Bolt Graphics is a semiconductor startup based in Sunnyvale, CA building the fastest and most efficient graphics processors. We pride ourselves on our first principles approach to solving problems. We are energized by our mission to reduce the barrier of entry for content creation and consumption. Our goal is to enable everyone to easily create, simulate and consume immersive experiences as vividly as they can imagine them.
Our Values
- Be Fearless: Unmute yourself. Test boundaries and get proven right.
- Remain Adaptable: Stay comfortable in a continuously changing world. If you’re wrong, concede and move on.
- Educate Your Ego: Selflessly collaborate towards our shared purpose.
About the role:
As a Staff / Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for driving full-chip or block-level physical implementation from netlist to GDSII. You will play a critical role in achieving timing, power, and area (PPA) targets while ensuring high-quality tapeouts.
What you'll do:
- Own end-to-end physical design flow: synthesis support, floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and signoff
- Drive timing closure (setup/hold) across multiple PVT corners using advanced STA methodologies (OCV/POCV)
- Perform and debug DRC/LVS/EM/IR issues and drive clean signoff
- Work closely with RTL, architecture, and verification teams for design convergence
- Handle ECO flows, including late-stage timing and functional fixes
- Optimize designs for power, performance, and area (PPA)
- Integrate and validate hard macros (SRAMs, IOs, analog blocks)
- Support GLS, SDF generation, and debug timing-related issues
- Develop and enhance automation scripts (TCL/Python) for PD flows
- Collaborate with foundry/vendor teams during tapeout and signoff
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 8–12 years of experience in ASIC physical design
- Proven experience in full-chip or large block implementation and tapeouts
- Strong expertise in:
- Floorplanning and power planning
- Placement, CTS, routing, and physical verification
- Static Timing Analysis (STA) and timing closure
- Hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as:
- Synopsys ICC2 / Cadence Innovus
- Synopsys PrimeTime
- Mentor Calibre
- Experience with advanced nodes (7nm and below preferred)
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with low-power design techniques (UPF/CPF)
- Knowledge of EMIR analysis (e.g., Ansys RedHawk-SC)
- Familiarity with multi-voltage designs and power domains
- Experience with high-speed interfaces or complex SoCs (CPU/GPU/AI)
- Exposure to GLS and timing-related silicon debug
- Scripting expertise in Python/TCL
Bolt is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment in which we recognize and value each other’s differences as well as fostering a culture that promotes its core values: Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 8-12 years of ASIC physical design experience
- Proven full-chip or large block implementation and tapeout experience
- Expertise in floorplanning and power planning
- Expertise in placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and physical verification
- Strong experience in Static Timing Analysis (STA) and timing closure across PVT corners (OCV/POCV)
- Hands-on experience with Synopsys ICC2 or Cadence Innovus
- Hands-on experience with Synopsys PrimeTime (STA)
- Hands-on experience with Mentor Calibre for physical verification (DRC/LVS)
- Experience driving ECO flows, late-stage timing and functional fixes, and tapeout/signoff collaboration with foundry/vendor teams
- Ability to integrate and validate hard macros (SRAMs, IOs, analog blocks)
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills for PD and silicon timing issues
- Experience with advanced process nodes (7nm and below)
- Scripting expertise (Python/TCL) for automation of PD flows
- Familiarity with low-power design techniques (UPF/CPF) and EM/IR analysis (e.g., Ansys RedHawk-SC)
What We Do
Bolt Graphics is a semiconductor startup building the fastest and most efficient graphics processors. Power consumption continues to rise with minimal performance improvements, resulting in increased cost and negative environmental impact. Hardware hasn’t kept up with consumer expectations, especially in industries like architecture, engineering, film, advertising, gaming, & scientific research. Our customers came to us to solve their two main problems: performance and power consumption. At Bolt Graphics, we constantly ask ourselves, “Why is it done this way?” and “How can we do it better?” This mindset enables our team to achieve orders of magnitude faster renders and simulations and drives our goal for everyone to create, simulate, and consume immersive experiences.
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