SoC Clocking Specialist (Physical Design)

Location: India

Department: Hardware

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with the SoC Architecture and RTL teams to define optimal clocking schemes, clock gating strategies, and synchronous/asynchronous boundaries.
• Clock Tree Implementation: Own the end-to-end Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS) strategy, working alongside the Physical Design and Static Timing Analysis (STA) teams to drive timing closure, minimize skew, and optimize insertion delay.
• SPICE Simulation & Analysis: Run detailed SPICE simulations (using HSPICE, CustomSim, etc.) on critical clock paths to accurately model and analyze jitter, duty cycle distortion, slew degradation, and local on-chip variation (OCV).
• Power & Performance Optimization: Architect custom clock distribution networks (trees, meshes, or hybrid topologies) that meet stringent high-frequency requirements while strictly managing dynamic power—a critical factor for edge AI silicon.
• IP Integration: Integrate and validate high-speed clocking IPs (PLLs, DLLs, oscillators) into the top-level SoC clock network.
• Methodology Development: Establish and refine CTS and SPICE analysis methodologies to ensure silicon predictability from RTL to GDSII.

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, VLSI Design, or a related field, with 8+ years of experience in semiconductor physical design, with a strong focus on clocking architecture and implementation.
• Technical Expertise:
• Deep understanding of high-performance clock tree methodologies across advanced process nodes.
• Proven hands-on experience running and analyzing SPICE simulations for clock networks.
• Thorough understanding of STA constraints, jitter budgeting, cross-talk, and variation modeling.
• EDA Tool Proficiency: Strong command over industry-standard EDA tools for physical design and timing (e.g., Synopsys ICC2/PrimeTime or Cadence Innovus/Tempus) and circuit simulation.
• Collaboration & Problem Solving: Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to align cross-functional teams (Frontend, Design Verification, PD, and Sign-off) around complex technical solutions.
• Scripting/Automation: Proficiency in Python, Tcl, or Perl to automate flows and analyze large timing datasets.

• The opportunity to be part of a ground-up silicon engineering team in India.
• Meaningful impact on the architecture and execution of cutting-edge AI hardware.
• A collaborative environment focused on engineering excellence and innovation.