Physical Design Staff Application Engineer
SynopsysJob Title
Physical Design Staff Application Engineer
Role Summary
Support customers implementing advanced-node ASICs using Synopsys physical design tools. Focus areas include methodology and flow development, automation, debugging complex implementation issues, and feeding customer-driven requirements into product R&D.
Experience Level
Senior level - guidance: typically 5+ years ASIC physical design experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 3+ years with a Master's degree (see Education Requirements).
Responsibilities
Primary duties include customer-facing engineering, methodology development, automation, and collaboration with product teams.
- Support customer engagements on advanced-node designs (7nm, 5nm, and below) using Fusion Compiler, ICC2, or equivalent tools to meet PPA and schedule goals.
- Develop and maintain automation and methodology using TCL, Python, and Perl across the RTL-to-GDS flow.
- Debug complex physical design issues: placement, clock tree synthesis, routing, timing closure, power optimization, and electromigration.
- Deliver tailored methodology recommendations and provide on-site support and design reviews during critical tape-out phases.
- Collaborate with R&D, product management, and field teams to translate customer issues into product requirements and enhancements.
- Contribute to AI/ML-driven optimization initiatives and apply data-driven approaches to implementation challenges.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and practical experience; nice-to-have items summarized after the list.
- Hands-on ASIC physical design experience on production/tape-out designs at advanced nodes.
- Proficiency with industry implementation tools such as Synopsys ICC2, Fusion Compiler, or Cadence Innovus.
- Strong scripting and automation skills in TCL and Python (Perl acceptable).
- Deep understanding of advanced-node implementation tradeoffs, multi-patterning, and EM concerns.
- Familiarity with logical and physical synthesis flows.
- Strong communication and presentation skills for direct customer engagement.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites, sometimes on short notice.
Nice-to-have: prior experience with AI/ML-driven optimization techniques and machine-learning-based design flows.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field with 5+ years of hands-on ASIC physical design experience, or a Master's degree with 3+ years of hands-on ASIC physical design experience. No certifications or explicit "equivalent experience" language specified.
About the Company
Company: Synopsys
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
Synopsys is a leading company in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor IP solutions. It provides tools and services for designing and verifying complex semiconductor devices and systems. The company plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, helping engineers innovate and deliver higher-quality products faster. Synopsys is committed to advancing technology standards and offers a range of software and hardware solutions to its clients globally.
