Custom ERC/Power-Intent Automation CAD Engineer

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Employee stock purchase plan

Education reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Medical and dental coverage

Job summary

Apple Inc. in Sunnyvale seeks an engineer to develop, maintain, and enhance custom analog power‑intent methods and ERC checks for transistor‑level analysis. You will lead CAD flows for circuit recognition, netlist tracing, and power‑domain interactions, collaborating with layout, technology and EDA vendors.

You will guide a software team to build novel applications, drive validation, and ensure high‑quality results for analog, RF and mixed‑signal design workflows.

Qualifications

• Experience with ERC, circuit tracing or power intent tools.
• Industry internship, research position, or related experience.
• Led software development projects in an electrical engineering context.
• Strong scripting and automation skills for design needs.
• BS degree and 3+ years of relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop ERC (Electric Rules Checks) and Power Intent solutions.
• Support voltage-domain interactions and power flows with CAD teams.
• Collaborate with Custom Analog, Mixed-Signal, Digital, RF teams on checks.
• Validate ML-based CAD applications and evaluate external EDA solutions.

Skills

Perl

Python

TCL

SKILL language

C++

Shell

Education

BS degree

Tools

SVRF

Liberty/.lib

UPF/IEEE1801

Cadence Conformal LEC

Virtuoso Power Manager

Innovus

Synopsys Library Compiler

VCLP

Low Power verification

Job description

Interested in how Apple designs the world’s most advanced silicon? Want to write software that helps create the next generation of processors and enables the next astonishing Apple innovation? There's no telling what you could accomplish at Apple! We’re looking for an engineer who will bring passion for hardware and strong programming skills to our team of CAD engineers. You’ll develop, maintain and enhance custom analog power intent methodology and circuit ERC solutions for transistor level analysis on Analog, RF and mixed-signal designs.In this role, you will have the opportunity to directly influence the circuit design on various technology nodes and develop CAD flows for circuit recognition, topology identification, netlist tracing, power domain interactions, and analyze electrical rule checks. Your contributions will be instrumental in the analog, mixed-signal, and RF circuit design teams. You will lead and oversee efforts in developing and validating custom circuit checker flows, enhancing the custom design environment, validating checks, and conducting results analysis. As you collaborate with layout design, technology, and third-party EDA tool vendors, your expertise will be invaluable in driving innovation and ensuring the success of these initiatives.The successful candidate will excel in dynamic, collaborative working environments and exhibit a hands on, enthusiastic, self‑motivated approach, with a strong drive to succeed in challenging settings. If you are eager to tackle challenges with innovative solutions, deliver exceptional user experiences, and pay meticulous attention to detail, this role may be the perfect fit for you. As a member of our team, your contributions will directly impact the experiences of millions of Apple customers in delivering state of the art processors to the wide range of Apple products.

Description

In this highly visible role, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Developing innovative solutions on Circuit ERC (Electric Rules checks) or Power Intent analysis leveraging expertise on circuits and programming.
• Actively involving yourself in supporting ERC/Power Intent on voltage domain interactions like – supply gating mechanisms, isolation controls, level shifting, switch supplies, virtual domain interactions, power integrity etc.
• Closely collaborating with diverse design teams, including Custom Analog, Mixed-Signal, Digital, RF and more, to understand their needs and requirements on circuit ERC and power flows. Applying advanced techniques to address these requirements across multiple products and reduce duplicate design work.
• Working in tandem with other domain in CAD, Power, Technology teams to validate their ML-based applications, implement enhancements, and evaluate external vendor packages and solutions from EDA (Electronic Design Automation) providers and open-source.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in Electric Rules Checks (ERC), circuit tracing and/or experience on custom power intent tools, flows and methodology.
• Relevant internship, research position or industry experience.
• Experience leading industry electrical engineering‑focused software development project. Programming/scripting skills in Perl, Python, TCL, SKILL language, C++ or Shell. Ability to provide automations for rapid and dynamic design needs.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to collaborate well with cross‑functional teams.
• BS degree and 3+ years of relevant industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in understanding on the operating principles of common Analog, Digital/SRAM blocks, Spice Modeling in Nano CMOS technologies. Experience with custom Schematic/Layout tracing via SPICE/Open Access, power gating techniques, biasing, circuit topologies (power switches, level-shifter, iso), virtual/derived/multi-power domains, standard-cells would be helpful.
• -Hands on experience with SVRF, TCL, Liberty/.lib, UPF - IEEE1801, CPF formats with exposure on power intent domain and methodology is a plus.
• Exposure to industry low power tools, Siemens Calibre PERC; Cadence Conformal LEC, Virtuoso Power Manager, Innovus; Synopsys Library compiler, VCLP, Low Power verification is desirable.
• Knowledge of Cadence Virtuoso Framework with experience on front end Schematic composer will helpful. Background in SPICE simulation, SOA, device operating conditions, and knowledge of Post-layout extraction is a plus.
• Ability to drive a software development team to develop novel and complex applications

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.