Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Implement custom IP and SoC physical designs from RTL to GDS, focusing on manufacturability and optimization of power, frequency, and area. Work within Intel's Data Center Group on physical design implementation, verification, signoff, and automation while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet product goals.

Experience Level

Mid-level — typically candidates with 2–3+ years of relevant physical design experience (see Education Requirements for degree/experience combinations).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Perform physical implementation tasks: synthesis, placement and routing, clock tree synthesis, and floorplanning.
• Conduct verification and signoff activities: formal equivalence, reliability checks, power integrity, layout verification, DRC/LVS, and structural checks.
• Run static timing analysis and drive timing closure activities.
• Analyze results, diagnose violations, and recommend fixes to meet design specifications and architectural goals.
• Optimize designs for power, frequency, and area.
• Develop and improve physical design methodologies and flow automation for scalability and efficiency.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on timing, multi-power domain analysis, and DFT implementations.
• Use industry-standard EDA tools throughout implementation and validation.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience:

• Hands-on experience with industry-standard EDA tools for synthesis, place & route, timing analysis, and layout verification.
• Practical experience in physical design flows, including clock tree synthesis, floorplanning, timing closure, and power integrity analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze implementation results and propose corrective actions to meet specifications.
• Experience optimizing designs for power, frequency, and area; strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with RTL design and in-depth knowledge of timing closure processes.
• Scripting experience in TCL or a similar interpreted language.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related specialized field with 3+ years of hands-on physical design implementation experience, OR a Master's degree in those fields with 2+ years of hands-on experience. Relevant experience may be obtained through degree work, research, prior employment, or internships.

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.