Staff / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer

Bolt Graphics, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance premiums covered

Equity - Stock Options

401(k) match

Job summary

A semiconductor startup based in California is seeking a Staff/Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer to drive full-chip implementations and meet PPA targets. This role requires 8–12 years of experience in ASIC physical design, specializing in tools like Synopsys ICC2 and Cadence Innovus. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in full-chip or large block implementations and a hands-on approach to debugging. The compensation range is competitive, between $200,000 and $220,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in ASIC physical design.
• Proven experience in full-chip or large block implementation and tapeouts.
• Strong expertise in power planning and physical verification.

Responsibilities

• Drive full-chip or block-level physical implementation from netlist to GDSII.
• Achieve timing, power, and area (PPA) targets.
• Collaborate with RTL, architecture, and verification teams.

Skills

Full-chip implementation

Static Timing Analysis (STA)

Placement

Debugging skills

Scripting in TCL/Python

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Synopsys ICC2

Cadence Innovus

Job description

Staff / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer

Bolt Graphics is a semiconductor startup based in Sunnyvale, CA building the fastest and most efficient graphics processors. We pride ourselves on our first principles approach to solving problems. We are energized by our mission to reduce the barrier of entry for content creation and consumption. Our goal is to enable everyone to easily create, simulate and consume immersive experiences as vividly as they can imagine them.

Our Values

• Be Fearless: Unmute yourself. Test boundaries and get proven right.
• Remain Adaptable: Stay comfortable in a continuously changing world. If you’re wrong, concede and move on.
• Educate Your Ego: Selflessly collaborate towards our shared purpose.

About the role:

As a Staff / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer , you will be responsible for driving full-chip or block-level physical implementation from netlist to GDSII. You will play a critical role in achieving timing, power, and area (PPA) targets while ensuring high-quality tapeouts.

What you'll do:

• Ownend-to-end physical design flow: synthesis support, floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and signoff
• Drivetiming closure(setup/hold) across multiple PVT corners using advanced STA methodologies (OCV/POCV)
• Perform and debugDRC/LVS/EM/IRissues and drive clean signoff
• Work closely with RTL, architecture, and verification teams fordesign convergence
• HandleECO flows, including late-stage timing and functional fixes
• Optimize designs forpower, performance, and area (PPA)
• Integrate and validatehard macros (SRAMs, IOs, analog blocks)
• SupportGLS, SDF generation, and debug timing-related issues
• Develop and enhanceautomation scripts(TCL/Python) for PD flows
• Collaborate with foundry/vendor teams duringtapeout and signoff

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 8–12 years of experiencein ASIC physical design
• Proven experience infull-chip or large block implementation and tapeouts
• Strong expertise in:
• Floorplanning and power planning
• Placement, CTS, routing, and physical verification
• Static Timing Analysis (STA) and timing closure
• Hands‑on experience with industry‑standard tools such as:
• Synopsys ICC2/Cadence Innovus
• Experience with advanced nodes (7nm and below preferred)
• Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience withlow-power design techniques (UPF/CPF)
• Knowledge ofEMIR analysis(e.g.,Ansys RedHawk‑SC)
• Familiarity withmulti-voltage designs and power domains
• Experience withhigh-speed interfaces or complex SoCs (CPU/GPU/AI)
• Exposure toGLS and timing‑related silicon debug
• Scripting expertise inPython/TCL

Compensation Range: $200,000–$220,000 per year (California). This range represents the anticipated base pay for this role based in California; the final offer may vary based on qualifications, experience, and location.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision - 100% covered premiums
• Equity - Stock Options
• 401(k) match

Bolt is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment in which we recognize and value each other’s differences as well as fostering a culture that promotes its core values: Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran.