# CPU Physical Design (RTL Feasibility) at NUVACORE

> Hybrid · United States · Unspecified · Software engineering · open. Source: https://alderhq.app/jobs/lever%3Anuvacore%3A6e5a5d5d-ffd5-4e1a-9d06-b12b808600dc (read 2026-11-06).

## Facts (observed)

- Company: [NUVACORE](https://alderhq.app/companies/nuvacore)
- Location text: Austin, TX; Bangalore; Santa Clara, CA
- Where it can be done from (inferred): Hybrid · United States (evidence: "Location lists "bangalore"")
- Posted: 2026-09-18 (49 days ago)
- First seen by alder: 2026-11-02 · last verified: 2026-11-04
- Reposted: 0 times · edited: 0 times
- Apply on the employer's site: https://jobs.lever.co/nuvacore/6e5a5d5d-ffd5-4e1a-9d06-b12b808600dc
- Skills listed (inferred): Python

## Pay and sponsorship

- Posted pay: $140k–$250k per year (from the listing's pay field)
- Market band for similar posted roles (Austin, n 122): p25 $140k, median $185k, p75 $214k
- H-1B filings at this company for similar roles, FY26: 7, median offered wage $183k ([US DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/performance))

## Description (the employer's text)

At NUVACORE we're designing a new general-purpose CPU core for the sustained, intensive demands of AI infrastructure and agentic computing, not the workloads of the past.As physical design engineers focused on design feasibility you will focus on providing power, performance, and area feedback to the RTL team to ensure the design achieves all metrics and targets.

THE ROLE

As a CPU Physical Design (PD) Engineer, you will participate in the following :

Lead RTL/micro-architecture feasibility studies, providing actionable feedback to design teams.

Drive PPA outcomes for CPU units with a focus on timing closure and power optimization.

Collaborate cross-functionally with CPU unit owners, custom circuit designers, CAD, RTL/micro-architecture, and performance modeling teams.

Own the RTL intake process for the PD team, enforcing quality standards and ensuring design readiness before RTL handoff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Hold a BS or MS degree with 12+ years of experience (for Lead roles) or 5+ years of experience (for Individual Contributor roles) in CPU physical design.

Strong foundation in CPU micro-architecture (µArch) concepts and design principles.

Experience in CPU RTL feasibility, including RTL synthesis and floor planning.

Deep expertise in timing analysis and timing ECO.

Proficiency with Synopsys or Cadence EDA tools for PD in CPU design context.

Demonstrated history of successful production tape-outs.

Track record of driving PPA optimization for CPU units through effective RTL feedback and cross-functional collaboration.

Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end physical design closure across all sign off domains.

Strong communication skills with the ability to build processes and infrastructure from the ground up

REQUIREMENTS — PREFERRED

Experience with some CPU units as block ownership taking from RTL to GDS (Tape-out).

Proven track record in PPA optimization across CPU designs and EDA tooling

Deep expertise in Physical Design (PD) sign off methodologies, including Formal Equivalence Verification (FEV), Voltage & Clock LP (VCLP), EM/IR analysis, Static Timing Analysis (STA), Extraction (EXT), and associated sign-off flows

Proficiency in Python, Perl, and TCL for design automation and flow development.

Experience in using Agentic AI tools for productivity and automation.

The next great CPU won't build itself. We’re assembling a world-class team across every layer of CPU development, from architecture and design to verification, physical implementation, software, infrastructure, and product delivery. Every discipline matters, and every person has the opportunity to help shape the technology from the ground up.

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Data: alder (https://alderhq.app). Cite https://alderhq.app/jobs/lever%3Anuvacore%3A6e5a5d5d-ffd5-4e1a-9d06-b12b808600dc and the date you read it. Observed facts come from the employer's own listing; location reach, level, family and skills are inferences.