CPU Physical Design Engineer

Company Overview

QT Technologies Ireland Limited, a part of Qualcomm, is seeking a skilled Physical Design Engineer to join its Engineering Group specialized in ASIC Engineering at the Cork, Ireland location. This role centers on leading physical implementation and sign-off processes for advanced, top-tier Snapdragon SOCs based on cutting-edge technology nodes.

Role Overview

The Physical Design Engineer will be involved in the complete array of tasks from floorplanning through to GDSII for high-performance CPU designs. This includes achieving stringent power, performance, and area (PPA) goals and innovating physical design methodologies to push these boundaries further. The role requires close collaboration across multiple teams to meet timing closure, power optimization, and integration requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply comprehensive expertise in computer architecture, microarchitecture, logic design, circuits, and physical design processes to develop and validate CPUs optimized for high-performance and low power consumption.
• Lead physical implementation workflows spanning from initial floorplanning to final GDS creation on complex, high-speed CPU designs.
• Engage in research and development of novel physical design methodologies aimed at enhancing PPA limits for future generations of CPUs.
• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams to understand design intricacies impacting physical implementation and performance metrics.
• Stay informed on industry trends and cutting-edge physical design techniques to ensure innovative and best practice-aligned solutions.
• Conduct advanced statistical and data-driven analyses to benchmark performance and diagnose potential design issues or enhancement opportunities.
• Coordinate inter-team efforts to ensure alignment on critical PPA targets, delivering designs that excel in innovation and compatibility with leading standards.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Over 7 years of experience in physical design engineering, specifically focused on CPU design projects.
• Comprehensive evaluation of design processes from architecture conception to product launch including pre-silicon design, verification, and post-silicon validation phases.
• Proficiency in generating detailed technical documentation, covering feature descriptions, architectural plans, verification strategies, and implementation specifics.
• Deep knowledge of the full physical design flow including floorplanning, power planning, placement, CTS, routing, and their corresponding optimization practices.
• Hands-on experience with advanced technology nodes (7nm and below) and associated physical design tools.
• Strong expertise in CLP/FV frontend processes with solid understanding.
• Specialization in clock tree synthesis (CTS) tailored for high-speed, low-power IC designs.
• Robust understanding of static timing analysis, timing closure methods, and trade-offs involving congestion, routing, and power management.
• Knowledgeable in power analysis and power integrity techniques.
• Familiarity with physical verification processes including Design Rule Checking (DRC) closure.
• Proficient in automation and scripting, specifically Perl and TCL, to develop and support physical design flows.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environments.

Minimum Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field plus a minimum of 4 years' experience in ASIC design, verification, validation or integration.
• OR Master's degree with at least 3 years' relevant experience.
• OR PhD with minimum 2 years applicable experience.
• Applicants with equivalent experience who demonstrate capacity to perform key job duties will also be considered.

Work Location

The position is based in Cork, Ireland, a vibrant economic hub with a cosmopolitan population and excellent international connectivity, featuring access to numerous global destinations via Cork airport.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Qualcomm is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request to support participation throughout the hiring process.

Employee Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and stock options.
• Maternity and paternity leave benefits.
• Employee stock purchase and pension matching schemes.
• Education assistance programs.
• Relocation and immigration support if applicable.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage including life, medical, income, and travel.
• Subsidised memberships promoting physical and mental wellness.
• Bicycle purchase assistance.
• Diverse employee-run clubs such as running, football, chess, and badminton.

Additional Information

The company urges candidates to adhere to confidentiality and security policies related to proprietary information. Staffing agencies are not authorized to submit applications on behalf of individuals and unsolicited resumes will not be accepted.