Senior Layout Engineer

Job Title

Senior Layout Engineer

Role Summary

Work on layout development of Arm custom standard cells for sub-3nm process nodes in the Solutions Engineering Physical IP team. Deliver performance- and area-optimized, DRC/LVS-clean logic libraries for SoCs and custom digital IP.

Collaborate with circuit designers, automation, QA, and PDK teams to validate and integrate standard cells into digital flows.

Experience Level

Senior — 3+ years of custom layout experience in logic standard cell development (experience at 5nm/3nm/2nm preferred).

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include layout design, verification, debugging, and automation for standard-cell libraries.

• Design compact, PPA-optimized layouts for logic cells (inverters, muxes, flip-flops, complex gates).
• Translate schematics into clean, manufacturable layouts and support cell architecture trade-offs.
• Drive DRC and LVS closure and root-cause analysis using industry-standard verification tools.
• Handle cell abutment, profiling, pin accessibility, and integration constraints for libraries.
• Address layout-dependent effects, multi-patterning/EUV compliance, and advanced-node constraints.
• Review and prepare physical views (LEF, GDS, abstracts) for integration into flows.
• Support library validation, signoff-package creation, and delivery documentation.
• Automate QA, regression checks, and PDK-driven verifications using scripts and flow automation.
• Collaborate with PDK, design, and QA teams during audits and delivery cycles.
• Use AI tools and automation to improve productivity and solution quality.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience:

• 3+ years in custom layout for logic standard cells; experience at 5nm/3nm/2nm with FinFET/GAA technologies.
• Proficiency with Cadence Virtuoso and physical verification tools/flows (DRC, LVS, Calibre-like tools).
• Strong knowledge of multi-patterning, advanced DRC rules, and layout-dependent effects.
• Experience optimizing cells for power, performance, and area; strong pin accessibility and cell integration skills.
• Scripting experience for automation (Python, PERL, SKILL, TCL) and familiarity with version control and configuration management.
• Strong documentation and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Nice-to-have:

• Exposure to physical design implementation flows.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

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.