Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London

Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Fractile Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of next-gen chips, optimising performance and manufacturability.
  • Company: Join Fractile, a pioneer in AI innovation and technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on pushing technological boundaries.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology and make a significant impact.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in physical design with strong EDA tool proficiency.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Fractile’s mission is to enable a new chapter in the AI revolution. We’re pioneering AI innovation where hardware and software join to create something extraordinary, unlocking the power of the world’s largest language models with speed increases of x100. Our team is rapidly expanding, and we are searching for visionary engineers, scientists, and thinkers who share our passion for pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible. If you’re ready to join a dynamic group of innovators shaping AI's future, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer to contribute to our next-generation chip designs. As a Physical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation of complex IC physical designs, from synthesis to sign-off. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including logic design, verification, and process technology, to optimise performance, power, and area (PPA) while ensuring design integrity and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Drive the physical implementation of ASIC/SoC designs, including floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and sign-off.
  • Work on synthesis, timing analysis (STA), and optimisation to achieve the best PPA metrics.
  • Perform power planning and analysis, addressing IR drop, electromigration, and low-power design techniques.
  • Ensure design rule check (DRC), layout vs. schematic (LVS), and other physical verification compliance.
  • Collaborate with DFT engineers to integrate design-for-test (DFT) structures into the physical implementation.
  • Develop flows in EDA tools such as Cadence Innovus, Synopsys ICC2, Mentor Graphics Calibre, and others.
  • Interface with foundries and process engineers to ensure manufacturability and yield optimisation.
  • Work closely with RTL and architecture teams to drive design feasibility, constraints, and physical-aware RTL design.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in physical design for advanced technology nodes (e.g., 7nm, 5nm, or below).
  • Strong proficiency in EDA tools for place & route, STA, and sign-off.
  • Solid understanding of CMOS technology, semiconductor physics, and process limitations.
  • Experience with low-power design methodologies, power optimisation techniques, and multi-power domain architectures.
  • Expertise in timing closure, signal integrity, IR drop analysis, and formal verification.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages like TCL, Perl, or Python for automation.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills, communication, and teamwork in a collaborative design environment.
  • Experience in high-performance computing (HPC), AI accelerators, or networking chips.

Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London employer: Fractile Ltd

Fractile is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to work on groundbreaking AI technologies that are reshaping the industry. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions will directly impact the future of AI, all while enjoying the unique advantages of working in one of the world's most exciting cities.

Fractile Ltd

Contact Details:

Fractile Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal project that highlights your expertise in physical design. This is your chance to demonstrate what you can do beyond the CV, so make it shine!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss your past projects. Remember, confidence is key, so own your experience!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London

Physical Design Engineering
ASIC/SoC Design
Floorplanning
Placement
Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS)
Routing
Sign-off

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience with ASIC/SoC designs and EDA tools, as well as any relevant projects that showcase your skills in physical design and optimisation.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for AI and how your background aligns with our mission at Fractile. Don’t forget to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in physical design.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your proficiency in EDA tools and scripting languages. We want to see how you’ve used these skills in past projects, especially in relation to timing closure and power optimisation.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fractile Ltd

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of physical design principles, especially around ASIC/SoC designs. Be ready to discuss your experience with EDA tools like Cadence Innovus and Synopsys ICC2, as well as your understanding of timing analysis and power optimisation techniques.

Showcase Your Projects

Prepare to talk about specific projects you've worked on that relate to the job. Highlight your role in driving physical implementation, tackling challenges like IR drop or electromigration, and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve optimal PPA metrics.

Ask Smart Questions

Demonstrate your interest in the company by asking insightful questions about their current projects or future goals in AI innovation. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but are genuinely excited about contributing to their mission.

Be a Team Player

Since collaboration is key in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively in teams before. Share examples of how you’ve communicated with DFT engineers or interfaced with foundries to ensure manufacturability and yield optimisation.