Physical Design Engineer
- Salary
- $180,000 - $280,000 annually
- Level
- Mid
- Work type
- On-site · Sunnyvale
Not stated in the posting: visa.
Open. First seen 3 October 2026.
About the role
Cerebras Systems's standard text
Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.
This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.
Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.
About The Role
Join our close-knit physical design team where you will drive high-impact PPA strategy—actively shaping power, performance, and area tradeoffs in direct collaboration with the RTL team. You will excel in and own all disciplines of physical design and implementation from RTL to tapeout, ensuring your blocks integrate seamlessly into our full-chip architecture.
Skills & Qualifications:
Required:
- 7+ years of physical design & physical verification experience.
- Strong knowledge of block level and full-chip physical verification methodology.
- Strong experience in block/subsystem timing closure.
- Expert at optimizing for the best power/performance and area.
- Experience with the complete physical design flow.
- Expert with ICV or Calibre tools resolving block and full-chip DRC and LVS issues.
- Expert with IR/EM analysis and resolution.
- Strong background in STA, constraint drafting and timing convergence at block, partition and fullchip.
- Should demonstrate and raise the bar for “ownership”, “deep dive” and should demonstrate strong fundamental understanding of PD concepts.
- Good understanding of full chip floor planning and integration.
- Strong ability in scripting languages like Tcl and Python. Ability to make flow enhancements.
- Demonstrated ability to work with RTL teams to optimize for physical design.
- Skills in Design Compiler, Fusion Compiler, ICC2 or similar physical design tools.
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of high speed CPU/GPU design a plus.
- Experience with high-speed IO design and 3rd party IP integration.
- Block/partition PD, PDV, IR would be good to have.
- Knowledge of Synopsys tool suite is a plus.
The salary range for this position is $180,000 – $280,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and location
Cerebras Systems's standard text
Why Join Cerebras
People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:
- Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
- Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
- Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
- Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
- Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.
Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here!
Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!
Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.
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What this role asks for
In most of Cerebras Systems's ads
Python
Named in most of its open postings, whatever the role.
47% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Cerebras Systems's standard text, folded away below.
Read against Cerebras Systems's other open postings on this site.
The team: Silicon
This role is one of 6 open in Silicon.
WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS
Python (6 of 6), Embedded Systems (3 of 6), Perl (3 of 6), Verilog (3 of 6), FPGA (2 of 6)
OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM
- Senior Staff AI Accelerator Performance Architect posted Sep 17
- Staff Design Verification Engineer posted Aug 12
- Senior Staff Design Verification Engineer posted Aug 7
- Lead RTL Design Engineer posted Aug 7
- Design Verification Engineer posted Jun 4
From the team and dates on Cerebras Systems's own job board.
Salary context
8 other open postings titled Physical Design Engineer state a salary: median USD 200,000 to USD 347,500 a year.
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