At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of cutting-edge chips, from planning to final sign-off.
- Company: Join Fractile, a pioneer in AI innovation, transforming technology with speed and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of AI and technology.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in physical design; expertise in EDA tools and low-power methodologies required.
- Other info: Work in London or Bristol and collaborate with top engineers in the field.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer
London – Hybrid
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\’re 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’ 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.
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Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London or Bristol employer: Fractile Ltd
Contact Detail:
Fractile Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London or Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in AI and semiconductor technology. Understanding the current trends and innovations in these fields will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your passion for the industry during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the physical design and AI sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about unadvertised job opportunities. Personal connections can often lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with EDA tools by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source initiatives. This hands-on experience can be a great talking point in interviews and demonstrates your practical skills in a real-world context.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on key concepts related to physical design, such as timing analysis and low-power design techniques. Practising problem-solving scenarios can help you articulate your thought process effectively during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer London or Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in physical design, particularly with ASIC/SoC designs. Emphasise your proficiency with EDA tools and any specific projects that showcase your skills in timing analysis and power optimisation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for AI and innovation. Mention how your background aligns with Fractile's mission and the specific responsibilities of the Senior/Principal Physical Design Engineer role. Be sure to include examples of past achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Technical Skills: In your application, clearly outline your technical skills, especially in scripting languages like TCL, Perl, or Python. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles to automate processes or improve design efficiency.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, include examples of successful collaborations in your application. Discuss how you’ve worked with logic design, verification, and process technology teams to achieve project goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fractile Ltd
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with EDA tools like Cadence Innovus and Synopsys ICC2. Highlight specific projects where you successfully implemented complex IC physical designs, focusing on your contributions to PPA optimisation.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly related to timing closure or power optimisation, and explain how you overcame them.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with logic design, verification, and DFT engineers. Share examples of how you effectively communicated and worked together to achieve project goals.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
In addition to technical skills, be ready for behavioural questions that explore your teamwork and communication style. Think of instances where you demonstrated leadership or contributed to a positive team dynamic, especially in high-pressure situations.