CPU Server Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

CPU Server Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Design and verify high-performance, low-power CPU physical implementations for server products. Member of the CPU Engineering team responsible for floorplanning, timing, power optimization, and preparing multi-core CPU designs for tapeout.

Work spans pre-silicon architecture and verification to post-silicon validation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet product performance and power targets.

Experience Level

Mid-level; typically requires 1+ to 2+ years of relevant engineering experience depending on degree (see Education Requirements).

Responsibilities

Primary duties include physical design, verification, and technical documentation for server CPU projects.

• Develop and verify CPU physical designs addressing performance, power, and area targets.
• Analyze architecture and microarchitecture to drive floorplanning, timing, and power trade-offs.
• Use simulation, emulation, and waveform-debugging to identify and resolve design issues.
• Execute synthesis, place-and-route, and verification tool flows to advance designs toward tapeout.
• Create functional models, checkers, test plans, and test generation infrastructure.
• Collaborate with architecture, verification, layout, and validation teams to define requirements and trade-offs.
• Produce detailed technical documentation (feature descriptions, verification plans, implementation details).

Requirements

Key technical skills and practical experience expected.

• Must-have: Strong knowledge of computer architecture, microarchitecture, logic design, circuits, and physical design.
• Must-have: Proficiency in high-level programming (C/C++) and scripting (Python, Perl, or similar).
• Must-have: Experience with hardware description languages and simulation/waveform debugging (e.g., Verilog, VHDL).
• Must-have: Experience with synthesis, place-and-route, and industry-standard design verification tool flows.
• Must-have: Experience with simulation, emulation, formal verification, or silicon validation; and creating test plans and models.
• Nice-to-have: Prior experience on high-performance microprocessor or server CPU designs and familiarity with large matrixed organizations.
• Other: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work independently and influence cross-team decisions.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant engineering experience; OR Master's degree in those fields with 1+ year of relevant experience; OR PhD in those fields. Preferred: Master's degree.

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.