This role pays more than
52%
of similar roles. Most pay
$177,250–$233,050
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$205k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing
Microsoft currently has
518 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 505 roles with salary data.
As a Principal CAD Engineer - Physical Verification, you will join the Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and Infrastructure Engineering team to drive state-of-the-art Physical Verification CAD solutions for advanced silicon design. You will own the end-to-end signoff methodology, including DRC, LVS, ERC, Antenna, and ESD flows across multiple programs. Your daily responsibilities involve developing and maintaining production-ready flows from early design through final signoff, debugging complex issues, and managing tool stability and runtime scalability. You will also lead the deployment of AI-enabled agents to automate Physical Verification and PERC workflows. The role requires expertise in industry-standard tools like Calibre, along with scripting skills in TCL, Python, or Perl for automation. You will collaborate with EDA partners and internal teams to ensure flow validation across various technology variants and foundry decks.
Develop and maintain Physical Verification flows including DRC, LVS, ERC, antenna, and advanced checks across all silicon projects.
Own the Physical Verification methodology by defining guidelines, checklists, milestone definitions, and waiver strategies.
Debug complex physical verification issues and identify systemic design or flow gaps to drive technical fixes.
Manage tool stability, runtime scalability, deck integration, and cross-tool debugging for the Physical Design team.
Coordinate with EDA partners and internal teams to communicate requirements and influence roadmap priorities.
Support PDK and node enablement activities to ensure flows are production-ready across multiple technology variants.
Develop and deploy AI-enabled agents to automate and optimize Physical Verification and PERC workflows.
Create training materials, documentation, and onboarding labs for the silicon organization.
What we're looking for
A Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of technical engineering experience.
A Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience.
A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of technical engineering experience.
Equivalent experience to the specified degree and experience combinations.
Ability to pass a Microsoft Cloud background check and meet export control regulations regarding citizenship or residency status.
Hands-on experience with Physical Verification checks including DRC, LVS, ERC, Antenna, and Metal Fill (preferred).
Proficiency with industry-standard PV tools such as Calibre (preferred).
Scripting skills in TCL, Python, Perl, or equivalent for flow automation and data analysis (preferred).