Design Automation Engineer - Neuromorphic Computing

Intel; Hillsboro (OR); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock bonuses

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Intel is seeking an experienced design automation engineer to push the boundaries of neuromorphic silicon at Loihi. You will shape tool flows across front-end design, physical implementation, verification, and FPGA emulation, collaborating with RTL, QA, and physical teams to drive innovation.

Applicants should bring a strong software background, familiarity with asynchronous design, and a willingness to learn AI-driven automation.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and 4+ years OR Masters and 2+ years of experience in developing and deploying production quality tools for silicon design.
• 4+ years of experience in developing and maintaining the entire ASIC tool suite (synthesis, place and route, ATPG, FEV, RV, STA, LVS/DRC).
• 4+ years of experience with scripting languages such as Perl, TCL, Python, etc.
• 2+ years of experience in delivering multiple silicon tape-outs.

Responsibilities

• Enhance and maintain Loihi's asynchronous EDA tool flow by implementing design automation algorithms, software tools, utilities, and regression tests.
• Support RTL designers, verification engineers and physical design engineers by providing automated solutions to achieve product quality and target KPIs.
• Enable early SW development by setting up a scalable framework mapping silicon designs in simulation and emulation.
• Write custom scripts to manipulate synthesis and physical design tools for low power/high performance designs.

Skills

Python

Perl

TCL

SystemVerilog

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Synthesis tools

Place & Route tools

ATPG

FEV

RV

LVS/DRC

Python scripting

Job description

Job Details:

Job Description:

The Opportunity For nearly a decade, Intel's Neuromorphic Computing Lab-together with a global ecosystem of 250+ research groups-has explored architectures, algorithms, and software inspired by the brain's extraordinary efficiency, scalability, and adaptability. Our Loihi series of research chips pioneered event-driven, sparse, and massively parallel neuro-inspired processing, fueling over 100 peer-reviewed publications that validate the promise of this novel approach. Now, we're entering an exciting new chapter: transforming these breakthroughs into real-world products that will power the coming era of physical AI systems-beyond the reach of GPUs and mainstream AI accelerators. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of computing, from transistor-level innovation to software abstractions, join us. Help define the next wave of AI technology that harnesses the proven advantages of Intel's neuromorphic computing technology with the versatility demanded by modern AI workloads.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced design automation engineer passionate about driving innovation at the intersection between emerging semiconductor technology, physical AI and novel computing paradigms. Loihi's silicon design flow is unique in the industry combining high-performance asynchronous design methods with standard EDA tools for silicon implementation. You will help pioneer the tool flows and automation methods required to bring these novel designs from concept to silicon, developing new capabilities spanning front-end design, physical implementation, verification, and FPGA-based emulation. Candidates should be familiar with the entire silicon design lifecycle and adapt to the requirements of our custom flow. A strong software background and an openness to learning new technologies and methodologies, such as asynchronous design, is essential. Experience with the latest AI-driven automation, agentic engineering assistants, and generative AI development tools is expected and will be a key contributor to success in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Enhance and maintain Loihi's asynchronous EDA tool flow by implementing design automation algorithms, software tools, utilities, and regression tests.
• Support RTL designers, verification engineers and physical design engineers by providing automated solutions to achieve product quality and target KPIs.
• Enable early SW development by setting up a scalable framework mapping silicon designs in simulation and emulation.
• Write custom scripts to manipulate synthesis and physical design tools for low power/high performance custom designs.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelors and 4+ years OR Masters and 2+ years of experience in developing and deploying production quality tools, flows and methods for silicon design.
• 4+ years of experience in developing and maintaining the entire ASIC tool suite. E.g. synthesis, place and route, ATPG, FEV, RV, STA, LVS/DRC.
• 4+ years of experience with scripting languages such as Perl, TCL, Python, etc.
• 2+ years of experience in delivering multiple silicon tape-outs.

Preferred qualifications:

• Strong System-Verilog/System-C/Object Oriented Programming background.
• Experience with large scale FPGA platforms like HAPS and/or emulation frameworks like ZeBu.
• 1+ year of experience using AI tools for setting up tool flows, debugging and improving overall productivity.

Job Type:

Experienced Hire

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:

US, Oregon, Hillsboro

Additional Locations:

US, Arizona, Phoenix, US, California, Folsom, US, California, Santa Clara, US, Texas, Austin

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust:

N/A

Benefits:

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel .

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US:

$122,440.00-232,190.00 USD

Work Model for this Role:

This role will be eligible for our hybr