CPU Physical Design Engineer

Intel is shaping the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world. Our work in pushing forward fields like AI, analytics, and cloud-to-edge technology is at the heart of countless innovations. With a career at Intel, you'll have the opportunity to use technology to power major breakthroughs and create enhancements that improve our everyday quality of life. Join us and help make the future more wonderful for everyone.

Life at Intel

As a member of Intel's CPU development team, you will have a front seat in designing the latest core IP to power cutting edge compute processors across client, server, AI fields.

We innovate state of the art microprocessor architecture on the most advanced and latest process technologies with a focus on power efficiency. Our core designs are present in nearly all segments of Intel's compute roadmap.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performs physical design implementation of custom CPU designs from RTL to GDS to create a design database that is ready for manufacturing.

• Conducts all aspects of the CPU physical design flow including synthesis, place and route, clock tree synthesis, floor planning, static timing analysis, power/clock distribution, reliability, and power and noise analysis.

• Conducts verification and signoff including formal equivalence verification, static timing analysis, reliability verification, static and dynamic power integrity, layout verification, electrical rule checking, and structural design checking. Analyzes results and makes recommendations to improve current and future CPU microarchitectures closely collaborating with logic, circuit, architecture, and design automation teams.

• Possesses CPU specific expertise in various aspects of structural and physical design, including physical clock design, timing closure, coverage analysis, multiple power domain analysis, structured placement, routing, synthesis, and DFT.

• Works intimately with industry EDA vendors to build and enhance tool capabilities to design a highspeed, low power synthesizable CPU.

• Optimizes CPU design to improve product level parameters such as power, frequency, and area. Participates in the development and improvement of physical design methodologies and flow automation.

• Bachelors in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related field with 3+ years of relevant work experience or M.S. in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related field (or higher degree) with 2+ years of relevant work experience. 

• 2+ years' experience in Synthesis of a digital logic block or partition.

2+ years of experience in each of the following:

• Experience with integrated circuit design tools (ex: Synopsys/Cadence), including logic synthesis, place and route, static timing analysis and design closure.

• PV convergence (such as static timing and power analysis).

• Chip physical design verification including formal equivalence, electrical rules, DRC/LVS, and Noise flow.

• TCL Scripting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior work of sole responsibility for a CPU block synthesis and PNR.

• Knowledge with Physical design best known practices concerning floor-planning, routing techniques, clock distribution.

• At least 1 Completion of Tape Out on advanced technologies.

• Knowledge of Static Timing Analysis, Noise analysis, and reliability verification techniques.

• Knowledge of RTL to GDS methodologies and formal equivalence

• Experience performing CPU level timing analysis and optimization, ensuring designs meet functional and performance requirements.

• Experience generating and verifying timing constraints while addressing timing violations at the chip or block level for CPU cores.

• Experience working closely with the clocking team and full-chip designers to balance timing fixes, power delivery, clocking, and partitioning.

Benefits at Intel

Our total rewards package goes above and beyond just a paycheck. Whether you're looking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals. Go to Intel Benefits | Intel Careers for details of benefits available to you. Intel reserves the right to modify, change or discontinue benefit plans at any time in its sole discretion.