As a SoC Physical Design Engineer at Intel, your duties will encompass physical design implementation from RTL to GDS, utilizing industry-standard tools for Physical Synthesis and Place and Route. You'll perform verification and sign-off checks, optimize performance, and recommend fixes for design violations, all while participating in the development of physical design methodologies. This role is vital in achieving best-in-class designs.

To apply for the SoC Physical Design Engineer position at Intel, you must possess at least a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field along with 5+ years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience will also suffice. Familiarity with physical synthesis and EDA tools is a must.

Key skills for a SoC Physical Design Engineer at Intel include strong problem-solving abilities, expertise with EDA tools like Synopsys and Cadence, and proficiency in multiple power domain analysis. Additionally, excellent communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively in a high-paced environment are essential for success in this role.

SoC Physical Design Engineers at Intel typically utilize EDA tools such as Synopsys and Cadence for tasks like physical synthesis, place and route, and clock tree synthesis. Knowledge of power format handling through UPF or CPF is also important for managing various power domains effectively.

Intel offers a hybrid work model for the SoC Physical Design Engineer position, allowing employees to split their time between working on-site at Intel's Hillsboro location and off-site. This flexible approach is designed to support a balanced work-life integration while maintaining productivity.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of projects where you utilized EDA tools for physical design tasks. Mention specific tools you have used, such as Synopsys or Cadence, and describe how you approached challenges in physical synthesis and timing closure.

In your response, discuss the techniques you've employed for static timing analysis, emphasizing your understanding of constraints and clock stamping. You can also mention how you handle timing closure and any tools you've used in the process.

Explain your methodology for handling power domain analysis, ideally referencing your use of UPF or CPF formats. Provide details about how you've optimized designs for multiple power domains in previous projects.

Outline your process for reliability verification by discussing key checks you perform, such as static and dynamic power integrity assessments, layout verification, and electrical rule checking. Mention specific experiences where these checks were critical.

Provide a specific example of a challenging design problem you encountered. Detail the steps you took to analyze the issue, the solutions you proposed, and the outcome. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and determination.

Discuss your approach to collaboration in fast-paced settings, emphasizing your communication skills and teamwork strategies. Share experiences where effective collaboration led to successful project outcomes.

Talk about the strategies you implement for performance optimization, such as co-optimization with process teams. Provide examples demonstrating how your optimization efforts resulted in notable improvements in design performance.

In your answer, recount a specific incident where you encountered design violations, explaining how you discovered the issue and the remediation steps you took to resolve it while ensuring compliance with electrical rules.

Describe your proficiency in programming languages like Python, Perl, or TCL, and provide examples of how you've leveraged these skills to enhance design automation, script development, or other tasks related to physical design.

Craft a thoughtful response explaining your interest in Intel, touching on its commitment to innovation and technology. Express enthusiasm for contributing to cutting-edge projects and alignment with the company’s mission to enrich lives through technology.