Senior Software R&D Engineer, VLSI Physical Design

NVIDIA Corporation; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA Corporation in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Senior Software R&D Engineer focused on VLSI Physical Design. You will implement and optimize chip placement, routing, and floorplanning tools, develop geometry and graph algorithms, and push ML-driven exploration.

You’ll work across CAD/EDA boundaries, enhancing visualization and designer insights while collaborating with design teams to deliver high-performance AI hardware.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• 6+ years in software development with C++ and CAD/VLSI hardware design.
• Experience with geometric algorithms, placement, routing, and graph theory; familiarity with ICC2 and Innovus.

Responsibilities

• Implement, optimize, and deploy chip placement, reshaping and route tools.
• Develop algorithms for computational geometry, placement, fast routing.
• Apply ML strategies to improve design space exploration.
• Enhance GUI for designer insight, debugging, visualization.
• Collaborate with design teams and extend tools beyond CAD/EDA.
• Contribute across the full process from opportunities to solutions.

Skills

Strong communication

C++ programming

Team collaboration

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

ICC2

Innovus

CAD tools

Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.

We are looking for a creative and passionate Senior Software R&D Engineer specializing in VLSI Physical Design. This role focuses on algorithms for placement, global routing, floorplanning, and optimizing physical design. You'll work on everything from computational geometry and placement to graph optimization and visualization. The software and tools you create will directly impact our ability to deliver next-generation architecture to the market. You'll be responsible for the logic that determines the physical layout, speed, and efficiency of the world’s most advanced AI chips. Your algorithms won’t just operate on hardware; they’ll define it. If you enjoy solving challenging problems and seeing your work come to life in the fastest AI hardware, this is the perfect role for you!

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Implement, enhance, optimize, and deploy new tools for chip level placement, reshaping and route optimization.
• Create innovative algorithms for computational geometry, placement, fast routing etc. to efficiently arrange the blocks in a chip.
• Develop and implement new machine learning strategies to improve efficiency of design space exploration.
• Improve designer insight, debugging and visualization by extending GUIs built.
• While we do write a lot of C++ code, our role goes beyond typical CAD or EDA positions.
• This team is responsible for the entire process, from finding and creating new optimization opportunities to developing solutions and working closely with design teams to make them happen.

What We Need To See:

• BS, MS, PhD or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
• Strength in both CAD software and VLSI hardware design 6+ years experience in software development with C++
• Good understanding of computational geometry, placement, routing and graph theory
• Familiarity with design implementation tools such as ICC2, Innovus
• Expertise in algorithm development for physical design, analysis, and visualization
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd:

• C++17/C++14 experience, such as lambdas and concurrency
• Deep understanding of algorithm design principles such as computational geometry, placement etc.
• Experience in high performance software design including multithreading, distributed computing, efficient memory and I/O use, etc.
• Highly driven to craft outstanding software towards improving PPA with a dedication to continuous improvement
• A tenacity for solving complex optimization challenges

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 168,000 USD - 264,500 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until June 1, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NVIDIA pioneered accelerated computing. Today, our AI infrastructure powers global intelligence, transforming every industry.

Learn more about NVIDIA. www.nvidiabenefits.com/ #LI-Hybrid