Senior/Staff CPU Physical Design Engineer - High-Performance Compute / Semiconductors

European Tech Recruit; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit in Cambridge seeks a Senior/Staff CPU Physical Design Engineer to own block-level implementation for next-generation high-performance CPU cores used in compute servers. This permanent, on-site role requires collaboration across RTL, architecture, CAD and post-silicon teams.

You will drive timing closure, physical convergence across modes and corners, while debugging issues in timing, power integrity, IR drop, EM, DRC/LVS, and develop robust flows and automation to improve

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in CPU physical design covering RTL/netlist to GDS.
• Strong STA and timing closure understanding with PPA trade-offs.
• Hands-on use of leading EDA tools and scripting for flows.

Responsibilities

• Own or contribute to CPU block implementation from RTL/netlist to GDS.
• Drive timing closure and physical implementation convergence across modes, corners, and operating conditions.
• Debug and resolve complex implementation issues across timing, congestion, clocking, IR drop, power integrity, EM, and DRC/LVS.
• Collaborate with RTL, architecture, circuits, CAD, SoC, and post-silicon teams to improve design quality and PPA.
• Develop and enhance physical design flows, automation, and methodologies.

Skills

Physical design

Timing closure

Synthesis

Floorplanning

Place & route

Scripting

Tools

Genus

Innovus

Fusion Compiler

PrimeTime

Tempus

Voltus

RedHawk

Job description

Senior/Staff CPU Physical Design Engineer - High-Performance Compute / Semiconductors

We are partnered with a global leader in semiconductor and wireless technology innovation. The team is looking to hire a Senior or Staff Server CPU Physical Design Engineer to own block-level physical implementation for next-generation, high-performance custom CPU cores targeting advanced compute and server-class platforms.

This is a permanent, fully onsite opportunity based in Cambridge, UK.

Key responsibilities for this CPU Physical Design Engineer position

• Own or contribute to CPU block implementation from RTL/netlist to GDS
• Drive timing closure and physical implementation convergence across multiple modes, corners, and operating conditions.
• Debug and resolve complex implementation issues across timing, congestion, clocking, IR drop, power integrity, EM, and DRC/LVS.
• Collaborate with RTL, architecture, circuits, CAD, SoC, and post-silicon teams to improve design quality and PPA.
• Develop and enhance physical design flows, automation, and methodologies.

Key requirements

• Strong experience in physical design — synthesis, floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, timing closure, ECOs, and signoff.
• Solid understanding of STA and timing closure methodologies, including PPA trade-offs.
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard EDA tools — Genus, Innovus, Fusion Compiler, PrimeTime, Tempus, Voltus, RedHawk, or equivalent.
• Scripting experience in TCL, Python, or Perl.
• Experience on CPU cores, advanced nodes (7nm and below), or low-power design techniques advantageous.

Keywords: Server CPU Physical Design Engineer / Physical Design / Place & Route / Floorplanning / CTS / Timing Closure / STA / ECO / Synthesis / Innovus / Fusion Compiler / PrimeTime / Tempus / Voltus / RedHawk / DRC / LVS / Low Power / CPU / High Performance Compute / Advanced Nodes / TCL / Python