Staff Engineer, Physical Design - High Speed Interconnects

As a Staff Physical Design Engineer (High-Speed Interconnects), you will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation of high-bandwidth Network-on-Chip (NoC) and Uncore subsystems. This is not a traditional "siloed" backend role; you will operate at the intersection of architecture, design and physical implementation. You will drive PPA (Power, Performance, Area) outcomes by influencing RTL structures and floorplanning strategies early in the design cycle. Your expertise in advanced process nodes and system-level data flow will be critical in delivering scalable, high-frequency IP that forms the backbone of our next-generation compute platforms.

Responsibilities - What You’ll Do

• End-to-End Implementation: Execute the full physical design flow (RTL-to-GDSII) for complex NoC and Uncore subsystems, ensuring timing closure and routability for interconnects.
• Architecture & PD Co-Design: Partner with RTL and Architecture teams to perform early-stage feasibility analysis. Identify physical bottlenecks in the microarchitecture and propose RTL restructuring, such as optimized pipelining or bus-width adjustments, to meet PPA targets.
• Advanced Floorplanning: Own hierarchical partitioning and macro placement. You will define the physical blueprint for massive die areas, optimizing pin assignments and global routing tracks to minimize latency across the fabric.
• Interconnect Problem Solving: Solve unique NoC challenges, including long-wire RC compensation, repeater strategy for global signals, and complex clock/reset distribution across hierarchies.
• Methodology Innovation: Develop and refine automated flows for hierarchical implementation. You will identify gaps in existing scripts and tools to improve turnaround time and design quality across multiple technology nodes.
• Technical Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to mid-level engineers, leading design reviews and establishing best practices for high-performance physical implementation.

Requirements - What You’ll Bring

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