Silicon Physical Design CAD Engineer
Microsoft · Posted Oct 15
Software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and hardware services
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About the role
Microsoft Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE) delivers the core infrastructure and foundational technologies behind Microsoft's cloud businesses, including the Azure platform. Within SCHIE, the Methodology, Infrastructure & Labs Engineering (MILE) organization owns end-to-end silicon design methodologies, EDA/CAD ecosystems, and the compute infrastructure powering Microsoft's custom silicon portfolio such as Azure Cobalt and Azure Maia processors. This role develops, qualifies, automates, and supports production CAD flows used for silicon physical design, working with Synopsys and Cadence EDA tools, regression frameworks, scripting, and Git-based release practices.
What you will do
- Develop, maintain, and support physical design CAD flows and methodologies.
- Work with industry-standard EDA tools from Synopsys and Cadence for synthesis, PNR, timing, implementation, and related physical design activities.
- Perform tool and flow qualification, including validation of new EDA tool releases, patches, configurations, and methodology changes before production deployment.
- Develop and maintain regression frameworks to evaluate flow stability, functionality, runtime, resource utilisation, and Quality of Results (QoR).
- Analyse results and identify timing, power, area, runtime, memory, or other unexpected changes.
- Debug complex issues involving EDA tools, scripts, physical design flows, and compute environments.
- Automate repetitive CAD activities and develop scalable utilities using Python, Tcl, Zsh, or similar scripting languages.
- Use Git-based version control and code-review practices to manage CAD flow development and releases.
- Collaborate with physical design engineers, methodology teams, CAD engineers, and EDA vendors to resolve issues and improve design productivity.
- Maintain high-quality documentation for flow releases, regression results, known issues, and methodology changes.
- Continuously improve flow reliability, scalability, automation, and turnaround time.
- Using AI to automate daily tasks and implementing AI based workflows
Skills used in this role
What the employer is looking for
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
- At least 3 years of hands-on experience in Silicon Physical Design and/or developing & support Silicon Physical Design CAD Tools, Flows & Methodologies
- Proficiency using Tcl, Python, and similar scripting languages
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screening:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check. This position is required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
- This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
Preferred qualifications
- MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent work experience.
- 4+ years of relevant experience in Silicon Physical Design CAD Tools, Flows & Methodologies
- Hands-on experience in CAD/EDA tool qualifications & releases
- Fundamentals in Synthesis, PnR, Sign-off concepts, and experience working with Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens physical design & sign-off tool stack.
- Relevant experience in developing & maintenance of Physical Design CAD Infrastructure software
- Hands-on experience in developing AI based EDA work-flows
- Self-motivation, Growth mindset, Ownership mindset, attention to detail, and good written, verbal, and presentation skills are critical to success in this role
Benefits and support
- Compensation and benefits are detailed in the job posting
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a multinational technology company that develops, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and hardware devices. Best known for its Windows operating systems, Microsoft 365 productivity suite, and Xbox gaming consoles, the company has expanded heavily into enterprise cloud computing via Azure and advanced artificial intelligence solutions. As one of the world's most valuable public enterprises, it empowers individuals and businesses globally through innovative digital transformation.
- Industry
- Software
- Company size
- 228,000+ employees
- Founded
- April 4, 1975
- Location
- Redmond, Washington, USA
- Funding stage
- Public Company
Leadership
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Vice Chair and President
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