Physical Design Verification Manager, Annapurna Labs

Amazon Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 239,000 - 323,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon's Annapurna Labs in Cupertino seeks a Physical Design Verification Manager to lead the PDV team for AWS’s most complex SoCs, from floorplan to tape-out.

You will own end-to-end verification strategy, drive automation, mentor engineers, and collaborate across design, validation, and hardware teams to deliver reliable silicon.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in EE, CS, or a related field.
• 8+ years in physical verification and 5+ years leading engineers or budgets.
• Expertise in Calibre, IC Validator, or PVS.
• Experience scripting with Perl, Python or Tcl.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end physical verification strategy for AWS’s most complex SoCs (≥100M gates), from floorplan to tape-out.
• Define verification closure roadmap, resource allocation, and risk-mitigation plans for concurrent projects.
• Standardize industry-leading verification methodologies (Calibre, IC Validator, PVS) across the organization.
• Drive automation of runsets, reporting, and debug flows using Python/Perl scripts; reduce manual effort by ≥40%.
• Lead a team of 3–5 Sr. PDV Engineers, setting goals, conducting quarterly reviews, and career-pathing.

Skills

Calibre

IC Validator

PVS

Perl

Python

Tcl

Leadership

Team building

Education

BS in EE/CS

MS in EE/CS

Job description

Annapurna Labs (our organization within AWS Utility Computing) designs silicon and software that accelerates innovation. Customers choose us to create cloud solutions that solve challenges that were unimaginable a short time ago—even yesterday. Our custom chips, accelerators, and software stacks enable us to take on technical challenges that have never been seen before, and deliver results that help our customers change the world.

Custom SoCs (System on Chip) live at the heart of AWS Machine Learning servers. As a member of the Cloud-Scale Machine Learning Acceleration team you’ll be responsible for the design and optimization of Silicon and Hardware in our data centers including AWS Inferentia, Trainium Systems (our custom designed machine learning inference and training datacenter servers). Our success depends on our world-class server infrastructure; we’re handling massive scale and rapid integration of emergent technologies.

We’re looking for a Physical Design Verification Manager to join our backend team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading our Physical Design Verification Team by owning the end‑to‑end physical verification strategy for AWS’s most complex SoCs (≥100M gates), from floorplan to tape‑out.

Key job responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end physical verification strategy for AWS’s most complex SoCs (≥100M gates), from floorplan to tape‑out
• Define verification closure roadmap, resource allocation, and risk‑mitigation plans for concurrent projects
• Standardize industry‑leading verification methodologies (Calibre, IC Validator, PVS) across the organization
• Drive automation of runsets, reporting, and debug flows using Python/Perl scripts; reduce manual effort by ≥40%
• Lead a team of 3–5 Sr. PDV Engineers, setting goals, conducting quarterly reviews, and career‑pathing
• Mentor junior engineers on advanced‑node debug techniques, DFM, and reliability verification (IR drop, EM)
• Pilot next‑gen verification technologies (e.g., AI‑driven DRC, parallel cloud‑based LVS) to stay ahead of 5nm/3nm node complexities

About the team

Our team is dedicated to supporting new members. We have a broad mix of experience levels and tenures, and we’re building an environment that celebrates knowledge-sharing and mentorship. Our senior members enjoy one‑on‑one mentoring and thorough, but kind, code reviews. We care about your career growth and strive to assign projects that help our team members develop your engineering expertise so you feel empowered to take on more complex tasks in the future.

Diverse Experiences

AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

About AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee‑led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Work/Life Balance

We value work‑life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Mentorship & Career Growth

We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge‑sharing, mentorship and other career‑advancing resources here to help you develop into a better‑rounded professional.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Basic Qualifications

• BS + 10 yrs or MS + 9 yrs in EE, CS, or related field
• 8+ years in physical verification, 5+ years managing engineers or budgets
• Expertise in Calibre, IC Validator, or PVS
• Experience in scripting languages such as Perl, Python, or Tcl
• Experience building high‑performing teams and aligning cross‑functional priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced‑node expertise: 5nm, 4nm, or N4P experience—especially with AWS/N4P designs
• DFM & Reliability: Deep knowledge of IR drop, EM, ESD, and parametric yield analysis
• Publications: Technical papers or presentations at DAC, ISSCC, or internal AWS forums

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave.

USA, CA, Cupertino - 239,200.00 - 322,900.00 USD annually

USA, TX, Austin - 208,000.00 - 280,800.00 USD annually