ASIC Physical Design, Staff Engineer

Category Engineering Hire Type Employee Job ID 18258 Date Posted 08/20/2026

Alternate Job Titles

• Physical Design Engineer, Staff Level
• ASIC Implementation Engineer, Staff
• Staff Engineer, PnR and Signoff
• Senior Physical Design Engineer, ASIC

We Are

Synopsys is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow.

You Are

You have spent years in the trenches of physical design, turning RTL into silicon that actually closes, meets timing, and ships. The difference between a design that tapes out clean and one that needs three more spins is something you can see coming in the floorplan stage, and you are the kind of engineer who makes the call early, adjusts the plan, and keeps the project moving.

You are comfortable owning the full physical implementation flow from synthesis through signoff. When a timing path refuses to close or an IR drop issue surfaces late in the cycle, you do not escalate first, you dig in, trace it back, and solve it. You know the tools deeply, Fusion Compiler, PrimeTime, StarRC, IC Validator, and you use them with intention, not just by rote.

Working across teams comes naturally to you. Front-end hands you an RTL block, analog gives you constraints that shift midstream, CAD updates the flow, and you synthesize all of it into a coherent implementation without losing your thread or your timeline. You mentor others not by lecturing but by showing them how you think through a problem. At Synopsys, you will work on mixed-signal IP that powers real products, with a team that values both technical depth and the ability to ship.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead physical implementation of high-speed interface IPs from RTL through GDSII, managing floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and signoff closure
• Drive timing closure using PrimeTime, resolving setup and hold violations across multiple corners and modes in advanced process nodes
• Execute power integrity analysis using RedHawk or Voltus, ensuring IR drop and electromigration compliance
• Collaborate with front-end, analog design, CAD, and product teams to integrate IP blocks and resolve interface issues
• Mentor engineers on physical design best practices, debug strategies, and methodology improvements

The Impact You Will Have

• Deliver high-performance mixed-signal IP that meets aggressive timing, power, and area targets for next-generation SoCs
• Enable faster time-to-market for Synopsys customers by ensuring robust, signoff-clean physical implementations
• Raise the technical capability of the physical design team through hands-on mentorship and knowledge sharing
• Drive methodology improvements that reduce design cycle time and increase first-pass success rates
• Support the adoption of advanced process nodes by solving complex physical design challenges in 7nm, 5nm, and below

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years of hands-on physical design experience in ASIC or IP development
• Deep expertise in the full physical design flow from RTL to GDSII, including synthesis, place and route, and physical signoff
• Proficiency with Synopsys physical design tools such as Fusion Compiler, IC Compiler II, PrimeTime, StarRC, and IC Validator
• Strong understanding of advanced node challenges including finFET effects, multi-patterning, and low-power design techniques
• Proven ability to close timing, power, and signal integrity on complex mixed-signal designs in 16nm or below

Who You Are

• You make decisions with incomplete information, prioritize what matters, and adjust course when new data arrives without losing momentum
• You can explain a timing violation or power integrity issue to different audiences and tailor the message so each one understands what they need to do next
• You approach debugging methodically, isolate variables, test hypotheses, and document what you learn so the next person does not start from scratch
• You are comfortable working autonomously, figuring out what needs to happen and making it happen without waiting for direction

The Team You'll Be Part Of

You will join the Synopsys Mixed-Signal IP organization, a team focused on the physical implementation of complex mixed-signal IPs and test chips. This group works closely with front-end design, analog teams, CAD, and product management to deliver high-quality IP solutions tailored to customer performance, power, and area requirements.

Rewards and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non-monetary offerings. Your recruiter will provide more details about the salary range and benefits during the hiring process.

At Synopsys, we want talented people of every background to feel valued and supported to do their best work. Synopsys considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, military veteran status, or disability.