Yi Hong Tan

MEng EEE @ University of Southampton | Hardware Implementation | Digital Design & RTL

United Kingdom

About

MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering candidate with a primary focus on the digital, computing, and software aspects of the discipline. My technical interests span the entire silicon lifecycle, from computer architecture and formal verification down to physical implementation. In the hardware space, my core industry experience lies in physical implementation. I am comfortable navigating the backend flow, from synthesis and Place & Route (PnR) through to STA, Logic Equivalence Checking (LEC), and power integrity (EM/IR) sign-off. I enjoy working across the hardware-software boundary, and I frequently bridge the gap between design and implementation to evaluate how architectural decisions and RTL design choices impact backend physical results. Alongside silicon engineering, my background includes software and embedded programming, backed by practical exposure to AI/ML pipelines. Outside of formal work and studies, I enjoy rapid prototyping and competitive engineering, previously winning Champion at the Malaya Makerthon 2023.

Experience

  • Implementation Engineer at Arm
    Jun 2025 - Jun 2026 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Physical Implementation & Sign-Off: Executed synthesis and Place & Route (PnR) to evaluate interconnect clocking strategies. Ensured design integrity via Logic Equivalence Checking (LEC) and performed Static Timing Analysis (STA), resolving timing violations to optimise Power, Performance, and Area (PPA). • Vector-Driven Power Analysis: Performed parasitic extraction and utilised SDF back-annotation for gate-level simulations. Generated FSDB activity files using custom testbenches to drive accurate dynamic power analysis and EM/IR checks. • Front-End & Constraints: Independently established design baselines by writing custom RTL, testbenches, and SDC constraints (incorporating timing exceptions such as multicycle paths) to enable the physical design flow. • EDA Automation: Authored custom Python and Tcl scripts to parse tool logs, extract data, and automate pre- and post-processing tasks for custom flow steps.

  • Summer Intern at University of Southampton Malaysia
    Jun 2024 - Sep 2024 · 4 mos

    • Audio-to-Gesture ML Pipeline: Engineered an AI pipeline using diffusion models and GANs to translate audio inputs into automated 3D rig animations. Handled audio encoding/decoding via EnCodec and deployed models using TorchServe. • Drone Systems Integration: Enhanced QGroundControl software by integrating custom MAVLink messages and programming simulated drone flight patterns to improve system communication protocols.

  • Sub Committee at IEEE Student Branch - UoSM
    Sep 2023 - Jul 2024 · 11 mos

  • Committee at IET Malaysia Local Network Young Professionals Section (YPS)
    May 2023 - Jun 2024 · 1 yr 2 mos

    • Coordinated technical events and facilitated communications across Malaysian university campuses to bridge student branches with industry professionals.

  • UoSM IET On Campus (1 yr 6 mos)
    • Treasurer
      Apr 2023 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

      • Managed budgeting, funding allocations, and financial operations for the campus branch.

    • Technical Officer
      Nov 2022 - Apr 2023 · 6 mos

      • Oversaw technical operations and managed 3D printing services for campus engineering events.