Physical Design Engineer (STA, SDC, MMMC) | San Diego, CA Santa Clara, CA Austin, TX | Onsite | Long Term Contract | AS

Title: Static Timing Analysis (STA) / Timing Closure & Signoff Engineer
Function: Physical Design Timing Signoff
Experience: 3 8 years of relevant STA / physical design experience
Engagement: Engineering services for a leading global SoC (System-on-Chip) manufacturer
Location: San Diego CA /Santa Clara CA / Austin TX (or client site as applicable)
Education: B.E. / . / M.E. / . in ECE / EEE / VLSI / Microelectronics or equivalent

About the Role
We are hiring Static Timing Analysis engineers to strengthen the timing signoff team supporting a leading SoC manufacturer on advanced-node this role you will own timing constraints drive block- and full-chip timing closure across all modes and corners and collaborate closely with the physical design synthesis and DFT teams to deliver clean silicon-ready timing signoff.
The ideal candidate has strong fundamentals in static timing analysis hands-on experience with industry signoff tools and a proven track record of closing timing on complex high-frequency designs at advanced FinFET technology nodes.

Key Responsibilities
Timing constraints (SDC): Develop review validate and maintain timing constraints clock definitions generated clocks I/O delays false paths multicycle paths and clock-domain-crossing (CDC) exceptions and ensure constraint consistency and quality.
Timing signoff: Perform block-level and full-chip static timing analysis and signoff using Synopsys PrimeTime / PrimeTime SI (and/or Cadence Tempus) across a full multi-mode multi-corner (MMMC) setup.
Timing closure: Analyze and close setup hold recovery/removal and transition/capacitance violations; generate and implement timing ECOs and coordinate fixes with the place-and-route team.
Signal integrity: Run crosstalk delay and noise (SI) analysis identify and resolve SI-induced violations and correlate with extraction and physical data.
Parasitic correlation: Set up and validate RC parasitic extraction and SPEF (StarRC / Quantus QRC) manage RC corners and ensure extraction-vs-signoff correlation.
Variation-aware analysis: Apply OCV / AOCV / POCV (SOCV) derating methodologies and drive accurate margin-aware signoff.
Hierarchical timing: Build and validate timing abstracts / interface models (ETM / ILM) perform interface timing budgeting and support top-level integration for hierarchical designs.
Low-power timing: Handle UPF-based multi-voltage / multi-power-domain designs including level shifters isolation cells and power-aware timing checks.
Flow & automation: Automate and enhance timing analysis and ECO flows using TCL / Python / Perl; improve turnaround time and reporting.
Collaboration & signoff quality: Work with synthesis P&R CTS DFT and IR/EM teams; document methodology present timing reviews and provide silicon-ready signoff sign-off criteria and reports.

Required Skills & Experience (Must-Have)
Strong fundamentals in static timing analysis setup/hold recovery/removal timing arcs slack path groups clock latency uncertainty and derating concepts.
Hands-on experience with Synopsys PrimeTime / PrimeTime SI for block and/or full-chip timing signoff.
Proficiency in SDC constraint development debug and validation (clocks I/O timing exceptions CDC).
Experience with MMMC (multi-mode multi-corner) analysis and closure.
Understanding of OCV / AOCV / POCV variation-aware timing methodologies.
Working knowledge of crosstalk / signal-integrity analysis and noise closure.
Familiarity with parasitic extraction and SPEF (StarRC / Quantus QRC) and RC corner concepts.
Solid understanding of the physical design flow synthesis place-and-route and clock tree synthesis and its interaction with timing.
Exposure to advanced technology nodes (16nm / 7nm / 5nm / 3nm FinFET).
Strong scripting skills in TCL (mandatory); Python or Perl for flow automation.
Good debugging skills clear communication and the ability to work in a cross-functional delivery-driven team.