Principal Physical Design Engineer

Job Title

Principal Physical Design Engineer

Role Summary

Lead physical design implementation and integration for Microsoft Cloud Hardware and Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE). The role focuses on delivering floorplanning, synthesis, placement, clocking, routing, signoff, and physical verification for block-to-full-chip designs that support Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.

Experience Level

Senior — typically requires 12+ years of relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

Implement and drive physical design activities across block, subsystem, sub-chip, and SoC levels. Provide technical leadership to meet schedule and quality targets.

• Perform floorplanning, synthesis, placement, CTS/custom clocking, routing, static timing analysis, and physical verification.
• Ensure signoff-quality results: timing, power (IR-drop, EM), and formal equivalency checks.
• Drive PD teams to meet milestones and deliverables at block/subsystem/sub-chip/SoC scope.
• Develop and improve physical design flows and automation; evaluate technology, IP, and vendor options.
• Report progress, risks, and issues clearly to program management and stakeholders.
• Occasional travel as required.

Requirements

Core technical and leadership capabilities required for the role.

• 12+ years of relevant physical design experience.
• Proven experience implementing and signing off physical designs at block/subsystem/sub-chip/SoC levels.
• Experience with tapeouts of complex ASICs in leading-edge process technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams to deliver physical-design objectives and meeting program milestones.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and ability to work with limited direction.
• Good communication skills for status reporting and cross-team coordination.
• Travel up to ~25%.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. The role specifies 12+ years of relevant experience in addition to the degree.

About the Company

Company: Microsoft

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States

Microsoft is a global technology company that develops and sells software, services, devices, and solutions. Known for its Windows operating system, Office suite, and Azure cloud platform, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations around the world to achieve more. The company fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, focusing on delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.