
CPU Design Timing Engineer
Required skills
- CPU Design
- Timing Closure
- Scripting
- TCL
- Perl
- Python
- Static Timing Analysis
- Primetime
- Tempus
- Clock Domains
Nice to have
- High Performance CPU
- CPU Microarchitecture
- Low Power Microarchitecture
- Physical Design
- Physically Aware Synthesis
- Place & Route
Role summary
Apple is seeking a CPU Design Timing Engineer to be responsible for all aspects of timing closure for CPU designs. This role involves collaborating with CAD, CPU micro-architects, and implementation engineers to develop and refine timing flows, including scripting for efficiency. Key responsibilities include timing analysis, driving timing closure, and working with advanced design methodologies. The ideal candidate will have experience with static timing tools like Primetime or Tempus, scripting languages such as TCL, Perl, or Python, and a strong understanding of CPU microarchitecture and physical design concepts.
Description
As a CPU Design Timing Engineer, you will be responsible for the timing closure of the project. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Working with the CAD team to develop the timing flow that will be used on the project including scripting to improve analysis flows and engineer efficiency • Working extensively with CPU micro-architects and implementation engineers to drive timing closure for the CPU
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum BS required Experience with script writing in one or more of the following languages: TCL, Perl, Python
Preferred Qualifications
Implementation experience on high performance CPU designs Working knowledge of CPU microarchitecture including common critical loops for timing and understanding of low power microarchitecture and implementation techniques for CPUs Good understanding of physical design tools and methodology including but not limited to physically aware synthesis and place & route tools and flows, extraction, and other analysis flows, and physical design verification (LEC, DVS, etc.) Experience working on timing for 1 ghz+ designs, including how to handle multiple clock and power domains Experience with one of the following static timing tools: Primetime or Tempus Experience with cross talk, noise, OCV, uncertainty, and derate methodology
Sample Apple interview questions
- 1
Design a typeahead box for a search engine
system designmedium - 2
Design a rate limiter
system designmedium - 3
Architect a key-value store for distributed systems.
system designmedium - 4
Design a system to schedule jobs in a distributed environment
system designmedium - 5
What is an API and how does it work?
technicalmedium
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