E-core CPU Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

E-core CPU Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Work on physical implementation of Intel Atom (E-core) CPU blocks from synthesis through post-layout verification and tapeout. The role focuses on creating constraints and driving synthesis and Auto-Place and Route tools to meet aggressive timing and power targets.

The engineer will collaborate with micro-architecture, RTL, and custom circuit teams to converge block and subsystem designs, and contribute to timing closure, power optimization, and physical verification.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 10+ years of relevant experience in CPU physical design and timing verification; this posting specifies a minimum of 10 years and preferred 12+ years.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include implementation, verification, and optimization of CPU core physical designs and supporting automation and analysis.

• Implement CPU core blocks: logic synthesis, place-and-route, and post-layout verification through tapeout.
• Develop and apply synthesis and APR constraints to meet timing and power goals.
• Perform floorplanning, routing studies, and implementation for blocks and subsystems.
• Conduct block/subsystem-level timing analysis and closure activities.
• Apply low-power techniques and perform power-reduction analysis for subsystems.
• Perform physical verification closure including DRC/LVS, IR and electromigration checks.
• Analyze noise, cross-talk, and on-chip variation (OCV) effects.
• Write scripts for data analysis and recipe creation to support flows and automation.
• Collaborate across micro-architecture, RTL, and circuits teams; provide technical leadership and mentorship.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items identified.

• Must-have: 10+ years experience in CPU physical design and timing verification.
• Must-have: Experience with synthesis/APR flows on multi-voltage, high-frequency designs, including custom polygon editing.
• Must-have: Proficiency in Tcl scripting for flow automation and data analysis.
• Must-have: Experience with noise, cross-talk, and OCV analysis.
• Must-have: Strong floorplanning, physical design, and timing-closure experience.
• Must-have: Familiarity with formal equivalence, DRC/LVS, IR and electromigration checks.
• Preferred: 12+ years of experience with the above skill sets.
• Preferred: Experience with Fusion Compiler, DCT, DCE, ICC2, RedHawk, ICV, Conformal, Calibre, PrimeTime, StarRCXT.
• Preferred: Cadence tool experience is a plus.

Education Requirements

Required: BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

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.