Physical Design Staff Engineer

The Role:

As a Physical Design Staff Engineer you will serve as the technical reference point for the most complex digital blocks (high-speed mixed-signal control or automotive low-power). You will operate at the intersection of logic and physics ensuring that the functional design intent is preserved and optimized during physical implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Physical Implementation & Constraint Management

Drive the entire implementation flow (Floorplanning P&R Clock Tree Synthesis) with a constraint-driven approach.

Functional Context Analysis: Anticipate routing and timing bottlenecks .

Dynamic Constraint Management: Analyze clean and regenerate timing constraints at every stage (Pre-Placement Placement Pre-CTS Post-CTS Sign-off) ensuring they reflect both the physical reality of the silicon and the functional requirements (e.g. Multi-Cycle Paths distinguishing real vs. spurious False Paths).

2. Timing Sign-off & ECO Leadership

Manage complex timing closures (Multi-clock domains asynchronous interfaces) using advanced techniques (DMSA OCV/AOCV/POCV).

Drive ECO (Engineering Change Order) strategies not just at the gate level but by proposing changes when the physical impact requires it.

Oversee Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity analysis.

Requirements (Must Have):

Experience: 10 years in the semiconductor industry with a focus on Physical Design and Digital Implementation.

Constraint Mastery: Expert knowledge of the SDC format and the ability to write and debug complex constraints for multi-mode/multi-corner (MMMC) designs.

Timing Closure: Solid experience in STA (PrimeTime/Tempus) CDC (Clock Domain Crossing) analysis and managing hold/setup violations in advanced technology nodes or critical automotive contexts.

Scripting: Excellent automation skills (Tcl Python Perl) for report analysis and massive data flow management.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to have):

Previous experience in a digital environment.

Background in Process Integration or knowledge of yield topics (Yield/DFM) and Failure Analysis.

Experience with Automotive chips (ISO 26262) or Low Power design (UPF/CPF).

What Do We Offer

Join a highly innovative microelectronics company working at the forefront of RISC-V and advanced SoC technologies.

Opportunity to play a key technical leadership role bridging industry and public research.

Collaboration with top-tier research institutions and industrial partners across Europe.

Flexible working conditions and hybrid work environment.

Competitive remuneration aligned with seniority and expertise.

Position based in Rome.

We are looking for outstanding people willing to join our mission to change this industry and help to build a better world.

If you feel identified with Openchip please contact us.

At Openchip & Software Technologies S.L. we believe a diverse and inclusive team is the key to groundbreaking ideas. We foster a work environment where everyone feels valued respected and empowered to reach their full potential regardless of race gender ethnicity sexual orientation or gender identity.