Core CPU Physical Design Engineer (Lead/Staff/Sr Staff)
QualcommJob Title
Core CPU Physical Design Engineer (Lead/Staff/Sr Staff)
Role Summary
Lead physical design activities for high-performance CPU cores, responsible for timing signoff, power-delivery network (PDN) methodology, and implementation from RTL to GDSII. Work with cross-functional teams (STA, verification, constraints, circuit design) to meet PPA and reliability targets and deliver silicon-ready blocks or chips.
Experience Level
Senior — position expects an experienced engineer at lead/staff level. Typical guidance: 7+ years in physical design, timing closure, and PDN methodology (posting references 7–14 years).
Responsibilities
Deliver and lead physical design and timing closure for CPU cores; coordinate with adjacent teams to ensure silicon-quality implementation.
- Lead block- or chip-level physical design, STA, and PDN activities.
- Perform timing signoff and timing convergence for high-frequency designs.
- Implement RTL-to-GDSII flow and resolve implementation issues.
- Validate and verify constraints, interact with verification and circuit teams on critical paths.
- Apply low-power techniques (power gating, multi-Vt, supply management) in implementation.
- Mentor and coordinate a small technical team to meet delivery milestones.
Requirements
Core technical skills and experience required; degrees summarized separately under Education Requirements.
- 7+ years of experience in physical design and timing signoff for high-speed cores; proven lead-level contributions.
- Experience with high-frequency design convergence, PPA targets, and PDN methodology.
- Deep understanding of deep-submicron issues (leakage, signal integrity, DFM) and timing-critical circuit behavior.
- Hands-on experience with RTL-to-GDSII implementation flows and STA-driven physical design.
- Familiarity with low-power implementation flows (power gating, multi-Vt, supply management).
- Scripting skills (Tcl, Perl) for automation and CAD flows.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and lead technical deliveries.
- Preferred: prior experience leading small teams and coordinating cross-functional delivery.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or a related technical field are cited with experience-based alternatives: Bachelor's +4 years, Master's +3 years, or PhD +2 years in hardware/engineering roles. The posting also references candidates with 7+ years of IC design experience paired with a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree. Equivalent practical experience in hardware/physical design is accepted per the listed minimum-qualification options.
About the Company
Company: Qualcomm
Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States
Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.
