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Artificial Intelligence

Physical Design Engineer, New Grad

San Jose, CAOnsiteInternship$120,000–$150,000 /yrPosted 11 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • RTL to GDS flow
  • synthesis
  • place and route
  • debug timing
  • debug congestion
  • report bugs
  • flow improvements
  • flow documentation
  • regression testing
  • VLSI

Nice to have

  • static timing analysis
  • AI tools
  • Claude
  • tape-out
  • university tape-outs

Role summary

SambaNova Systems is seeking a New Grad Physical Design Engineer to join their team in RDU. This role involves running and improving the RTL to GDS flow on advanced process nodes using Cadence tools (Genus, Innovus, Cerebrus). Responsibilities include scripting in TCL and Python for automation, debugging timing and congestion issues with physical designers, and collaborating with tool vendors. A BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with coursework in VLSI or digital IC design is required, along with scripting experience. Preferred qualifications include an MS/Ph.D., experience with Cadence/Synopsys tools, static timing analysis, advanced process nodes, and AI tools for flow development.

SambaNova is a leader in next-generation AI infrastructure, delivering a full-stack inference platform for customers worldwide. At the core of SambaNova's technology is the RDU (Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit) — a chip built on a dataflow architecture rather than the traditional GPU model. Its decode performance is especially strong for agentic workloads like multi-turn agents, code generation, and long-running applications. RDUs are packaged into SambaRack, rack-scale hardware that lets customers deploy state-of-the-art models with better performance, greater energy efficiency, and faster time to value.

About the Team

The Physical Design team takes RDU designs through synthesis, place and route, and sign-off on TSMC advanced nodes. We develop and maintain the Cadence based flow, including Genus, Innovus, and Cerebrus, and work with designers and tool vendors to fix flow and design issues.

About the Role

As a new grad Physical Design Engineer, you'll run and improve our RTL to GDS flow on advanced process nodes. You'll write TCL and Python scripts to automate flow steps, help physical designers debug timing and congestion issues, and work with tool vendors on bugs.

Responsibilities

  • Run synthesis and place and route using Cadence Genus, Innovus, and Cerebrus
  • Write scripts in TCL and Python to automate and improve the physical design flow
  • Help physical designers debug timing, congestion, and design rule issues
  • Work with tool vendors to report bugs and test flow improvements
  • Maintain flow documentation and regression testing

    • Required Qualifications

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
  • Coursework or project experience in VLSI or digital IC design
  • Understanding of the RTL to GDS flow, including synthesis and place and route
  • Scripting experience in TCL, Perl, or Python

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
  • Experience with Cadence or Synopsys physical design tools
  • Familiarity with static timing analysis
  • Familiarity with physical design rules on advanced process nodes
  • Experience using AI tools such as Claude for flow development
  • Internship or tape-out experience, including class or university tape-outs

    • Base Salary Range:

    Base Pay Range$120,000—$150,000 USD

    Submission GuidelinesPlease note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at SambaNova Systems, you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.

    EEO PolicySambaNova Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

    Benefits Summary for US-Based, Full-Time Employment PositionsSambaNova offers a competitive total rewards package, including the base salary, plus equity and benefits. We cover 95% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, and 77% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution. We also offer Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans in addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options like Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care. Our library of well-being benefits available to you and your dependents includes a full subscription to Headspace, Gympass+ membership with access to physical gyms, One Medical membership, counseling services with an Employee Assistance Program, and much more.

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