Qualcomm

Staff Engineer, Physical Design/Implementation

Qualcomm$124K — $174K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 3+ years of experience; or Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience.
  • Strong experience in end-to-end ASIC Physical Design flow.
  • Hands-on expertise with industry-standard EDA tools like Cadence Innovus or Synopsys ICC2.
  • Solid understanding of power delivery and reliability (IR/EM) and clocking architectures.
  • Expertise in timing closure and signoff methodologies.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and execute physical design for SoC and retimer ASICs, covering all phases from floorplanning to timing closure.
  • Plan and implement designs for full-chip or hierarchical integration.
  • Drive timing closure across operational corners and modes, incorporating SI-aware optimization.
  • Perform and review physical verification checks including DRC, LVS, DFM, and DFY.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design convergence and readiness for tapeout.
  • Oversee integration of high-speed SerDes macros and mixed-signal IP for effective floorplan and signal integrity management.
  • Provide schedules, risk assessments, and execution tracking to guarantee successful silicon tapeouts.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunity for annual RSU grants.
  • Comprehensive benefits package to support work-life balance.
  • Enhanced wellness programs to promote health and well-being.
Full Job Description
Company:
Qualcomm Canada ULC

Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering

General Summary:

You will lead and drive physical design implementation for complex, large-scale retimer-class and full-reticle ASIC products in advanced technology nodes. This role requires strong technical leadership to synthesize ambiguous requirements, drive execution across cross-functional teams, and deliver high-quality silicon meeting aggressive power, performance, and area (PPA) targets. Replacement Position

What You'll Do
  • Lead and execute end-to-end Physical Design flow for SoC and retimer ASICs, including:
    • Floorplanning
    • Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS)
    • Placement & Routing
    • Power Delivery Network (PDN)
    • Timing analysis and closure
  • Plan and implement full-chip or hierarchical designs, including full-reticle-scale integration
  • Drive timing closure across all corners and modes (MMMC), including SI-aware optimization
  • Perform and review physical verification checks:
    • DRC, LVS
    • Design-for-manufacturability (DFM)
    • Design-for-yield (DFY)
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (front-end, analog/SerDes, DFT, packaging, silicon validation) to ensure design convergence and tapeout readiness
  • Lead integration of high-speed SerDes macros and mixed-signal IP, ensuring robust floorplan and signal integrity alignment
  • Drive IR/EM closure, power optimization, and congestion mitigation for large die designs
  • Provide schedules, risk assessment, and execution tracking to drive successful silicon tapeouts
  • Act as a strong technical contributor in design reviews and project meetings, influencing architecture and implementation decisions
  • Develop and improve physical design methodologies and flows to enhance efficiency and scalability


What You'll Need:
  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of experience, OR
    Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of progressive experience in ASIC Physical Design or related domain
  • Strong experience with:
    • End-to-end ASIC Physical Design flow
    • Timing closure and signoff methodologies
    • Physical verification flows
  • Hands-on expertise in industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Cadence Innovus / Synopsys ICC2)
  • Solid understanding of:
    • Power delivery and reliability (IR/EM)
    • Clocking architectures and CTS
    • Large-scale SoC integration challenges


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with high-speed SerDes / retimer designs (PAM4-class signaling)
  • Experience with full-reticle or near-reticle SoC implementation
  • Familiarity with multi-die / chiplet / advanced packaging architectures
  • Exposure to data center, networking, or optical connectivity ASICs
  • Strong scripting and automation skills (Python, Tcl)


Key Competencies
  • Proven ability to lead complex PD execution in high-pressure tapeout environments
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
  • Ability to synthesize ambiguous or conflicting requirements into execution plans
  • Effective collaboration across global, cross-functional engineering teams


Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$124,200.00 - $174,200.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm Ventures is the investment arm of Qualcomm Incorporated. Founded in 2000, Qualcomm Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund with over 150 active portfolio companies and more than 20 exits over a billion dollars, including 99 Taxis, Cruise Automation, Fitbit, Invensense, NQ Mobile, Waze, and more. As a global investor, Qualcomm Ventures helps connect entrepreneurs to the resources, relationships, and deep industry expertise they need to succeed in the mobile technology ecosystem.

Qualcomm Careers

Joining Qualcomm offers more than just a job opportunity; it's a gateway to a career infused with innovation, leadership, and growth. As a pivotal leader in the world of wireless technology, Qualcomm stands at the forefront of digital communication advancements. Our team of professionals is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, making this an ideal time to become part of our global community.

Work You’ll Do

At Qualcomm, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, engaging in work that transforms the way the world connects, computes, and communicates. Our diverse team is driven by a shared passion for creating path-breaking wireless technologies that empower mobile ecosystems worldwide.

Innovate and Grow

Embrace the opportunity to innovate alongside leaders in the field and contribute to projects that have a global impact. Qualcomm is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Professional Growth and Development

Qualcomm is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees, offering unparalleled benefits, diverse career paths, and extensive training programs that encourage professional and personal development. Whether you're looking for leadership roles or specialized technical positions, Qualcomm provides the resources and support to help you drive your career forward.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce fuels our innovation and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact. Qualcomm’s inclusive culture and diversity training programs are designed to promote an environment where all employees can thrive.

Internship Programs

Start your career with Qualcomm through our dynamic internship programs. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills in real-world scenarios, providing a robust foundation for future employment. Internships at Qualcomm are characterized by meaningful projects and the chance to network with industry leaders.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous job opportunities at Qualcomm, from engineering to marketing, and discover how your skills and interests align with our mission. We are continuously hiring creative and driven individuals who are ready to contribute to our culture of innovation.

Prepare for Your Interview

Ready to join our team? Prepare your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Our interview process is designed to understand your capabilities and how they align with our goals at Qualcomm. We look for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers.

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Career Opportunities Await

At Qualcomm, your career is what you make of it. With support for your ambitions and a network of global professionals, the opportunities to advance and excel are nearly limitless. Join us and be part of a team that’s leading the world in next-generation technology.

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Learn more about Qualcomm
Size
45,000 employees
Market Cap
$122.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.7 billion
Founded
1985
5 Year Trend
+14.7%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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