CPU STA CAD Engineer

Job Title

CPU STA CAD Engineer

Role Summary

Build and support static timing analysis (STA) tools and timing-closure flows for custom CPU designs to achieve target power, performance and area (PPA).

Provide methodology guidance and tool/flow support to worldwide CPU physical design teams and collaborate with EDA vendors to resolve tool issues and drive roadmap improvements.

Experience Level

Level: Mid-Career. Experience guidance in posting: Bachelor's +6 years, Master's +5 years, or PhD +4 years of relevant engineering experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include owning STA flows, debugging timing issues, and improving methodology and automation.

• Architect and recommend STA and timing-closure methodology improvements.
• Maintain, support and debug STA flows and timing ECO closure for CPU projects.
• Provide methodology guidance and hands-on tools/flow support to global CPU physical design teams.
• Work with EDA vendors to resolve tool issues and influence vendor roadmaps.
• Automate flows and develop tools/scripts to improve quality and repeatability.
• Collaborate with synthesis and place-and-route teams to optimize PPA.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; listed concisely.

• Proven industry experience in Static Timing Analysis (STA) on advanced technology nodes.
• Strong scripting and programming skills, particularly Python and Tcl; automation mindset.
• Software quality practices: static checking, test-driven development, CI/CD for automation code.
• Experience generating, optimizing and automating timing ECO closure.
• Deep understanding of STA concepts (examples: LVF, CCS, SSI, NBTI) and their impact on margins/derates.
• Effective debugging and issue resolution under project deadlines.
• Synthesis and place-and-route experience with a focus on PPA optimization.
• Experience collaborating with EDA partners and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Nice-to-have: web/database/dashboard visualization experience; experience applying AI/ML techniques to EDA workflows (log analysis, root-cause, metrics mining, automated script/documentation generation).

Education Requirements

One of the following is required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field plus 6+ years of relevant engineering experience; OR Master's degree in those fields plus 5+ years; OR PhD in those fields plus 4+ years. Equivalent practical experience considered as stated.

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.