SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. FULL CHIP PHYSICAL DESIGN ENGINEER (SILICON ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering, ASIC implementation). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation silicon for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Your efforts will help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform SOC top level physical design; floor-planning, I/O, bump & RDL (redistribution layer) planning, hard IP integration, partitioning, power/ground grid generation, pin assignment, partition hardening, chip level clock, feedthrough, special interface, and interconnect planning, bus routing, sequential pipeline planning and top level design for testability (DFT) planning
Collaborate with chip architects, ASIC engineers, package engineers and block level physical design engineers to drive, chip floorplan reviews and identify area, interconnect, IP integration, and floorplan improvement opportunities
Perform chip timing budgeting and constraint pushdown to partition owners
Work with static timing analysis, physical verification, electromigration/voltage drop, noise and other signoff teams to achieve closure and tapeout on time
Run physical verification at chip level and provide feedback and guidance to block level physical design engineers to fix design rule check/layout versus schematic/antenna/electrical rule check/design for manufacturing violations
Develop/modify design flows as needed to meet the overall design quality of results and chip integration requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or computer science
5+ years of ASIC and/or physical design flow development experience in industry

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience and deep understanding of SOC top level physical design flows (floor-planning, I/O, bump & RDL planning, hard IP integration, partitioning, power/ground grid generation, pin assignment, DFT, partition hardening, special clock handling, feedthrough flows, special interface/interconnect planning and implementation)
Experience in IP integration (e.g. memories, I/O’s, analog IPs, SerDes, DDR etc.)
In-depth knowledge of industry standard EDA tools, understand their capabilities and underlying algorithms
Experience with large SOC designs (>10M gates) with frequencies in excess of 1GHZ
Strong knowledge of deep sub-micron FinFET technology nodes (7nm and below) design problems and solutions (leakage power, signal integrity, etc.) multi-corner and multimode timing closure, process variations, physical verification methodology and tapeout
Familiar with implementation or integration of design blocks using Verilog/System Verilog
Experience with clock domain crossings, DFT/Scan/MBIST/LBIST/JTAG/Boundary-scan testing and understanding impacts on physical design flow
Experience with high reliability design and implementations
Excellent scripting skills (csh/bash, Perl, Python TCL, Makefile etc.)
Self-driven individual with a can-do attitude, and an ability to work in a dynamic group environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Physical Design Engineer/Senior: $170,000.00 - $230,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

Sr. Full Chip Physical Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering)