Senior Physical Design Engineer

Our technology solutions power the tools you use every day—including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and more. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a global leader whose innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and powering the future. We believe innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We’re dedicated to empowering people to be their true selves. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow for our employees, customers, partners, and communities.

About the Role

The AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) Computing Lab is dedicated to solving the complex system-level challenges posed by the growing demands of future AI/ML workloads. Our team is committed to designing and developing scalable platforms that can effectively handle the computational and memory requirements of these workloads while minimizing energy consumption and maximizing performance. We collaborate closely with both hardware and software engineers to identify and address the unique challenges posed by AI/ML workloads and to explore new computing abstractions that provide a better balance between hardware and software. We continuously conduct research and development in emerging technologies across memory, computing, interconnect, and AI/ML to ensure our platforms handle the most demanding workloads of the future. Join us in shaping the future of computing!

Responsibilities

• Own the physical implementation of memory-centric computing IP and SoC partitions from RTL netlist to GDSII, including synthesis, floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), and routing.
• Drive block- and full-chip-level PPA (performance, power, and area) convergence and timing closure across multiple process corners and operating modes.
• Develop floorplans, power delivery networks, and macro placement strategies for memory controllers, NoC, and high-bandwidth interconnect subsystems.
• Perform static timing analysis (STA), constraint development, and signoff, resolving setup/hold timing, IR-drop, electromigration, and signal integrity issues.
• Execute physical verification and signoff (DRC, LVS, antenna, and reliability checks) in collaboration with foundry and standard-cell/memory library teams on advanced process nodes.
• Collaborate with RTL and verification engineers, providing physical feedback that informs design-for-PPA and floorplan-aware microarchitecture decisions.
• Make design decisions out of a large design trade-off space across performance, power, thermal, and cost.
• Develop and automate physical implementation flows and methodologies using Tcl/Python scripting and agentic AI tools and frameworks to improve turnaround time and quality of results.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including users, partners, and management, to ensure designs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s with 5+ years, Master’s with 3+ years, or PhD with 0+ years of industry experience.
• Strong background in digital physical design and VLSI implementation.
• 5+ years of experience in physical design implementation—synthesis, floorplanning, place-and-route, clock tree synthesis, and timing closure—for complex ASIC/SoC designs.
• Proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools such as Synopsys Fusion Compiler/ICC2, Cadence Innovus, PrimeTime, and StarRC.
• Experience with static timing analysis and constraint (SDC) development, low-power design (UPF/CPF), and power, IR-drop, and electromigration analysis.
• Experience with physical verification (DRC, LVS, antenna) and tapeout on advanced FinFET process nodes.
• Experience implementing memory controllers, NoC, or high-speed interconnect IP and full-chip SoC integration.
• Proficiency in scripting (Tcl, Python, or Perl) for physical design flow automation.
• Experience in AI/ML workloads.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Inclusive, adapting your style to the situation and diverse global norms.
• An avid learner, approaching challenges with curiosity and resilience, seeking data to build understanding.
• Collaborative, building relationships, humbly offering support, and openly welcoming approaches.
• Innovative and creative, proactively exploring new ideas and adapting quickly to change.

Location

Daily onsite presence at our San Jose, CA office / U.S. headquarters in alignment with our Flexible Work policy.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k retirement plan.
• Incentive opportunities rewarding individual and company performance.
• 4+ weeks of paid time off per year, plus holidays and sick leave.
• Charitable giving match and frequent community involvement opportunities.
• Stipend for fertility care or adoption, medical travel support, and virtual vet care.
• On-demand apps and free confidential therapy sessions for emotional wellness.
• Onsite café and gym, plus virtual fitness classes.
• Flexible work environment to support work-life balance.

Pay

Base pay range: $138,000—$206,000 USD. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Incentive opportunities reward employees based on individual and company performance.