CAD Physical Design Engineer

APPLE; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple's CAD Hardware team is seeking a PNR-CAD engineer to contribute to design automation for chip flows across floorplanning, clocking, routing, and signoff utilities.

You will work hands-on with teams across the world to develop scalable PD flows, improve design efficiency, and apply GenAI methods to optimize P&R tasks. A degree in EE or CS and scripting skills are essential; experience in ASIC P&R is preferred.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Experience in ASIC P&R and flow development.
• Strong TCL/Python scripting and GenAI implementation experience.
• Familiar with design signoff issues.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on work across the design cycle, from infrastructure automation to PD flow development.
• Develop and support PD flows for floorplanning, clocking, optimization, and routing.
• Create custom route utilities and power-grid/eco implementations, plus signoff verification scripts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams worldwide to improve PD productivity.

Skills

ASIC P&R

TCL scripting

Python scripting

GenAI methods

floorplanning

clocking

placement

routing

signoff flows

Education

BSc/MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

LLM/GenAI tools

Job description

Summary

Posted: 09 Jun 2026

Role Number: 200667400-1251

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Multifaceted, amazing people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product! Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple's customers every single day. Apple's CAD Hardware team are responsible for automating processes in designing Apple's chips which power everything from Apple Watch and Apple TV to iPhone and iPad. We have outstanding career opportunities for engineers interested in applying their software knowledge towards developing Apple's ground breaking methodologies. Working among the industry's best, we’re looking for those with talent and ambition to innovate the way we design computer chips, to provide the next technological leap and improve customer experiences.

As a PNR-CAD team member, you will have an impact a wide range of activities and domains in the PD world, The team develops and supports utilities that enable efficient work environment for the physical design teams across the world. The role includes exploring new technologies and methodologies of first of its kind designs, complex implementation of designs from small ones to largest possible. The job includes hands‑on work & impact on all layers of the design cycle, from infrastructure related automation for design efficiency through developing internal pnr flows which will enable efficient designs - floor‑planning, clocking & optimization, custom route utilities, power grid creation & eco implementation, through developing signoff flows & verification scripts. The job includes constant work with different teams and disciplines that interface with the PNR world, that includes Timing, power delivery, synthesis, Physical Verification and more. Along with the different discplines you will work with different teams, from vendors, pd team members and other CAD team members and discpline owners across the world to enable and improve the productivity of the PD flows.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc/MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Preferred Qualifications

• Few years of experience in ASIC P&R and flow development
• Experience with all aspects of ASIC physical design including floorplanning, power-distribution, multi-voltage design, placement, CTS, and routing.
• Strong TCL/Python scripting skills and LLM/GenAI implementation methods. Candidate should have experience developing complex algorithms, managing, and regressing P&R flows.
• Candidate should be familiar with design signoff issues.

At Apple, we're not all the same. And that's our greatest strength. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we've experienced and how we think. Because to create products that serve everyone, we believe in including everyone. Therefore, we are committed to treating all applicants fairly and equally. As a registered Disability Confident employer, we will work with applicants to make any reasonable accommodations. Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal backgrounds in a manner consistent with applicable law. Learn more

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