CPU Core Physical Design Technical Graduate Intern, Spring

Intel is hiring a CPU Core Physical Design Technical Graduate Intern, Spring. It pays $106k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.

AI in this role

Contribute to the physical implementation of silicon designs and ASIC/SoC workflows as a CPU Core Physical Design Graduate Intern.

pythonperltcleda-tools

vlsiphysical-designsynthesisplace-and-routestatic-timing-analysis

Job Details:

Job Description:

The Role and Impact
As a 2027 Physical Design Engineering Graduate Intern, you will contribute to the physical implementation of silicon designs to create manufacturing-ready solutions. Your day-to-day work will involve tasks such as synthesis, place and route, timing analysis, clocking, and/or integration. By assisting in verification and signoff activities, you will ensure manufacturability and performance compliance, directly supporting Intel's broader innovation goals.

Business group
The Data Center Group (DCG) is at the forefront of transforming data-centric technologies by delivering solutions that power Intel's silicon and platform advancements. Focused on high-performance computing, storage, and connectivity, DCG plays a vital role in shaping Intel's impact across industries, enabling scalable, automated, and impactful designs for modern infrastructure challenges.

January 2027 - August 2027

Ideal candidate is local to Folsom area or will arrange for a semester away.

Relocation is available.

Key Responsibilities
- Support physical design implementation, including synthesis, place and route, and integration.
- Conduct timing analysis and clocking to optimize design performance.
- Assist in verification and signoff activities to ensure manufacturability and compliance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance design scalability and automation.
- Learn and apply knowledge through hands-on tasks and projects aligned with Intel's goals.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Pursuing a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), or a related field.
Coursework, academic projects, or research experience in digital integrated circuit design and VLSI physical design.
Fundamental knowledge of logic synthesis, place and route, and static timing analysis (STA).
Experience with one or more scripting/programming languages such as Perl, Tcl, or Python.
Understanding of semiconductor design flows and ASIC/SoC implementation concepts.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with synthesis, place and route, and timing analysis.
Knowledge of low-power design techniques and PPA optimization.
Programming experience with Perl, Tcl, and/or Python.
Familiarity with ASIC/SoC physical design flows and EDA tools.
Experience from coursework, research, or projects in VLSI or semiconductor design.

Job Type:

Student / Intern

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:

US, California, Folsom

Additional Locations:

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

N/A

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $105,698.00-105,702.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Our standard internship rates are based on your degree, location, and the job role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location and job role during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role

This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

How we rate this

CPU Core Physical Design Technical Graduate Intern, Spring at Intel rates 10 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.

Key facts

CPU Core Physical Design Technical Graduate Intern, Spring is an open job at Intel.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $106k a year.
The role is based in US, California, Folsom.
The job was posted on October 5, 2026.
Seniority: intern.
Applications are handled by Intel. Apply on Intel

Prepare for this job

A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

VlsiPhysical DesignSynthesisPlace And RouteStatic Timing AnalysisPythonPerlTcl

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where vlsi was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where physical design was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where synthesis was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where place and route was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where static timing analysis was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Vlsi, Physical Design, Synthesis, Place And Route, and Static Timing Analysis. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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