CPU Physical Design Engineer (Austin)
QualcommJob Title
CPU Physical Design Engineer (Austin)
Role Summary
Design and verify high-performance, low-power CPU cores as part of a cross-functional CPU engineering team. The role covers architecture-to-silicon workstreams including pre-silicon design, verification, and post-silicon validation for multi-core processors.
Experience Level
Entry-level to early career - typically 1 to 3 years of relevant engineering experience (minimums in posting indicate 1+ to 2+ years depending on degree).
Responsibilities
Typical responsibilities include:
- Apply computer architecture, microarchitecture, logic design, circuits, and physical design knowledge to CPU implementation and verification.
- Identify and solve design issues affecting functionality, power, and performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, specifications, and trade-offs.
- Participate across the product lifecycle from architecture and feasibility to pre-silicon verification and post-silicon validation.
- Create and maintain technical documentation: feature descriptions, architecture notes, verification plans, and implementation details.
- Develop functional models, checkers, test plans, and test generation to validate designs.
Requirements
Core technical requirements and desirable experience. Degree requirements are summarized separately below.
- Experience with high-performance microprocessor design (preferred: 2+ years).
- Proficient in high-level programming (C, C++) and scripting (Python, Perl, or similar).
- Experience with hardware simulators and waveform/debug tools and HDL (Verilog, VHDL).
- Familiarity with synthesis, place-and-route flows, and design verification tools.
- Experience with simulation, emulation, formal verification, or silicon validation methodologies.
- Ability to produce functional models, checkers, and verification/test plans.
- Experience working in a large, matrixed organization and collaborating across teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and team interaction.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in those fields with 1+ year of relevant experience; or a PhD in a related technical field. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable where noted.
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.
