Company: Qualcomm India Private Limited

Job Area: Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Hardware Engineering

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Synthesis Engineer/Lead to join our NPU (Neural Processing Unit) design team. In this role, you will drive RTL-to-GDS synthesis and timing closure for high-performance AI/ML accelerators used in next-generation SoCs. You will work closely with Architecture, RTL Design, STA, DFT, and Physical Design teams to deliver high-quality, power-productive silicon on advanced technology nodes.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of Hardware Engineering or related work experience.

Key Responsibilities

- Own RTL-to-gate synthesis and timing closure for NPU IPs and subsystems.
- Develop and maintain synthesis flows, constraints, and automation for complex hierarchical designs.
- Drive pre-layout and post-layout timing closure across multiple modes and process corners.
- Optimize designs for PPA (Performance, Power, Area) targets using physical-aware synthesis methodologies.
- Create, validate, and maintain timing constraints (SDC), clock definitions, false paths, and multi-cycle paths.




- Collaborate with RTL, DFT, STA, and Physical Design teams to resolve QoR, timing, power, and convergence issues.
- Perform quality checks including LEC, CDC, lint, and low-power verification.
- Analyze and improve synthesis QoR through scripting and flow enhancements.
- Support tapeout activities and drive continuous improvements in synthesis methodologies.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- Strong understanding of ASIC design flow from RTL to GDS.
- Hands-on experience with RTL synthesis, timing closure, and constraint development.
- Expertise in Synopsys Design Compiler/Fusion Compiler or Cadence Genus.
- Strong timing analysis knowledge using PrimeTime.
- Experience with low-power design methodologies and UPF-based flows.
- Good understanding of clocking architecture, timing constraints, and timing signoff.
- Proficiency in TCL and scripting languages such as Python or Perl.
- Excellent debugging, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience working on AI/ML accelerators, NPU, DSP, GPU, CPU, or other high-performance compute architectures.
- Knowledge of advanced technology nodes (5nm, 4nm, 3nm and below).
- Experience with physical-aware synthesis and hierarchical design methodologies.
- Familiarity with LEC, CDC, lint, power analysis, and low-power verification flows.
- Proven track record of successful SoC or IP tapeouts.

📌 NPU AI/Processor Synthesis Engineer- Sr Lead (Hyderabad)
🏢 Qualcomm
📍 Hyderabad