Senior GPU Physical Design Engineer – Flow & PPA Expert

Samsung Electronics; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 151,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is seeking a Senior/Staff Physical Design Engineer to support physical design implementation for high-performance GPU IP at Samsung SARC/ACL in Austin.

You will contribute to floorplanning, placement, routing, and signoff across advanced nodes, collaborating with hardware and system teams to optimize PPA and reliability. The role emphasizes hands-on flow execution, scripting, and problem solving in a fast-paced, global environment, with opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, or 4+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 2+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with physical design implementation flows, including synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, and signoff support.
• Proficiency with Synopsys or Cadence toolsets (e.g., ICC2/Fusion Compiler or Innovus, PrimeTime/Tempus, StarRC).
• Strong scripting and automation skills in Python, TCL, Shell, or Perl.
• Familiarity with low-power implementation considerations, physical verification tools (Calibre/ICV), and deep submicron design challenges.
• Strong analytical and debugging skills, attention to details, and problem-solving ability using data-driven approach for complex flow or design issues.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and maintain ownership in a fast-paced, global environment.

Responsibilities

• You will execute physical design implementation, assisting with floorplanning, placement, and routing of major GPU blocks to support system-level power, performance, and area (PPA) goals through synthesis-to-signoff flows.
• You will support timing, power, and physical signoff activities, assisting with STA-driven optimization, DRC/LVS convergence, and reliability considerations across GPU blocks.
• You will advance methodology and flow improvements, developing scripts and automation to enhance design productivity, debug tool issues, and improve repeatability across projects.
• You will proactively seek collaboration with cross-functional teams and vendors, helping adapt physical design flows with hardware and system-level teams for cutting-edge nodes while supporting triage and resolution of implementation challenges.
• You take initiatives on moderate-to-complex projects, communicating openly, documenting analysis and results, demonstrating strong ownership and continuous learning mindset by staying ahead of emerging GPU technologies and physical design implementation.

Skills

Physical design

Synthesis to signoff

Scripting: Python/TCL

Timing closure

Power/area optimization

Debugging skills

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE or related field

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

Synopsys tools (ICC2/Fusion Compiler/Innovus)

Cadence tools (PrimeTime/Tempus, StarRC)

Job description

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is seeking a Senior/Staff Physical Design Engineer to support physical design implementation for high-performance GPU IP at Samsung SARC/ACL in Austin.

You will contribute to floorplanning, placement, routing, and signoff across advanced nodes, collaborating with hardware and system teams to optimize PPA and reliability. The role emphasizes hands-on flow execution, scripting, and problem solving in a fast-paced, global environment, with opportunities for growth