Physical Design Engineer

As a Physical Design Engineer at HARMAN, you'll take on several responsibilities that include the design and implementation of high-performance integrated circuits. You'll work with advanced tools for logic synthesis, place and route, timing analysis, and ensure the physical and electrical quality of designs. This role also requires strong communication skills as you'll collaborate with diverse teams across various geographies, making project multi-tasking an essential part of your day.

To qualify for the Physical Design Engineer role at HARMAN, you typically need to have over ten years of professional experience in physical design, particularly with high-performance designs. It's important to have a strong background in working with CPUs, GPUs, DPUs, and memory controllers, as well as proficiency in design tools and scripting languages like Perl, Tcl, or Python. A deep understanding of computer architecture and advanced knowledge of sub-7nm nodes will also be advantageous.

HARMAN is committed to fostering growth for its Physical Design Engineers by providing access to innovative technologies and resources. By working in a collaborative and inclusive environment, you’ll have numerous opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, take on challenging projects, and enhance your skills. HARMAN's culture encourages lifelong learning and professional development, allowing you to progress your career within the company.

In the role of a Physical Design Engineer at HARMAN, you will use a variety of industry-standard tools for logic synthesis, timing analysis, and design checks. Familiarity with schematic design, layout tools, and circuit simulation is also expected. Your experience with scripting languages like Perl, Tcl, or Python will enable you to automate design processes, making your contributions to projects more efficient and streamlined.

The work environment for Physical Design Engineers at HARMAN is collaborative and dynamic, thriving on innovation and teamwork. HARMAN promotes diversity and inclusivity, allowing individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives. You will work alongside talented engineers and designers who are passionate about technology and dedicated to making a difference in the industry.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you worked on high-performance IPs like CPUs or GPUs. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your technical skills and contributions to the design process.

Be prepared to discuss the specific timing analysis tools you've used, how you've applied them in past projects, and any insights you've gained regarding performance optimization or quality assurance through those tools.

Describe your methodology for quality assurance, including design checks, verification processes, and the importance of thorough documentation. Mention any specific tools or practices you implement to maintain high quality in your work.

Share a specific example of a design flow you automated using scripting languages like Perl, Tcl, or Python. Explain the steps you took, the challenges you encountered, and the results of your automation efforts.

Discuss your communication strategies, including tools and methods you use to keep team members informed. Mention your adaptability in working across different cultures and time zones, and how you ensure alignment on project goals.

Reflect on typical challenges such as timing closure, power optimization, or meeting design specifications, and share how you have successfully addressed these issues in previous roles.

Articulate your knowledge of the intricacies involved in designing for sub-7nm processes, such as power consumption, heat dissipation, and design tool requirements. Highlight any relevant experience you have in this area.

Your answer should include methods such as attending webinars, participating in industry conferences, reading technical journals, or being involved in relevant online communities. Show your commitment to continuous learning in the field.

Explain how creativity is essential not just in the design aspect but also in problem-solving and optimizing layouts. Share examples of how innovative thinking led to successes in your projects.

Convey your enthusiasm for HARMAN's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork. Discuss how the aligning values and your career goals make HARMAN the ideal company for your professional aspirations.