Principal Engineer, STA

Role Overview

Astera Labs is hiring a Principal Engineer, Static Timing Analysis to own top-level timing closure and signoff for our next-generation connectivity silicon powering rack-scale AI infrastructure. In this role, you'll drive full-chip STA strategy across advanced process nodes, partner with physical design, RTL, DFT, and CAD teams, and ensure first-pass timing success on some of the most complex SoCs in the industry.

This is a high-impact technical leadership role at a hyper-growth company purpose-built for AI connectivity. Your work directly enables the PCIe, CXL, UALink, and Ethernet platforms that hyperscalers depend on — and you'll have the ownership, influence, and tooling to do the best work of your career.

Key Responsibilities

• Full-Chip STA Signoff & Timing Closure
• Own end-to-end top-level STA signoff across multiple modes, corners, and operating conditions (MMMC) for complex AI connectivity SoCs
• Drive timing convergence on advanced process nodes (5nm/4nm/3nm and below) from early floorplan through tapeout
• Analyze and resolve setup, hold, recovery/removal, and clock-domain crossing (CDC) timing violations at the chip level
• Methodology & Flow Development
• Define and evolve STA methodology, constraints (SDC) strategy, and signoff criteria across the organization
• Develop and automate flows using PrimeTime, PrimeTime SI, and related signoff tools for crosstalk, noise, and IR-aware timing
• Establish best practices for hierarchical STA, ETM/IPXACT model generation, and budgeting across blocks
• Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
• Partner with Physical Design, RTL, DFT, CAD, and Package teams to drive timing-aware design decisions from architecture through tapeout
• Review and sign off on block-level timing handoffs, ensuring consistency between block and top-level closure
• Collaborate with low-power design teams on UPF/CPF, multi-voltage, and clock-gating timing implications
• Mentorship & Technical Strategy
• Mentor STA engineers and review timing reports, ECOs, and signoff collateral
• Drive root-cause analysis of silicon timing issues and feed learnings back into methodology
• Influence tool selection, EDA vendor engagements, and STA roadmap for future products

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in Static Timing Analysis on complex ASIC/SoC designs
• Proven track record of full-chip top-level STA signoff on at least one tapeout at advanced nodes (7nm or below)
• Deep expertise with PrimeTime, PrimeTime SI, and SDC constraint development
• Strong understanding of clocking architectures, CDC, OCV/AOCV/POCV, crosstalk, and IR-aware timing
• Proficiency in scripting (Tcl, Python, Perl) for STA flow automation and report analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed connectivity SoCs (PCIe Gen 6/7, CXL, UALink, or Ethernet)
• Familiarity with hierarchical STA, ETM/ILM models, and timing budgeting across large partitions
• Experience with low-power signoff (UPF/CPF), multi-voltage domains, and DVFS timing implications
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and mentorship skills in a fast-paced product environment