Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Perform physical design implementation of complex System-on-Chip (SoC) blocks in advanced process nodes. Work on block-level implementation from netlist to tape-out, improve implementation methodology, and collaborate with RTL, front-end, integration, timing, and electrical analysis teams. Position located in Austin, TX; 40 hours/week.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Minimum qualifications indicate approximately 5 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include block-level physical implementation, analysis, and methodology improvement.

• Implement SoC blocks from netlist through placement, routing, and tape-out.
• Collaborate with front-end/RTL, integration, timing, and electrical analysis teams to ensure clean integration.
• Perform block- and IP-level floorplanning, pin assignment, and macro placement.
• Implement clock and power distribution and optimize clock architecture for timing and power.
• Resolve congestion hotspots, apply placement/grouping constraints, and implement routing solutions.
• Run and analyze STA, IR/IVD, DRC, LVS and clean up violations to provide a clean database.
• Develop scripts and automation using native tool commands to analyze databases, extract trends, and accelerate flows.
• Drive methodology changes, create guidelines/checklists, and track progress to improve quality and turnaround.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience.

• Experience with EDA tools such as Innovus or IC Compiler, Primetime, and Calibre.
• Experience in synthesis, automated place-and-route, or verification flows (logic equivalency, low-power verification, physical verification).
• Ability to interpret design constraints for timing convergence and low-power implementation.
• Familiarity with circuit-level power-optimization techniques such as clock gating, power gating, and multi-voltage designs.
• Proficiency with hardware description languages to describe digital circuit behavior and structure.
• Experience automating processes and performing data/text processing and analysis with scripting (Perl, shell, Makefiles, TCL).
• Experience in routing and congestion analysis and addressing physical design/flow issues.

Education Requirements

Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field, plus 5 years of experience in the job offered or a related occupation (as stated in minimum qualifications).

About the Company

Company: Apple

Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States

Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. Known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, Mac computers, and iPad, Apple emphasizes a strong commitment to high-quality design and user experience.