Senior Time Constraints Engineer

Arm Limited; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading semiconductor company in Cambridge is looking for a Senior Engineer to manage timing constraints and synthesis for complex SoCs. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and validating SDCs, driving synthesis towards optimal PPA, and ensuring robust timing closure in collaboration with various teams. Strong experience with SDC development and synthesis tools, as well as excellent scripting skills, are vital for this role. This position offers a hybrid work model and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and validating timing constraints for complex SoCs.
• Proficiency in driving synthesis processes for optimal performance, power, and area.
• Ability to perform logic equivalence checks for RTL and netlist.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop timing constraints and synthesis flows.
• Collaborate with design teams for robust timing closure.
• Support signing off and timing debug processes.

Skills

SDC development

Synthesis (DC/FC/Genus)

LEC proficiency (Formality/Conformal)

Digital design understanding

STA expertise (PrimeTime/Tempus)

Scripting (Tcl/Python)

ARM or 3rd-party IP integration

Tapeout experience

Job description

Job Summary

Seeking a Senior engineer to own timing constraints and synthesis for complex SoCs. You will develop and validate SDCs, drive synthesis for best PPA, perform LEC for RTL/netlist equivalence, and collaborate with design, architecture, IP, and physical teams to ensure robust timing closure and high-quality deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain block- and top-level timing constraints (SDC).
• Drive synthesis flows to meet PPA targets.
• Perform LEC to ensure RTL-to-gate equivalence.
• Define timing exceptions with design, architecture, and IP teams.
• Work with technology/PD teams to integrate node-specific constraints.
• Identify and communicate timing‑critical paths to front‑end teams.
• Support implementation and signoff teams in timing debug.
• Review final chip‑level STA reports and contribute to signoff.
• Improve timing, synthesis, and LEC methodologies and automation.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Deep SDC development experience.
• Hands‑on synthesis (DC/FC/Genus).
• LEC proficiency (Formality/Conformal).
• Solid digital design and CDC understanding.
• Strong STA expertise (PrimeTime/Tempus).
• Strong scripting (Tcl/Python).
• Experience with ARM or 3rd‑party IP integration.
• Prior tapeout and timing‑closure experience.

Nice to Have skills and experience

• Physical‑aware or topographical synthesis.
• Low‑power (UPF/CPF) flows.
• Advanced node experience (≤5nm).
• AOCV/POCV and statistical timing knowledge.
• DFT timing constraints experience.
• CDC/RDC analysis tool familiarity

Accommodations at Arm

At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail]. To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.

Hybrid Working at Arm

Arm’s approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face to face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team’s needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.

Equal Opportunities at Arm

Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.