Principal Mid-End ASIC Engineer

Job Title

Principal Mid-End ASIC Engineer

Role Summary

Lead synthesis and mid-end implementation quality for an AI accelerator roadmap. Responsible for converting RTL into implementation-ready netlists, owning synthesis methodology, timing convergence, and logical optimization across teams and external partners.

Experience Level

Senior — Principal level. Requires extensive ASIC implementation experience; the role expects 12+ years of relevant experience and successful tapeouts.

Responsibilities

Primary duties focus on synthesis, timing closure, and cross-functional coordination.

• Define and maintain synthesis methodology and flows for current and future ASIC generations.
• Establish signoff criteria for synthesis deliverables and review QoR and timing reports.
• Perform hands-on synthesis using tools such as Cadence Genus and/or Synopsys Design Compiler.
• Develop and maintain SDC constraints, timing budgets, and constraint-driven optimizations.
• Drive logical timing closure and optimize netlists for area, power, and timing trade-offs.
• Collaborate with architecture and RTL teams to mitigate timing risks and make RTL implementation-friendly.
• Partner with backend/physical teams for physical-aware optimization and timing-driven fixes.
• Lead cross-functional and external-partner technical reviews to resolve issues rapidly.
• Apply AI and automation techniques to improve timing analysis and engineering productivity.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, tools, and experience.

• 12+ years of ASIC implementation experience with successful tapeouts.
• Proven expertise in synthesis methodology and flow development.
• Deep knowledge of timing closure for complex designs and SDC constraint development.
• Hands-on experience with Cadence Genus and/or Synopsys Design Compiler.
• Strong RTL design understanding and implementation-aware coding practices.
• Experience at advanced process nodes (5nm and below).
• Proficient in Tcl and Python scripting for automation and analysis.
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to lead technical discussions with internal teams and external partners.
• Nice-to-have: experience applying AI/ML to timing analysis or engineering automation.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: Positron AI

Positron AI designs custom hardware systems and SoC solutions to accelerate AI inference, focusing on high-performance, energy-efficient alternatives to traditional GPU-based inference platforms.