Principal Physical Design Engineer

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Job Description:

Principal Physical Design Engineer — ASIC Products Division (APD)

Location: San Jose, CA

Position Type: Full-Time

Who We Are — Physical Design Team in APD

Broadcom’s ASIC Products Division (APD) is the global leader in custom high-performance silicon solutions. We partner with the world’s most innovative technology companies—spanning hyper-scale cloud providers, AI pioneers, and tier-1 networking infrastructure leaders—to co-design and manufacture complex, custom ASICs that power the modern digital backbone.

The Physical Design team within APD is the world-class execution engine behind the industry's most advanced custom silicon. We push the limits of silicon technology by combining deep architectural expertise, advanced IP, cutting-edge physical design methodologies in 3nm/2nm nodes, and advanced 2.5D/3D chiplet integration to solve the most demanding compute and bandwidth challenges.We transform ultra-complex architectures into fully realized, high-yielding, first-pass silicon success.

What Defines Our Physical Design Team

• Pioneering First-Pass Silicon in 3nm/2nm: Our team consistently pushes the boundary of physics, taking the largest and most complex die sizes from floorplan to tapeout on leading-edge foundry nodes (N7, N5, N3, and N2).
• Record-Breaking Scale & Complexity: We regularly execute full-chip physical implementation for ultra-large-scale ASICs exceeding tens of billions of transistors, multi-gigahertz clock frequencies, and dense multi-die 2.5D/3D integration (CoWoS, HBM3/4, chiplet architectures).
• Methodology & Flow Leadership: We develop and maintain cutting-edge in-house (AI Driven) automation and methodology across different EDA tools, setting the benchmark for signoff quality and turn-around-time (TAT).

About the Role

Broadcom’s ASIC Products Division (APD) is looking for a Principal Physical Design Engineer to lead physical design implementation tasks for next-generation high-performance networking, AI/ML accelerators, and custom cloud ASICs. In this role, you will drive complex block-level floorplanning, synthesis, Place and Route (P&R), clock tree synthesis (CTS), timing closure, and signoff across cutting-edge deep sub-micron nodes (N5/N3/N2/A14).

Key Responsibilities

• Full-Flow Implementation: Lead block-level and top-level implementation from floorplanning to GDSII stream-out using Cadence Innovus
• Advanced Node Execution: Drive floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and timing/power optimization on advanced technology nodes (5nm, 3nm, 2nm) using multi-patterning and complex metal stacks.
• Timing & Power Closure: Perform multi-corner multi-mode (MCMM) static timing analysis (STA), signal integrity (SI) optimization, and power grid optimization (static/dynamic IR-drop, EM) for signoff using PrimeTime, Voltus, or RedHawk.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: B.S. or M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 12+ years of hands-on physical design experience successfully taping out complex high-frequency, ultra-large-scale networking or AI ASICs.
• Deep Sub-Micron Expertise: Direct experience executing tapeouts in TSMC advanced nodes (N7, N5, N3) or equivalent foundry processes.
• EDA Tool Mastery: High proficiency in major physical design tool flows:
  • P&R: Cadence Innovus
  • Timing/STA: Synopsys PrimeTime or Cadence Tempus
  • Extraction & IR/EM: StarRC / QRC, RedHawk
  • DRC/LVS: Siemens Calibre
• Automation Skills: Advanced TCL, Python, and Unix shell scripting for flow automation and database manipulation.
• Communication: Excellent technical leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in high-speed clock network implementation (H-tree, mesh, low-power CTS).
• Experience with power-aware implementation flows (UPF/CPF, multi-voltage domains, clock/power gating).

Compensation and Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is USD 143,800.00 To USD 230,000.00

As a valued member of our team, you'll be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and the opportunity to receive not only a competitive new hire equity grant, but also annual equity awards, connecting your success directly to the company's growth. All subject to relevant plan documents and award agreements.

Broadcom offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401(K) participation including company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company paid holidays, paid sick leave and vacation time. The company follows all applicable laws for Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

Broadcom is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We will consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability status, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  We will also consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records consistent with local law.

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