Staff Physical Design Engineer - Top-Level Timing & STA

Job Title

Staff Physical Design Engineer — Top-Level Timing & STA

Role Summary

Lead full-chip static timing analysis (STA) and timing signoff for advanced-node SoCs (5nm / 3nm / 2nm). Drive MMMC timing closure, develop and maintain timing constraints and hierarchical timing budgets, and coordinate with RTL, Physical Design, and Clocking teams to deliver tapeout-ready timing results.

Experience Level

Senior / Staff level — typically 7+ years of experience in STA, timing closure, and signoff for advanced semiconductor processes.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on end-to-end STA ownership, timing closure, and signoff for complex SoCs.

• Own full-chip STA across all modes and PVT corners and lead final timing signoff.
• Drive MMMC timing closure and convergence across hierarchical flows.
• Develop and maintain timing constraints and hierarchical timing budgets.
• Analyze setup/hold violations and execute ECOs to achieve closure.
• Assess crosstalk/SI and OCV/AOCV/POCV impacts on timing.
• Execute signoff using industry-standard tools and improve signoff methodologies for runtime and convergence.
• Collaborate with RTL, Physical Design, and Clock teams to debug top-level timing issues and improve QoR.
• Present timing closure status, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership.

Requirements

Key technical must-haves and useful additions.

• Must-have: Proven experience owning full-chip STA, MMMC closure, timing ECOs, and signoff for complex SoCs.
• Must-have: Strong skills in timing constraint development and hierarchical timing budgeting.
• Must-have: Practical experience with crosstalk/SI analysis and OCV / AOCV / POCV considerations.
• Must-have: Hands-on experience with Synopsys PrimeTime (PT / PT-SI) and Cadence Tempus.
• Must-have: Experience with advanced nodes (5nm, 3nm, 2nm).
• Must-have: Scripting proficiency in Tcl and Python; Perl experience preferred.
• Nice-to-have: Track record improving signoff methodologies, runtime, and convergence efficiency.
• Nice-to-have: Strong cross-functional leadership and communication for multi-team integration.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: Technology Navigators

Headquarters: Austin, TX, USA

Technical staffing firm based in Austin, Texas, specializing in recruiting skilled technologists for project-oriented consulting and contract positions since 1999.