Integrated Circuit Backend/Physical Design Engineer

Battelle; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 86,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed schedule

Hybrid work model (60% in-office, 40%-

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle's Advanced Microsystem Solutions unit in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a Backend/Physical Design Engineer to drive physical design implementation from netlist through tape-out for advanced digital ICs and SoCs.

The role requires hands-on experience with STA, power optimization, timing closure, and backend EDA tools, including Cadence Innovus, across multiple technology nodes.

Qualifications

• Must have formal education in electrical/computer engineering.
• Experience with physical design flow from floorplanning to tape-out.

Responsibilities

• Execute physical design implementation from netlist to GDSII.
• Perform floor planning, power planning, and pin placement.
• Conduct placement optimization and clock tree synthesis (CTS).
• Perform detailed routing and optimization for timing, power, and area.
• Achieve timing closure across corners and modes.
• Conduct power analysis and implement power reduction techniques.
• Perform signal integrity analysis and resolve SI/IR drop violations.
• Execute physical verification checks (DRC, LVS, antenna, ERC).
• Generate timing constraints and perform static timing analysis.
• Collaborate with front-end design and verification teams.
• Work with foundry and technology teams on design rule compliance.
• Create and maintain physical design documentation and reports.
• Develop and improve physical design methodologies and flows.
• Support signoff activities and tape-out preparations.
• Debug and resolve design issues found during physical verification.

Skills

Physical design

Timing closure

Power optimization

Static Timing Analysis

Scripting TCL/Python

Git/version control

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Cadence Innovus

Job description

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

Battelle's Advanced Microsystem Solutions Business Line develops advanced integrated circuit technologies and hardware assurance solutions for government and commercial customers. We are seeking a Backend/Physical Design Engineer to support implementation and signoff of advanced digital integrated circuits and systems-on-chip (SoCs) in our Columbus, Ohio location.

The successful candidate will be responsible for physical design implementation, timing closure, power optimization, physical verification, and tape-out activities across advanced semiconductor technologies. The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard backend design tools, static timing analysis, signal integrity analysis, and physical design methodologies.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge microelectronics programs focused on secure and high-performance computing technologies while collaborating closely with RTL design, verification, foundry, and technology teams.

Responsibilities

• Execute physical design implementation from netlist to GDSII
• Perform floor planning, power planning, and pin placement
• Conduct placement optimization and clock tree synthesis (CTS)
• Perform detailed routing and optimization for timing, power, and area
• Achieve timing closure across corners and modes
• Conduct power analysis and implement power reduction techniques
• Perform signal integrity analysis and resolve SI/IR drop violations
• Execute physical verification checks (DRC, LVS, antenna, ERC)
• Generate timing constraints and perform static timing analysis
• Collaborate with front-end design and verification teams
• Work with foundry and technology teams on design rule compliance
• Create and maintain physical design documentation and reports
• Develop and improve physical design methodologies and flows
• Support signoff activities and tape-out preparations
• Debug and resolve design issues found during physical verification

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of physical design experience
• Strong experience in physical design flow (floor planning, placement, clock tree synthesis, routing, optimization)
• Expertise in static timing analysis (STA) and timing closure techniques
• Knowledge of power analysis and power optimization methodologies
• Experience with signal integrity, IR drop analysis, and EM/electromigration analysis
• Proficiency with physical verification (DRC, LVS, antenna, ERC)
• Hands-on experience with industry-standard backend EDA tools (Cadence Innovus)
• Scripting skills (TCL, Python) for automation and flow development
• Understanding of process technology nodes and design rules
• Knowledge of clock domain crossing (CDC) and timing constraints
• Familiarity with standard cell libraries and design kits
• Knowledge of Version Control (Git)
• Must be a US citizen and able to obtain and maintain US Government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced technology nodes
• Experience with ASIC subsystem integration, top-level assembly, IO ring development, manual layout, and coordination of physical implementation activities through signoff and tapeout.
• Low power design techniques (power gating, multi-voltage, retention)
• FinFET or Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology experience
• High-speed design and advanced packaging knowledge
• Multi-corner multi-mode (MCMM) timing analysis
• Experience with 3D IC or chiplet design
• Knowledge of extraction tools and parasitic analysis
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Yield (DFY) techniques
• Understanding of thermal analysis and heat dissipation
• Familiarity with advanced packaging (2.5D, 3D, chiplet integration)
• Experience with assured microelectronics and hardware security principles (cryptography, side-channel, fault injection, radiation tolerance, hardware CWEs, etc.)
• Active Secret or Top-Secret security clearance

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $86,400 – $123,100 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off - giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers