Principal Engineer - Physical Design
MicrochipJob Title
Principal Engineer - Physical Design
Role Summary
Join Microchip's CAD Physical Design team to lead full-chip APR and physical implementation from netlist to GDSII. The role focuses on delivery of hierarchical, low-power, multi-mode, multi-corner mixed-signal designs and driving sign-off-quality physical implementation across a global design team.
Experience Level
Senior — typically requires 10+ years of relevant physical design experience.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities center on end-to-end full-chip physical implementation and collaboration with cross-functional teams to achieve design closure.
- Lead full-chip APR/physical implementation (netlist-to-GDSII) activities.
- Perform floorplanning, placement optimization, clock tree synthesis, routing, and crosstalk avoidance for complex designs.
- Implement physical design for hierarchical, low-power, multi-mode, multi-corner mixed-signal designs.
- Drive timing closure and sign-off flow execution across STA, formal equivalence, parasitic extraction, power integrity, and physical verification.
- Apply and verify UPF and low-power design practices throughout the physical design flow.
- Develop and maintain automation and scripts to improve PD flows.
- Collaborate with geographically distributed teams and provide technical leadership to achieve design goals.
- Participate in design reviews and provide guidance on implementation risks and mitigations.
- Travel as needed (0%–25%).
Requirements
Key required skills, tools, and experience.
- Hands-on experience across physical design flows, including placement, routing, CTS, and physical verification.
- Advanced knowledge of place-and-route methodologies, VLSI timing principles, clock structures, and timing closure techniques.
- Experience with sign-off tools for static timing analysis, formal equivalence, parasitic extraction, power integrity, and physical verification.
- Practical experience with UPF and low-power design implementation in physical flows.
- Daily use of ICC/ICC2 or Cadence Innovus preferred.
- Experience with 40nm or 28nm technologies required; 16nm or smaller preferred.
- Proficiency in Tcl and Perl scripting for CAD flow automation.
- Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering required (mentioned with the role's experience requirement of 10+ years).
About the Company
Company: Microchip
Headquarters: Chandler, Arizona, USA
Microchip is a leading semiconductor company focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance the human experience. With a commitment to empowering innovation, Microchip prioritizes the value of its employees by fostering a culture that supports their growth and contributions.
