Physical Design Engineer Job Description Overview
As a Physical Design Engineer in the Semiconductor/Engineering sector, you play a crucial role in the success of our company. Your contributions directly impact our ability to innovate, design cutting-edge products, and stay ahead in a competitive market. This position is pivotal for team collaboration as you work closely with various stakeholders, including design teams, project managers, and senior leadership, to achieve our company goals. The semiconductor industry is constantly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovation. Your role involves interfacing with key stakeholders such as product managers, architects, and manufacturing teams, placing you at the heart of our organizational structure. Success in this role is measured by your ability to meet project deadlines, optimize design performance, and adhere to quality standards set by key performance indicators (KPIs).
Key Responsibilities
- Project Planning and Execution: Your responsibilities include meticulously planning, scheduling, and executing projects to ensure timely delivery of high-quality designs that meet performance targets and cost constraints.
- Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: You are tasked with resolving complex design challenges, making critical decisions on design trade-offs, and optimizing designs for performance, power, and area.
- Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Engage with cross-functional teams such as RTL design, verification, physical verification, and backend teams to align design goals, methodologies, and ensure successful tape-outs.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Provide leadership by guiding junior team members, mentoring new hires, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the physical design team.
- Process Improvement and Innovation: Drive innovation by proposing and implementing process improvements, automation strategies, and adopting new design methodologies to enhance productivity and design quality.
- Technical or Customer-Facing Responsibilities: Engage in technical discussions with customers, provide design recommendations, and address customer requirements by translating them into feasible design solutions.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in tools like Cadence Innovus, Synopsys ICC, and experience with scripting languages such as TCL/Perl. Strong knowledge of physical design methodologies and flows.
- Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field. Additional certifications in physical design tools are a plus.
- Experience Level: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in physical design in the semiconductor industry. Experience in full chip implementation is preferred.
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability to changing project requirements, leadership qualities, and a collaborative mindset.
- Industry Knowledge: Understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, DRC/LVS checks, and familiarity with industry standards and compliance requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in similar semiconductor companies with a track record of successful tape-outs.
- Holding advanced certifications in physical design tools or leadership training programs.
- Familiarity with emerging trends like AI tools, automation in physical design, and knowledge of industry-specific technologies.
- Demonstrated experience in scaling operations, expanding into global markets, or driving process improvements in physical design.
- Active participation in industry conferences, speaker panels, or publications showcasing expertise in physical design.
- Additional foreign language proficiency for effective global collaboration.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience and expertise in physical design.
- Bonuses & Incentives: Performance-based bonuses, profit-sharing opportunities, and stock options based on individual and company performance.
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, along with wellness programs to support employee well-being.
- Retirement Plans: 401k plan with employer matching, pension schemes, and other retirement benefits.
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and personal days to promote work-life balance.
- Career Growth: Access to training programs, courses, mentorships, and professional development opportunities to nurture career advancement.
Application Process
Applying for the Physical Design Engineer position involves submitting your resume and cover letter through our online application portal. Our HR team will review applications and schedule a screening interview to discuss qualifications. Depending on the role, a technical and skills assessment may be required, followed by a final interview with the hiring manager to assess your fit for the position and company culture. Selected candidates will receive an official offer and begin the onboarding process to integrate seamlessly into our team.
