CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer

As a CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer at Google, you will work on custom CPU design for Pixel SoCs, driving architectural feasibility studies and identifying power-performance-area tradeoffs. You'll be responsible for block/IP physical design implementation, continuous PPA improvements through synthesis, and working closely with RTL designers to debug timing paths. Additionally, you'll develop physical design methodologies, collaborate intensely with other engineers, and engage in sign-off areas like STA and electrical checks, ensuring efficiency and high performance in Google’s groundbreaking technology.

To be a successful candidate for the CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer role at Google, you need a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, along with a minimum of four years of experience in high-speed design and PPA optimization. Preferred qualifications include a Master's or PhD focused on computer architecture and proficiency in physical design techniques, timing problem resolution, as well as solid scripting and data mining skills. Your background will help enhance the innovative work done in this domain.

At Google, the work environment for a CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer is collaborative and innovative. You'll be part of a team that pushes technical boundaries in a fast-paced atmosphere, developing custom silicon solutions for products used worldwide. Expect a supportive culture that emphasizes teamwork, continuous learning, and the sharing of best practices. Being part of a highly skilled team means that your contributions will make a tangible impact on products loved by millions, boosting both your professional development and job satisfaction.

In the role of CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer at Google, PPA optimization encompasses power performance area improvements in custom designs. This involves leveraging industry-standard tools to analyze and refine design decisions, aiming to deliver efficient and high-performance chips for our products. You'll be experimenting with synthesis and place-and-route trials while closely working with various stakeholders to ensure that designs meet stringent performance metrics while being cost-effective and timely in production.

As a CPU Physical Design Implementation Engineer, you can expect a competitive base salary ranging from $132,000 to $189,000, along with additional bonuses, equity, and extensive benefits. Google’s comprehensive benefits package includes health care, retirement plans, and various wellness and professional development programs, ensuring that employees are well-supported in both their professional and personal lives. The exact compensation may vary based on your location, experience, and other job-related skills.

When answering this question, be specific about the methodologies you've used, particularly any industry-standard tools for physical design. Highlight how you've integrated these methodologies into your projects to achieve optimal results. Discuss challenges faced during implementation and how your solutions contributed positively to the overall project outcomes, especially focusing on performance or efficiency enhancements.

Demonstrate your methodology for timing analysis, explaining how you identify critical paths and what tools you utilize. Discuss specific experiences where timing analysis played a key role in design verification, and highlight your adaptability in addressing timing violations and optimizing circuits for performance.

To answer this question effectively, mention the vital dimensions of power, performance, and area that you're focused on. Discuss trade-offs among these areas, and provide examples from past projects where you've successfully balanced these factors to meet design specifications without sacrificing quality or performance.

Elaborate on your approach to teamwork, particularly in resolving timing issues with RTL designers. Share examples of how you’ve effectively communicated complex technical issues and facilitated constructive discussions that led to solutions benefiting the overall design flow.

Explain your hands-on experience with sign-off checks, particularly Static Timing Analysis (STA). Share the types of analyses you've performed and the outcomes. Discuss your understanding of the importance of sign-off checks and their impact on project completion and product reliability.

Provide a specific scenario where your actions led to a measurable improvement in design performance. Discuss the strategies or methodologies you applied, the challenges faced, and how your initiative led to a successful project outcome.

Discuss your process of continuous learning, whether through attending workshops, participating in webinars, reading industry publications, or engaging in professional networks. Express your commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and technologies that improve design efficiencies and methodologies.

List programming languages or scripting talents that are relevant to physical design, such as Python, Perl, or TCL. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to automate processes or improve efficiency within design practices.

Share a specific example where you encountered a significant challenge. Explain the problem clearly, your thought process in resolving it, and the ultimate solution. Highlight any collaboration with team members and how the experience contributed to your growth as an engineer.

This is an opportunity to express your enthusiasm for Google's innovative environment and its commitment to pushing technological boundaries. Discuss how your career goals align with Google's mission and values, and why you believe your skills would contribute positively to their projects.