AmazonSOC Top Level Physical Design Engineer, Annapurna Labs
Amazon is hiring an SOC Top Level Physical Design Engineer, Annapurna Labs in Cupertino, United States. It pays $213k-$288k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.
Level's read on this job
- On Level's scale, this role is Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
- The posting mentions Python, Perl and Bash among its tools and skills.
- Level classes it as a senior role.
- Amazon has 20,000+ other open roles on Level.
AI in this role
Physical Design Engineer building custom silicon accelerators and SoCs for AWS machine learning infrastructure.
Custom SoCs (System on Chip) live at the heart of AWS Machine Learning servers. As a member of the Cloud-Scale Machine Learning Acceleration team you’ll be responsible for the design and optimization of hardware in our data centers including AWS Inferentia, Trainium Systems (our custom designed machine learning inference and training datacenter servers). Our success depends on our world-class server infrastructure; we’re handling massive scale and rapid integration of emergent technologies. We’re looking for an ASIC Physical Design Engineer to help us trail-blaze new technologies and architectures, while ensuring high design quality and making the right trade-offs.
Key job responsibilities
- Drive full chip floorplan, placement, integration, PV signoff and tapeout
- Collaborate with FE team to understand RTL and drive physical aspects early in design cycle
- Define, execute and optimize next-generation physical verification and integration methodologies using industry-standard EDA tools (FC, Calibre, IC Validator)
- Perform DRC (Design Rule Checking), LVS (Layout vs. Schematic), PERC (Programmable Electrical Rule Check) verification
- Debug and resolve physical verification issues in collaboration with layout and design teams
- Interface with foundries for MT form, rule deck updates and violation waivers; Develop and maintain verification runsets and methodologies
- Mentor junior engineers on physical verification methodologies and closure
Basic qualifications
- Experience scripting with Python, Perl, Bash or PowerShell
- BS + 10yrs or MS + 7yrs in EE/CS, or related field
- 5+ in physical verification for advanced technology nodes
- Design Flow Knowledge: Understanding of backend physical design flows for chip-top/subsystems (FC/Innovus)
- Expert knowledge of industry-standard physical verification tools (Calibre, IC Validator, PVS)
- Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and design rules
- Proven track record of successful tape-outs
- Strong communication and collaboration abilities
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in mentoring, leading, or managing more junior engineers
- Experience with integration and verification in advanced nodes [5nm or below]
- Knowledge of custom and digital design flows
- Expertise with DFM (Design for Manufacturing) methodologies
- Expertise in reliability verification (ESD, EM, IR drop)
- Experience solving physical design challenges across various technologies such as DDR, PCIe, fabrics etc.
- Experience in extraction of design parameters, QOR metrics, and analyzing trends
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, Cupertino - 213,000.00 - 287,500.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 185,200.00 - 250,000.00 USD annually
How we rate this
SOC Top Level Physical Design Engineer, Annapurna Labs at Amazon rates 85 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.
- ●●●● 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. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where physical design was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where asic was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where soc was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where semiconductor manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where verification was part of your work. What did you do?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Physical Design, Asic, Soc, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Verification. 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.
- Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.
Get your CV reviewed before you apply
Send your CV and the role you want next. Your review arrives by email within 3 days.
Get new software engineering jobs (Builds AI ●●●●) by email
One email a week, each job rated for how much AI is in the work. No recruiter spam, unsubscribe in one click.
Free.
Similar roles
Software Engineering roles that build AI, at other companies.
What kind of AI work fits you?
Answer 12 practical questions in about three minutes. Get a simple profile, the work it points to, and live roles to explore next.
Find my next step