Sr Staff, Physical Design Architect (Flow & ML Automation)

About SiFive

As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits.

At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.  

Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions.  Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time. 

Are you ready?  

To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.

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Overview

As the RTL-to-GDS Flow Lead, you will be the primary architect of the physical implementation backbone for our next-generation, high-speed CPU cores. This is a high-visibility role focused on pioneering automated, ML-driven methodologies that push Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) beyond industry standards on N3 and N2 process nodes. You will bridge the gap between architectural intent and physical reality, ensuring predictable, world-class execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Methodology Leadership: Architect, validate, and deploy "Best-of-Class" RTL-to-GDS recipes tailored for high-frequency CPU implementation.
• ML-Driven Optimization: Lead the integration and scaling of AI/ML optimization tools (e.g., Synopsys DSO.ai) to autonomously navigate the massive PPA design space.
• Strategic EDA Engagement: Serve as the primary technical interface with EDA partners (Synopsys) and IP providers to influence tool roadmaps and co-optimize Standard Cell/SRAM libraries for PPA.
• Hierarchical Strategy: Define the global floor planning, budgeting, and integration strategies for multi-million gate, high-speed hierarchical designs.
• Predictability & Scale: Design and maintain robust build systems, automated dashboards, and execution checklists to ensure "push-button" predictability and minimize manual intervention.
• PPA Modeling: Early-stage PPA estimation and pathfinding to influence RTL and architectural trade-offs.

Requirements

• Expertise: 10+ years of experience in Physical Design with a proven track record of closing high-speed CPUs (3GHz+).
• Education Qualification: A Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in E&E, ECE, CS, or VLSI is required.
• Advanced Nodes: Deep, hands-on experience with TSMC N3 is required; exposure to N2 is highly preferred.
• Tool Mastery: Power-user knowledge of the Synopsys Fusion Design Platform (Fusion Compiler, IC Compiler II, PrimeTime).
• AI/ML Integration: Demonstrated experience deploying ML-based design space optimization tools in a production environment.
• Systemic Automation: Expert-level proficiency in Python, Tcl, or Perl, with a mindset for building scalable, maintainable "Flows-as-Code."
• Analytical Depth: Deep understanding of timing closure, IR drop, electromigration (EM), and crosstalk challenges unique to high-performance cores.

Additional Information:

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in:

Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.

SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.