CPU Physical Design Engineer
QualcommJob Title
CPU Physical Design Engineer
Role Summary
The CPU Physical Design Engineer will implement high-performance, low-power CPU designs from RTL to GDS. The role works with microarchitecture and RTL teams to meet aggressive timing, power, and area targets and to deliver tapeout-ready layouts using industry-standard EDA flows.
Experience Level
Mid-level. Typical experience guidance in the posting: Bachelor's +2 years or Master's +1 year; PhD also acceptable. Expect prior hands-on CPU or ASIC physical design experience.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities focus on implementing and optimizing CPU designs across synthesis, place & route, and signoff.
- Collaborate with CPU microarchitecture and RTL teams to understand specifications and design trade-offs.
- Perform feasibility studies to validate implementability, area, timing, and power estimates.
- Synthesize Verilog RTL to gate-level netlists and apply design optimizations.
- Run synthesis, place & route, and deliver GDS for tapeout.
- Optimize designs at RTL and physical stages to meet timing, power, and area goals.
- Validate designs for functional and electrical robustness and participate in signoff flows.
Requirements
Technical must-haves and preferred skills. Educational prerequisites are listed under Education Requirements below.
Must-have:
- Hands-on experience with synthesis and physical implementation (place & route) flows and tools.
- Experience with signoff timing and power analysis and RTL-to-GDS implementation.
- Proficiency with Verilog/SystemVerilog and experience synthesizing RTL.
- Ability to analyze and optimize designs for timing, power, and area.
- Experience validating designs for functional and electrical robustness.
Nice-to-have:
- Knowledge of CPU microarchitecture, logic design, and circuit-level implementation methods.
- Experience with deep submicron process nodes and library cell optimization.
- Familiarity with high-performance and low-power implementation techniques and tapeout processes.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 2+ years of relevant engineering experience; OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 1+ year of relevant experience; OR PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Equivalent practical experience is accepted as indicated in the posting.
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.
