Your Name]".