Full Job Description
ASIC Physical Design Engineer
Build It From Scratch | 5G Silicon | Ericsson Austin, TX
This is an on-site, hybrid position and not open to remote work.
A clean sheet with your name on it.
Most engineers spend their careers inheriting someone else's flows, someone else's tool choices, someone else's methodology decisions. This is not that job.
This is the ground floor. The blank canvas. The moment where the decisions you make become the foundation that everything else gets built on. If you've ever sat in a design review thinking "I would have done this completely differently" - here's your chance to prove it.
Why Austin. Why Now.
Austin has become one of the most important semiconductor cities in the world - and Ericsson has planted a flag here. You'll be working in a city that's become a magnet for serious silicon talent, with a team that collaborates globally with engineering counterparts in Sweden, while keeping its roots and its energy firmly in Central Texas.
This isn't a satellite office running someone else's playbook. This is a primary design site.
What You're Actually Building
Ericsson's Radio and Baseband products run on our ASICs. Full stop. These chips are the backbone of 5G networks deployed around the world - and the complexity, power targets, performance requirements, and advanced process node technology involved means this work will push you in ways that most design roles simply won't.
You'll work across IP and SOC levels, partner with engineers in Austin and Sweden, and be part of Ericsson's vertical development capability - meaning you're not just designing a chip, you're part of an integrated engineering ecosystem that optimizes every layer of the stack to deliver something the market can't match.
What You'll Own:
Define the physical design flow - tools, methods, and processes - from the ground up
Drive design execution at both the IP and SOC level, with flexibility to shift focus as program needs evolve
Partner with design, CAD, and cross-disciplinary teams to bring complex ASIC physical designs to life
Help build the team itself - recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and mentoring the engineers who come after you
Work hands-on with advanced process node technology and push methodology further on every tape-out
Own problem resolution and execution - not just participation
What You'll Bring:
10+ years of physical design experience in SOC, IP, or ASIC environments
BS in EE or CE (minimum)
Deep expertise in one or more of: PPA optimization, RTL checks & synthesis, floorplanning & routing, power & timing closure, or signoff
Solid working knowledge of back-end disciplines - EMIR, DFM, DFT, power grid analysis
A genuine team orientation - you mentor, you collaborate, you elevate the people around you
Proven ability to drive execution and close hard problems under real program pressure.
SystemVerilog knowledge
Semi-custom design experience
Strong scripting skills
What happens once you apply?
Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position, and you may be required to perform additional job tasks as assigned.
Primary country and city: USA Austin, Texas
Job details: Developer
Primary Recruiter: Jim Everett
Compensation and Benefits at Ericsson
At Ericsson, we know that our people are the key to our success. We offer a competitive package to help with your individual needs and goals.
Your Pay
The salary range for this position is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, and the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
Short-Term Variable Compensation Plan: Your pay also includes the opportunity for an annual bonus. Actual bonus payouts are based on performance of the business against the unit's objectives, individual performance, and the individual bonus target. Certain eligibility and pro-ration rules apply.
Your Health
Ericsson offers excellent health benefits including the choice of three medical plan options and a dental plan option that allow an employee to select the level of coverage that suits their needs. Employees will receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost that Ericsson pays toward the cost of their medical and dental premiums for themselves and eligible covered dependents.
Your Financial Security
We invest in both your short and long-term financial wellbeing. The Ericsson US 401(k) Plan offers an automatic 3% company contribution and Ericsson match $1 for every $1 you put into the 401(k) Plan on the first 3% of your eligible pay, plus 50 cents on every $1 on the next 2% of eligible pay. When you contribute at least 5% of eligible pay, you are receiving Ericsson's full matching contributions of 4%. Matching and company automatic contributions stop when your total eligible pay for the year reaches the IRS limits. Employees will also receive company credits in an amount equal to the cost of basic life insurance and basic accidental death and dismemberment coverage, as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in Ericsson's Stock Purchase Plan.
Your Time
Your work-life balance is important to us. New employees are provided a minimum of 15 days of accrued vacation, up to 3 personal days per year, 11 annual holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time, and 80 hours of sick time annually. Please note paid time off is pro-rated based on the employee's start date. Furthermore, Ericsson provides up to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of parental or adoption leave at 100% of pay.
Additional Benefits
Ericsson offers many other company-paid benefits such as financial wellness programs, educational assistance, matching gifts, and recognition programs.