Senior Physical Design Engineer
Intel CorporationJob Title
Senior Physical Design Engineer
Role Summary
The Senior Physical Design Engineer is an individual contributor responsible for block-level physical implementation of Hard-IP and testchip designs within established methodologies. The role delivers RTL/netlist-to-GDSII execution, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and maintains execution rigor and quality gates.
Experience Level
Senior level. Typical experience: approximately 5–8 years in physical design (expectation varies by degree—see Education Requirements).
Responsibilities
Execute block-level physical design tasks and drive closure to sign-off.
- Own block-level physical design from netlist handoff through GDSII under established methodologies.
- Perform floorplanning, power-intent setup, placement, clock-tree synthesis, routing, optimization, and ECO closure.
- Run and debug physical design flows in standard tool environments; develop automation to improve productivity.
- Support physical sign-off activities including DRC/LVS and directed IR/EM analysis.
- Analyze and improve QoR metrics (timing, power, area) for assigned blocks.
- Partner with Logic, STA, Analog Layout, and Methodology teams to resolve design issues.
- Follow defined execution standards, checklists, and quality gates.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and attributes.
- Hands-on experience with industry-standard VLSI physical design flows.
- Experience with Synopsys/Cadence physical design tools such as Fusion Compiler or Innovus.
- Experience with physical verification flows (ICV).
- Scripting skills in TCL and/or Python to support automation and flow debugging.
- Demonstrated ownership, execution discipline, and effective collaboration skills.
Nice-to-have: prior work on hard-IP or testchip projects, familiarity with STA workflows, or additional physical sign-off experience.
Education Requirements
BS degree with ~6–8 years of relevant physical design experience, or MS degree with ~5–7 years of relevant physical design experience. Candidates with equivalent practical experience, internships, or relevant coursework in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, VLSI, or related technical fields are also considered.
About the Company
Company: Intel Corporation
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA
Intel Corporation is a leading multinational technology company known for its innovative semiconductor solutions, including microprocessors, artificial intelligence accelerators, and memory products. Headquartered in the United States, Intel focuses on cutting-edge technology and a collaborative working environment, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to meet global demands. The company emphasizes professional development and aims to shape the future of technology through groundbreaking designs.
