Physical Design Engineer
Posted 19 Feb 2026
Advertised as “Principal Physical Design Engineer (RTL-to-GDSII)”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 14+ yrs
- Management level
- People management
- Employment
- Hybrid
No salary listed for this role.
EnCharge AI is a leader in advanced AI hardware and software systems for edge-to-cloud computing. EnCharge’s robust and scalable next-generation in-memory computing technology provides orders-of-magnitude higher compute efficiency and density compared to today’s best-in-class solutions. The high-performance architecture is coupled with seamless software integration and will enable the immense potential of AI to be accessible in power, energy, and space constrained applications. EnCharge AI launched in 2022 and is led by veteran technologists with backgrounds in semiconductor design and AI systems.
Job Title: Principal Physical Design Engineer (RTL-to-GDSII) Experience: 14+ Years Technology Focus: Sub-5nm (3nm/2nm) Location: Bangalore Hybrid The Vision We are seeking a Principal Physical Design Engineer who thrives on complexity and rejects the "black box" approach to EDA tools. This role is for a First Principles thinker who questions the status quo. If a standard flow isn't yielding the desired PPA (Power, Performance, Area), you dive into the PDK, the tool algorithms, and the methodology to find a better way. You are responsible for transforming raw RTL into world-class silicon by eliminating systemic bottlenecks and building a scalable, predictable path to GDSII.
Key Responsibilities
- Full-Flow Ownership: Lead the implementation of massive, high-speed blocks/SoCs from Synthesis through Sign-off using the Cadence Digital Suite.
- PPA Optimization: Push the theoretical limits of the PDK and tools. You will analyze and optimize the interplay between library cells, metal stacks, and tool engines to squeeze out every millivolt and picosecond.
- Methodology & Scalability: Build and refine a "Push-Button" style execution methodology that is robust, repeatable, and minimizes manual "human-in-the-loop" iterations.
- Cross-Functional "Left-Shift": Collaborate with RTL, Architecture, and DFT teams to influence design decisions early. You will drive a holistic approach where physical constraints inform the architecture, not just react to it.
- Bottleneck Elimination: Identify "drag" in the execution pipeline—whether it’s runtime, convergence issues, or tool limitations—and architect automated solutions to bypass them.
Technical Qualifications
Experience
14+ years in Physical Design with a proven track record of multiple tape-outs.