As a R&D Software Engineer at NVIDIA, you will join a cutting-edge team focused on developing advanced EDA tools for VLSI design optimization, combining internal innovations with external technologies. Your daily tasks include inventing new optimization engines that integrate traditionally separate processes to enhance chip frequency and reduce power consumption, improving algorithms in C++ for various physical design steps, and collaborating closely with design teams to deploy solutions. The role requires expertise in VLSI algorithms development using C++, knowledge of timing optimization concepts, familiarity with tools like ICC2 and Innovus, and experience in high-performance software design including multithreading and distributed computing. Ideal candidates possess a Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, along with a passion for continuous improvement in physical design processes to achieve superior power, performance, and area (PPA) metrics.
Skills
C++
Python
Perl
Tcl
ICC2
Innovus
PrimeTime
Tempus
StarRC
VLSI
Reinforcement Learning
GNNs
Graph Neural Networks
Multithreading
Distributed Computing
CI/CD
What you'll do
Invent new optimization engines that integrate multiple independent processes for better chip performance.
Enhance algorithms for gate-level sizing, buffering, clock skew management, cell legalization, power minimization, ECO routing, and parasitic extraction.
Develop high-performance software using C++14 or newer features like lambdas and concurrency.
Collaborate on the discovery and deployment of new optimization opportunities within design teams.
Craft efficient multithreading and distributed computing solutions to improve physical design processes.
Apply machine learning frameworks such as reinforcement learning and GNNs to enhance VLSI design tools.
What we're looking for
Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
Proven experience developing VLSI algorithms using C++.
Expertise in VLSI timing optimization concepts and design implementation tools.
Experience with high-performance software design, including multithreading and distributed computing.
Understanding of how to fuse multiple Physical Design steps for better PPA.
Familiarity with reinforcement learning, GNNs, and other machine learning frameworks applied to physical design.
Strong dedication to continuous improvement in software development.
Market check
Salary context
This
$116,000–$189,750
range sits above
24%
of similar postings on FindRole.
Peer median band
$142,500–$219,200
Median floor and ceiling across peers.
Typical midpoint (25–75%)
$153,100–$216,250
Middle half of comparable postings.
Based on 240 comparable postings.*
* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.
Employer
About Nvidia
Nvidia is a leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-chip units, powering gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and artificial intelligence workloads. Industry: Semiconductors & AI Computing
Nvidia currently has
801 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$184,000–$287,500
across 797 roles with salary data.
Us, Ca, Santa Clara, US59 days ago
$168,000–$264,500
C++
Python
ICCAD tools
Innovus
Computational geometry
Graph theory
Algorithm development
Multithreading
Distributed computing
High performance software design
GUI development
Machine learning
VLSI Physical Design
Us, Ca, Santa Clara, US14 days ago
$116,000–$189,750
C++
EDA
RTL synthesis
digital logic optimization
graph-based algorithms
AI
ML
GNNs
RL
high performance computing
multithreading
distributed computing
Verilog
SystemVerilog
static timing analysis
power & area optimization
SAT solvers
Verific
Espresso
Us, Ca, Santa Clara, US59 days ago
$168,000–$264,500
C++
Verilog
SystemVerilog
EDA
RTL synthesis
digital logic optimization
graph-based algorithms
AI
ML
GNNs
RL
DFT
clock distribution
power gating
placement
congestion
timing analysis
SAT solvers
technology mapping
clustering
min cost tree covering
high performance computing
multithreading
distributed computing
Us, Ca, Santa Clara, US113 days ago
$168,000–$264,500
Python
PyTorch
C++
SystemVerilog
CUDA
VLSI
EDA
ASIC
Digital VLSI Circuits
Machine Learning
Generative AI
Computer Arithmetic
AI Hardware Micro-Architecture
IC Design Methodology
Us, Ca, Santa Clara, US31 days ago
$100,000–$166,750
Linux
Windows
x86
ARM
BMC
PCIe
GPU
High Performance Computing
AI
Oscilloscopes
Logic Analyzers
Multi-meters
Linux Environments
Enterprise System Architecture
CPU Architecture
Technical Documentation
Product Specifications
Hardware Design Guides
Application Notes