Principal / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer

Alphawave IP Inc; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company is seeking a Principal / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer to lead ASIC design and implementation. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior staff while leveraging advanced Synopsys tools and TCL scripting to innovate in physical design. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering along with at least 10 years of experience in ASIC design is required. The company offers a flexible work environment and comprehensive health benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive health plan

Wellness Spending Account

Flexible time off options

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave Top-Up Program

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on ASIC physical design experience.
• Expert-level knowledge of Synopsys design tools.
• Advanced TCL scripting skills to automate design flows.

Responsibilities

• Lead physical implementation flow from RTL handoff to GDS delivery.
• Collaborate with teams to align on design objectives.
• Mentor junior team members in best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Collaboration

TCL Scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Synopsys Fusion Compiler

Synopsys IC Compiler

Synopsys Design Compiler

Job description

Principal / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer page is loaded

Principal / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer

Apply locations Toronto time type Full time posted on Posted 30+ Days Ago job requisition id JR100792

The Opportunity

We're looking for the Wavemakers of tomorrow.

Alphawave Semi enables tomorrow’s future by accelerating the critical data communication at the heart of our digital world – from seamless video streaming to AI to the metaverse and much more. Our technology powers product innovation in the most data-demanding industries today, including data centers, networking, storage, artificial intelligence, 5G wireless infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. Customers partner with us for mission-critical data communication, our innovative technologies, and our proven track record. Together, we enable the next generation of digital technology.

What you'll do:

End-to-End ASIC Implementation

• Lead the physical implementation flow from RTL handoff and architectural definition to final GDS delivery.
• Collaborate with front-end designers to anticipate and resolve physical design challenges early in the design cycle.

Floorplanning & Power Planning

• Develop and optimize complex/unconventional floorplans, ensuring efficient placement, routing, and power distribution.
• Oversee power planning strategies to meet performance, power, and area (PPA) goals.

Tool Expertise & Automation

• Use Synopsys tools (e.g., Fusion Compiler, IC Compiler, Design Compiler) to perform place-and-route, STA, and sign-off checks.
• Develop and maintain advanced TCL scripts to automate design flows, improve efficiency, and reduce turnaround time.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the architectural, front-end, verification, and operations teams to align on design objectives, schedules, and deliverables.
• Provide mentorship to junior team members and guide best practices in physical design methodologies.

Technical Leadership & Project Management

• Serve as a subject matter expert on physical implementation strategies, offering guidance in design reviews and project planning.
• Identify potential design bottlenecks, propose solutions, and lead continuous process improvements.

What You'll Need:

• Education: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of hands-on ASIC physical design experience, including floorplanning, power planning, place-and-route, timing closure, and sign-off for advanced process nodes.
• Tool Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Synopsys design tools (e.g., Fusion Compiler, ICC2, Design Compiler), with a proven track record in successful tapeouts.
• Scripting Skills: Advanced TCL scripting skills to automate complex flows and enhance design productivity.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner with cross-functional teams—designers, verification engineers, and program managers—to drive design success from concept to tapeout.
• Leadership: Prior experience leading or mentoring teams.
• Problem-Solving: Solid understanding of physical design challenges—especially in unconventional or cutting-edge architectures—and ability to propose innovative solutions.

We have a flexible work environment to support and help employees thrive in personal and professional capacities.

You'll also be eligible for competitive benefits described as per below:

Health & Wellness

Our programs emphasize knowledge and prevention, helping you stay proactive and prepared to manage your health at every stage.

• Comprehensive health plan
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time Off

We value the importance of rest and recharge, which is why we offer flexible time off options to support your well-being.

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave Top-Up Program

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Alphawave Semi is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all applicants regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics. We value diversity and provide accommodations during the recruitment process.

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Alphawave Semi enables tomorrow’s future by accelerating the critical data communication at the heart of our digital world – from seamless video streaming to AI to the metaverse and much more. Our technology powers product innovation in the most data demanding industries today including data centers, networking, storage, artificial intelligence, 5G wireless infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. Customers partner with us for mission critical data communication, our innovative technologies, and proven track record. Together, we enable the next generation of digital technology.