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Physical Design Engineer

OpenAI· Scaling
Apply on company site
San Francisco$266k - $445kFull-timePosted 10mo ago

About the role

OpenAI seeks a Physical Design Engineer to develop PPA-optimized datapath and interconnect solutions for next-generation AI accelerators. The role collaborates with RTL designers, builds tools and flows for physical implementation, and drives timing, power, and area trade-offs to improve silicon performance and cost efficiency.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, build and own tools, flows and methodologies for physical implementation
  • Own physical implementation of floorplan blocks from floorplanning to final signoff
  • Collaborate with RTL designers to drive optimal block implementation solutions
  • Analyze and optimize design for timing, power, and area trade-offs, working in collaboration with EDA vendors and ASIC partners

Qualifications

  • BS w/ 4+ years or MS with 2+ years or PhD with 0-1 year(s) of relevant industry experience in physical design and methodology development
  • Demonstrated success in taping out complex silicon designs
  • Hands-on experience with block physical implementation and PPA convergence
  • Strong coding experience with python, bazel, TCL
  • Strong experience building physical design tools, flows and methodologies
  • Strong understanding of microarchitecture, RTL design, physical design, circuit design, physical verification and timing closure
  • Deep familiarity with industry-standard tools and flows for physical synthesis, PNR, LEC and power estimation

Skills

Required:Physical design toolingFloorplanning and signoffRTL collaborationPythonBazelTCLTiming closure and PPAPhysical synthesis, PNR, LEC and power estimationMicroarchitecture and RTL understanding

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
  • Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
  • 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
  • Relocation support for eligible employees
  • Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends
Last updated Sep 17, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About OpenAI

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