CPU Synthesis CAD Engineer

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 198,700 - 298,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual discretionary bonus

Opportunity for annual RSU grants

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Qualcomm is seeking a CPU Synthesis CAD engineer in Santa Clara, California. The role includes developing high-performance synthesis tools to enhance power and efficiency in CPU designs. Ideal candidates have 8+ years of experience in synthesis and a strong command of Tcl and Python.

The position demands advanced knowledge of micro-architecture and a proven ability to manage synthesis flows effectively. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are crucial for this role.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in synthesis and place-and-route of high-performance chips.
• Experience with advanced technology nodes (5nm or lower).
• Proven track record of managing and regressing synthesis flows.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and release new features in our high-performance synthesis CAD flow.
• Architect and recommend methodology improvements to ensure best-in-class power, performance, and area.
• Write and review detailed technical documentation for highly complex CPU designs.

Skills

Tcl

Python

Synthesis tools like Cadence Genus

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary

Our mission is to reimagine silicon and create computing platforms that will transform the industry. You will have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and passionate engineers in the world to create designs that push the envelope on performance, energy efficiency, and scalability. As a CPU Synthesis CAD engineer, you will build and support the world’s best synthesis and implementation tools and flows to ensure our custom CPUs have industry-leading power, performance, and area.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and release new features in our high-performance synthesis CAD flow
• Architect and recommend methodology improvements to ensure best-in-class power, performance, and area
• Maintain, support, and debug synthesis and implementation flows, and resolve project-specific issues
• Work closely with worldwide CPU physical design teams and provide synthesis methodology guidance
• Work with EDA vendors to define roadmaps and resolve synthesis tool issues

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in synthesis and place‑and‑route of high‑performance chips
• High level of proficiency in Tcl as well as Python
• Experience with automation
• Experience with front‑end tasks including logic and physical synthesis, LEC, UPF, and front‑end signoff
• Experience with advanced technology nodes (5nm or lower)
• Strong user of synthesis tools such as Cadence Genus or Synopsys Fusion Compiler
• Proven track record of managing and regressing synthesis flows

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Leverages advanced knowledge of computer architecture, micro‑architecture, logic design, circuits, and physical design
• Anticipates, identifies, and solves highly complex problems to ensure design completeness, power, and performance
• Collaborates with cross‑functional teams to define requirements, specifications, and trade‑offs
• Evaluates the design lifecycle from architecture definition through post‑silicon validation
• Writes and reviews detailed technical documentation for highly complex CPU designs

Level of Responsibility

• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Provides supervision and guidance to other team members
• Decision‑making significantly affects work beyond the immediate group
• Requires strong verbal and written communication skills
• Tasks require independent planning, problem‑solving, and prioritization

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits

$198,700.00 - $298,100.00. The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales‑incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑[e-mail] or call Qualcomm’s toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities.

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.