Physical Design Intern
ArmJob Title
Physical Design Intern
Role Summary
As part of the Silicon Enablement Physical Design Implementation team in Sophia Antipolis, the intern will own a research topic focused on improving physical implementation performance for processors and IP. The role involves hands-on implementation work, timing analysis, and the use of AI-assisted engineering tools under direct mentorship.
Deliverables include technical investigations, measurable improvements to implementation recipes, and regular presentations of findings to the team.
Experience Level
Entry-level internship for students enrolled in higher education. Suitable for Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD students; prior commercial experience is not required.
Responsibilities
Conduct supervised research and implementation work to improve timing and performance of physical designs; communicate results.
- Analyze timing correlation across implementation stages from standard-cell placement through detail routing.
- Correlate critical timing paths between static timing analysis and SPICE/transistor-level simulation.
- Improve physical implementation setups and automation recipes to enhance timing convergence.
- Quantify the impact of timing improvements on maximum achievable frequency.
- Apply AI and agentic AI tools for data analysis, scripting, debugging, and interpretation of results.
- Prepare and deliver regular presentations and documentation of findings.
- Collaborate with mentors and cross-functional engineers to integrate results into workflows.
Requirements
Logistical and practical requirements for participating in the internship program. Educational enrollment details are summarized in the Education Requirements section below.
- Must-have: Right to work in France for the full 6-month internship period; Arm cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role.
- Must-have: Availability for a 6-month internship starting in 2027 and ability to provide a university internship agreement (Convention de Stage) with university contact details.
- Must-have: Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and clear written and verbal communication.
- Desired: Exposure to synthesis, place-and-route tools, or digital design toolflows.
- Desired: Basic scripting skills (Python, Tcl, or similar) and experience with data analysis and debugging.
- Desired: Interest in CPU/GPU architecture and physical implementation techniques.
Education Requirements
Enrollment in a higher-education degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field is required. Candidates with other degrees may be considered if they have relevant practical experience. The internship requires a French tripartite internship agreement (Convention de Stage) signed by the student, their university, and the host; applicants must supply university contact details.
About the Company
Company: Arm
Headquarters: Cambridge, United Kingdom
ARM is a global leader in semiconductor and software design, driving innovation in computing technology. The company specializes in designing processors and systems that provide the essential building blocks for electronic devices. ARM's architecture is widely used in smartphones, servers, and IoT devices, and its collaborative culture fosters bold thinking, diversity, and high-impact benefits for its talented workforce.
