Physical Design Engineer, Machine Learning

Apple Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,400 - 277,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Employee stock programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Physical Design Engineer specialized in Machine Learning to advance our system-on-chip design flow.

You will apply ML to optimize RTL, floorplanning, place-and-route, timing, power, and thermal analyses, collaborating with CAD, power, and software teams across Apple. You will train, deploy, and manage models within production P&R flows, exploring agents and multi-agent loops to propose improvements and speed up design convergence.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 3+ years of industry experience in physical design or related field
• Experience with optimization algorithms and programming in Python or C/C++
• Academic or industry background in physical design

Responsibilities

• Apply ML and optimization to physical design flows (RTL, synthesis, floorplanning, place-and-route, timing, power, thermal analysis)
• Train and deploy models into production P&R flows to predict and optimize outcomes
• Build agentic systems and multi-agent orchestration for design optimization
• Experiment with ML methods including GNNs, transformers, diffusion models, reinforcement learning
• Collaborate with design, power, CAD, software and ML teams across Apple

Skills

Optimization algorithms

Python

C/C++

Physical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CS/related

Tools

EDA tooling scripting (Python/TCL)

Job description

Physical Design Engineer, Machine Learning

Come help us design the next generation of revolutionary Apple products. We are looking for an engineer who combines deep physical design expertise with hands‑on machine learning skills. In this role, you will work on our physical design machine learning efforts — building predictive models, optimization algorithms, and autonomous agents that collaborate with our internal design teams to help our SOCs achieve optimal Power, Performance, and Area (PPA).

Description

As a member of the Physical Design Machine Learning team, you will help build the most efficient application processors on the planet, powering the next generation of Apple products. Job responsibilities include:

• Applying machine learning and advanced algorithms to solve hard, high‑impact problems across the physical design flow: RTL and logic synthesis, floorplanning, place and route, timing/noise/power/thermal analysis, voltage drop, and design for manufacturing/yield
• Training and deploying models directly into production P&R flows to predict and optimize outcomes and speed up convergence
• Building tools and models designed to be used by agentic systems, as well as agents themselves, including autonomous or semi‑assisted optimization loops that propose, evaluate, and iterate on design changes through EDA tooling
• Working across the full spectrum of ML techniques, from traditional models and classical optimization to GNNs, reinforcement learning, and LLM‑based agents
• Collaborating cross‑functionally with design, power, post‑silicon, CAD, software, and machine learning teams in an engaging and rewarding environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum BS and 3+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience with optimization algorithms and programming in Python or C/C++
• Academic or industry experience in physical design

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical experience with a range of ML approaches including classical/traditional models, GNNs, transformers, diffusion models, and/or reinforcement learning
• Experience building agentic systems, LLM‑based agents, tool‑calling/function‑calling, multi‑agent orchestration, or autonomous decision‑making loops
• Experience integrating ML models or agents into EDA tool flows via scripting (Python/TCL) or APIs
• Master’s or PhD with relevant publications in Machine Learning and/or EDA algorithms
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Compensation & Benefits

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 $277,600, 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.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

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.

Accessibility

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.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace.

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.