Description

Physical design engineers typically collaborate in teams to solve issues and come up with new concepts; they also manage budgeting for design-related tasks, create elements for chips that aren't limited to FET and create FUB-level floor plans and full-chip floor plans and stimulate the verification of schematics to layouts and manage the debugging task.

In general, future physical design engineers must possess a minimum master's level engineering degree, and at minimum two or three years of professional experience in high-level synthesis RTL development and physical design and be able to be on-site for at least two years. The tasks that are required include enhancing physical design processes for the latest technologies and aiding in streamlining processes to improve efficiency and productivity within the company. Physical design engineers also need to create codes and maintain layout automation functions as well as macros in tools for layout entry to improve the efficiency of layouts.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Physical Design Engineer with 0-3 years of experience in the United States, your main responsibilities include:

  • Collaborate with the design team to define and implement physical design methodologies, flows, and tools.This involves working closely with the design team to establish efficient and effective physical design processes.
  • Perform floor planning, power grid design, placement, and optimization of integrated circuits.You'll be responsible for handling the various stages of the physical design process to ensure optimal circuit performance.
  • Conduct physical synthesis and signal integrity analysis to meet performance and power targets.This requires analyzing and optimizing the circuit to ensure it meets the desired performance and power requirements.
  • Generate layout designs, perform design rule checks, and mitigate any design-related issues.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a Physical Design Engineer job role, the following qualifications are required:

  • Solid understanding of semiconductor physics and digital design principles to develop efficient and optimized physical designs.
  • Proficiency in industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools and software for physical verification, synthesis, and layout.
  • Strong knowledge of deep sub-micron process technologies and experience in working with advanced nodes (such as 7nm, 5nm, or below).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail to identify and address any design-related issues, ensuring the successful tapeout of integrated circuits.

Essential Skills For Physical Design Engineer

1

Design Thinking

2

Prototyping

3

AutoCAD

4

Selection & Procurement of Raw Materials

5

Drafting

Skills That Affect Physical Design Engineer Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Automation

4%

Automotive Design

7%

Career Prospects

For a Physical Design Engineer with 0-3 years of experience in the United States, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are following options:

  • Verification Engineer: Focuses on verifying and validating designs, using simulation and testing techniques to ensure functionality and performance.
  • CAD Engineer: Specializes in computer-aided design CAD tools and software to create and modify engineering designs.
  • FPGA Engineer: Works with field-programmable gate arrays FPGAs to design, implement, and test digital circuits and systems.
  • Product Engineer: Collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop and improve products, from concept to production, ensuring functionality and manufacturability.

How to Learn

According to recent data, the job role of a Physical Design Engineer in the United States is expected to have a promising growth rate in the market. Over the past ten years, this position has experienced steady growth, with an increased demand for professionals in this field. In the future, employment opportunities for Physical Design Engineers are projected to continue growing, offering a positive outlook for individuals pursuing this career path. Based on available data, it is evident that this role is highly sought-after, ensuring a promising future for those in the industry.