Physical Design Engineer
Location: San Jose (on-site)
Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models.
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
We are seeking a collaborative Physical Design Engineer to join our high-performance ASIC/SoC team. In this role, you will contribute to the development of next-generation electro-optical engines and complex mixed-signal designs. You will work alongside technical leads to transform RTL into silicon-ready GDS, gaining exposure to leading-edge process nodes and advanced packaging technologies.
This is a growth-oriented role designed for an engineer with a strong foundation in VLSI who is eager to master the complete physical design flow, from synthesis to signoff.
Essential Functions

• Block-Level Implementation: Execute the full physical design flow (RTL2GDS) for digital and mixed-signal blocks, including floorplanning, power planning, placement, and routing.
• Timing Closure: Perform Static Timing Analysis (STA) to identify setup/hold violations and implement ECOs to achieve timing convergence.
• Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS): Analyze clock structures and assist in optimizing clock distribution for skew and latency.
• Physical Verification: Run and debug DRC, LVS, and Antenna checks using industry-standard verification tools to ensure manufacturing compliance.
• Power Optimization: Participate in power optimization, including clock gating, power domain, and IR drop analysis.
• Automation: Develop and maintain Tcl/Python scripts to automate standard design tasks and improve flow efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the RTL design and Custom Layout teams to resolve integration issues and ensure clean hand-offs.
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering (or related field) with 2+ years of industry experience in physical design OR Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering (or related field) with 0-2 years of industry experience.
• Strong understanding of digital logic design and CMOS device physics.
• Familiarity with the ASIC design cycle, including Synthesis, P&R, STA, and Signoff.
• Hands-on experience (via work or academic projects) with industry-standard P&R tools (e.g., Cadence Innovus/Encounter, Synopsys ICC2/Fusion Compiler).
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Tcl, Python, or Perl) for design automation and data parsing.
• Comfortable working in a Linux/Unix environment.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or coursework in Advanced Process Nodes (7nm, 5nm, or smaller).
• Prior internship or co-op experience in a Physical Design or Hardware Engineering role.
• Familiarity with physical verification tools such as Mentor Calibre or Synopsys IC Validator.
• Understanding of low-power design standards (UPF/CPF).
• Knowledge of timing constraints (SDC), or signal integrity analysis.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce, Subversion).
  

Salary range: $120,000 - $160,000
Note To Recruiters
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
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