CPU Core Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

CPU Core Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Perform physical implementation and signoff for custom CPU designs in Intel's Data Center Group, focusing on synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, power integrity, and layout verification. Work cross-functionally with logic, circuit, architecture, design automation teams, and EDA vendors to deliver high-speed, low-power CPU designs ready for manufacturing.

Experience Level

Entry-level — typically requires 1+ years of relevant experience. A master's degree in a relevant field also satisfies the minimum education requirement.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include full-stack physical design implementation and verification for CPU blocks, and improving design methodology and automation.

• Implement CPU physical design from RTL to GDS, including synthesis, floorplanning, place-and-route, and clock tree synthesis.
• Perform static timing analysis and timing closure across multiple corners and modes.
• Conduct signoff verification: formal equivalence, layout verification, electrical rule checking, reliability and power integrity analysis.
• Analyze results and recommend optimizations to improve power, frequency, and area.
• Collaborate with logic, circuit, architecture, and DFT teams to resolve physical-design-related issues.
• Work with EDA vendors to develop and enhance tool capabilities for high-speed, low-power CPU design.
• Develop and improve physical design methodologies and flow automation.

Requirements

Minimum technical skills and experience required; preferred skills indicated where applicable.

• Must-have: Practical experience with VLSI circuit design and synthesis (minimum months-level experience indicated in posting).
• Must-have: Practical experience with static timing analysis and timing closure.
• Must-have: Practical experience in low-power design techniques and multi-power-domain analysis.
• Must-have: Familiarity with the CPU physical design flow and signoff processes (synthesis, P&R, CTS, STA, layout verification, ERC/LVS).
• Must-have: Ability to analyze physical-design results and implement fixes affecting power, performance, and area.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with x86 CPU architecture.
• Nice-to-have: Scripting/programming experience (Tcl, Perl, Python).
• Behavioral: strong problem-solving skills and tolerance for ambiguity.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or another STEM field plus 1+ years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or another STEM field.

About the Company

Company: Intel Corporation

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA

Intel Corporation is a leading multinational technology company known for its innovative semiconductor solutions, including microprocessors, artificial intelligence accelerators, and memory products. Headquartered in the United States, Intel focuses on cutting-edge technology and a collaborative working environment, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to meet global demands. The company emphasizes professional development and aims to shape the future of technology through groundbreaking designs.