Silicon Physical Design Engineer

About Graphcore

Graphcore is a cutting-edge AI compute company combining expertise in semiconductors, software, and infrastructure at data center scale. Backed by the SoftBank Group's significant investment, we work on delivering advanced AI technologies into a growing ecosystem. We foster an environment where talented individuals can make a meaningful impact on AI's future by working collaboratively to overcome complex challenges.

Role Overview

We are seeking skilled Silicon Physical Design Engineers to join our exceptional team based in Cambridge. We welcome applications both from highly experienced candidates and from talented individuals with less background who demonstrate the right traits. The role demands strong teamwork, proactive collaboration, effective communication, adaptability, and a keen willingness to learn and innovate. Our engineers take ownership of their designs and work to improve our methodologies, infrastructure, and flows continually.

Team Environment

The Physical Design Team operates within the broader Silicon Design group, working closely with teams specializing in RTL, verification, DFT, as well as architecture, packaging, and product engineering. Together, they produce high-quality RTL and develop the final chip layout (e.g., GDSII), delivering signoff-quality designs ready for fabrication by foundries like TSMC.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilize advanced EDA tools and proprietary Graphcore flows to produce final, signoff-ready silicon designs.
• Improve and extend existing design flows and in-house tools or APIs to support new features and methodologies.
• Analyze and diagnose complex engineering challenges to drive effective solutions.
• Stay informed about emerging technical issues and apply knowledge to optimize internal flows and processes.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external contractors to ensure clear communication and enhance overall team productivity.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
• High self-motivation, ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Willingness to take responsibility for tasks and continuously develop professional skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities with a focus on root cause analysis.
• Proficiency in programming or scripting—especially in Tcl and Python—to address design challenges.
• Experience working with semiconductor technologies at 7nm node or smaller.
• Broad familiarity with physical design flows including floorplanning, budgeting, synthesis, place and route, clock tree synthesis (CTS), timing analysis, logical equivalence checking, and physical verification (DRC/LVS/ERC).

Preferred Skills and Expertise

• Deep expertise in specific segments of physical design flows.
• Experience optimizing build structures to maximize power, performance, and area (PPA).
• Understanding of silicon transistor technologies such as standard cell libraries and memory components.
• Knowledge of 2D and 3D chip design techniques, including CoWoS and UCIe.
• Exposure to high-speed, high-power, or full reticle chip design projects.
• Familiarity with interfaces such as Ethernet, PCIe, LPDDR, and HBM.
• Competence in power integrity and optimization strategies.
• Experience with advanced nodes such as 2nm or 3nm process technologies.
• Chip finishing capabilities, including pad ring design and chip-level LVS/DRC/ERC checks.
• Design-for-test methodologies.
• Team leadership and project planning experience.

Benefits

Graphcore provides a competitive remuneration package, flexible work arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits plan including ample annual leave, private medical insurance, health cash plans, dental coverage, pension matched up to 5%, life and income protection insurance. We also support generous parental leave and an employee assistance programme addressing health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement.

At our central Bristol office, employees enjoy diverse healthy snacks and a barista bar. We are dedicated to inclusivity and welcome candidates from varied backgrounds, committing to a supportive workplace for all. Reasonable interview accommodations are available upon request.