Senior CPU Core Physical Design Engineer

TL;DR

Senior CPU Core Physical Design Engineer (VLSI/Hardware): Implementation of custom CPU designs from RTL to GDS for next-generation AI-powered processors with an accent on synthesis, place and route, and timing closure. Focus on optimizing power, frequency, and area while ensuring reliability and signoff for manufacturing.

Location: Hybrid in Hillsboro, Oregon, US

Salary: $141,910 - $269,100 USD

Company

Global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and processor design driving innovations in AI and cloud-to-edge technology.

What you will do

• Perform physical design implementation of custom CPUs from RTL to GDS.
• Manage the full physical design flow, including synthesis, place and route, CTS, floor planning, and STA.
• Conduct verification and signoff tasks such as formal equivalence, layout verification, and electrical rule checking.
• Collaborate with logic, circuit, and architecture teams to optimize CPU microarchitectures.
• Partner with EDA vendors to enhance tool capabilities for high-speed, low-power synthesizable CPUs.
• Optimize product-level parameters including power, frequency, and area.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, CS, EE, or STEM with 6+ years of experience (or Master's with 4+ years).
• 4+ years of experience in VLSI circuit design and synthesis.
• 4+ years of experience in Static Timing Analysis (STA).
• 4+ years of experience in Low power design.
• Must be based in or able to work in a hybrid model in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Nice to have

• Experience with x86 CPU architecture.
• Proficiency in Tcl, Perl, or Python programming.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package including competitive pay and stock bonuses.
• Health, retirement, and vacation programs.
• Hybrid work model allowing a split between on-site and off-site work.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of hardware powering the AI revolution.