Applications Engineering, Sr Staff Engineer

Synopsys; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 136,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Annual bonus potential

Equity options

Job summary

Synopsys is seeking a Sr. Staff Applications Engineer in Austin, TX to lead RTL-to-GDS implementation efforts. You will work with top semiconductor customers, applying Fusion Compiler and AI-driven flows to optimize PPA, power, and area across advanced nodes.

You will mentor teams, shape our implementation roadmap, and contribute to technical training and customer engagements. A strong background in EDA and communication skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 12+ years of experience in semiconductor design, EDA, or physical implementation.
• Deep expertise in RTL-to-GDS implementation across synthesis, DFT, floorplanning, placement and optimization, CTS, routing, timing, and DFM closure on advanced nodes.
• Proven hands-on experience with Fusion Compiler in production or customer-facing roles.
• Strong experience driving methodology improvements using AI to hit aggressive PPA targets on complex designs.
• Advanced scripting in Tcl, Python, Unix, and Perl for automation and debugging.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to engage customers, sales teams, and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Solve complex PPA challenges using Synopsys' implementation technologies, including AI/ML-driven flows.
• Address low-power design and early power estimation challenges with state-of-the-art methods.
• Benchmark Synopsys solutions against competitive flows and deliver superior results.
• Develop, debug, and optimize synthesis and implementation methodologies for advanced technologies.
• Diagnose design and EDA tool issues and provide actionable customer solutions.
• Translate customer requirements into product improvements and influence roadmap decisions.
• Drive adoption of new features and releases to achieve best-in-class PPA results.
• Collaborate with R&D and product teams to shape next-generation implementation tech.
• Deliver training and guidance to accelerate customer adoption and success.

Skills

RTL-to-GDS implementation

Synthesis

DFT

Floorplanning

Placement and optimization

Clock Tree Synthesis

Routing

Power optimization

Timing

DFM closure

Fusion Compiler

AI/ML-driven implementation

Tcl

Python

Unix

Perl

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Synopsys Fusion Compiler

Job description

Applications Engineer, Sr. Staff Engineer

Job ID

18760

City

Austin

State/Province

Texas

Date Posted

10-Sep-2026

Job Category

Job Subcategory

Applications Engineering

Employee

Base Salary Range: $136000 - $ 204000

Descriptions & Requirements

Job Description and Requirements

We Are

Synopsys is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow.

Sr Staff Application Engineer (Physical Implementation)

Join a world-class Applications Engineering team at Synopsys and help shape the future of semiconductor design. We are seeking an experienced Physical Implementation Application Engineer with deep expertise in RTL-to-GDS implementation, synthesis, and place-and-route methodologies. In this highly visible role, you will work closely with leading semiconductor companies, influence product direction, and drive adoption of Synopsys’ industry-leading implementation solutions, including Fusion Compiler.

What You'll Do

Solve complex PPA (Performance, Power, Area) challenges using Synopsys’ latest implementation technologies, including AI/ML-driven implementation, Physical Synthesis, Place and Route (RTL to GDS).

Address advanced low-power design, and early power estimation challenges using state-of-the-art methodologies.

Demonstrate the value of Synopsys solutions by benchmarking against competitive implementation flows and delivering superior results.

Develop, debug, and optimize synthesis and implementation methodologies for advanced semiconductor technologies.

Diagnose design and EDA tool issues, providing actionable solutions that help customers achieve project success.

Translate customer requirements and technical findings into product enhancements, influencing future R&D investments and roadmap decisions.

Drive adoption of new technology features and EDA tool releases, enabling customers to achieve best-in-class PPA results.

Proactively identify customer challenges and develop innovative solutions to improve design productivity and outcomes.

Collaborate closely with Synopsys R&D and product teams to shape next-generation implementation technologies.

Serve as a trusted technical advisor, customer advocate, and Synopsys ambassador in customer engagements.

Deliver training, technical guidance, and methodology expertise to accelerate customer adoption and success.

Contribute to account strategy and planning by leveraging deep understanding of customer design challenges and business objectives.

Impact You'll Make

Accelerate customer tapeout schedules by resolving critical implementation bottlenecks that would otherwise delay production by weeks or months

Increase Fusion Compiler adoption and deployment success rates across your accounts, directly contributing to revenue growth and customer retention

Accelerate customer tapeout schedules by resolving critical implementation bottlenecks that would otherwise delay production by weeks or months

Customer success through expert technical guidance and innovative implementation solutions.

Troubleshoot and resolve complex design and tool challenges on mission-critical customer projects.

Partner with R&D to define technical requirements, validate enhancements, and influence product evolution.

Increase Fusion Compiler adoption and deployment success rates across your accounts, directly contributing to revenue growth and customer retention

Work closely with customers and sales teams to address business challenges, expand product adoption, and strengthen long-term partnerships.

Drive competitive displacement by demonstrating superior PPA outcomes and implementation efficiency.

Accelerate adoption of advanced technology nodes and next-generation EDA capabilities.

Strengthen Synopsys’ leadership position in physical implementation and semiconductor innovation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related with 12+ years of industry experience in semiconductor design, EDA, or physical implementation.

Deep expertise in RTL-to-GDS implementation, including Synthesis, DFT, Floorplanning, Placement and optimization, Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS), Routing, Power Optimization, Timing, DFM closure on advanced process nodes.

Proven hands‑on experience with Synopsys Fusion Compiler in a production design environment or customer-facing role.

Strong experience driving methodology improvements using AI to achieve aggressive PPA targets on complex designs.

Advanced scripting skills in Tcl, Python, Unix, and Perl for automation, methodology development, and debugging.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with customers, sales teams, and engineering organizations.

Why Join Synopsys?

• This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, collaborate with industry-leading customers, influence product direction, and help deliver the next generation of high-performance silicon solutions.

Rewards and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non-monetary offerings.

At Synopsys, we want talented people of every background to feel valued and supported to do their best work. Synopsys considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, military veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the base salary, this role may be eligible for an annual bonus, equity, and other discretionary bonuses. Synopsys offers comprehensive health, wellness, and financial benefits as part of a competitive total rewards package. The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of job-related factors, including location, skills, experience, and education. The base salary range for this role is across the U.S.