Sr. Chip Physical Verification Engineer; Silicon Engineering

Sr. Full Chip Physical Verification Engineer (Silicon Engineering)

Sunnyvale, CA

Space

X is actively developing technologies to make human life on Mars possible. We are building rockets, spacecraft, and Starlink – the world’s largest satellite constellation. We seek an engineer to work on next‑generation silicon for space and ground infrastructures, enabling connectivity where reliability and affordability have been lacking.

• Own and execute full‑chip DRC, LVS, ESD, PERC, and antenna signoff using industry standard tools such as Calibre, ICV, or Pegasus.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize physical verification flows for advanced‑node SoCs.
• Interpret and implement foundry Design Rule Manuals (DRM) – translate rule updates into verified flow changes.
• Debug and resolve complex DRC/LVS violations across hierarchical full‑chip designs.
• Perform ESD verification – validate protection strategies, current paths, and CDM/HBM compliance.
• Drive tapeout readiness by coordinating signoff across block, top‑level, and hard IP design teams.
• Engage directly with foundry teams to resolve DRM ambiguities and waiver requests.
• Develop/modify design flows as needed to meet overall design quality of results and chip integration requirements.
• Leverage AI agents to automate rule‑deck validation, violation triage, and signoff reporting workflows.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
• 5+ years of ASIC and/or physical design flow development experience in industry.

• Deep understanding of SOC top‑level physical design flows (floor‑planning, I/O, bump & RDL planning, hard IP integration, partitioning, power/ground grid generation, pin assignment, DFT, partition hardening, special clock handling, feed through flows, special interface/interconnect planning).
• Experience in IP integration (memories, I/O, analog IPs, Ser Des, DDR, etc.).
• Expertise in DRC, LVS, PERC, and ESD verification methodologies.
• Hands‑on proficiency with Calibre, ICV (IC Validator), or Pegasus.
• Direct foundry DRM experience – able to read, interpret, and implement complex rule decks.
• Experience at advanced nodes (4 nm and below).
• Experience with large SOC designs (>10 M gates) at frequencies in excess of 1 GHz.
• Self‑driven individual with a can‑do attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment.

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.

Pay range:
Physical Design Engineer/Senior: $ – $ per year. The final salary will be based on job‑related qualifications, education, and experience.

In addition to base salary, eligible employees may receive long‑term incentives in the form of stock, stock options, or cash awards, along with discretionary bonuses. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; paid vacation (approximately 3 weeks), paid holidays, and sick leave.

Space

X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Space

X is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact