Staff CAD Flow Engineer, Physical Implementation & Sign Off, AI Hardware

What To Expect
The Tesla AI Hardware team is at the forefront of revolutionizing artificial intelligence through cutting-edge hardware innovation. Comprising brilliant engineers and visionaries, the team designs and develops advanced AI inference chips tailored to accelerate Tesla’s machine learning capabilities. A key part of this effort is Dojo, Tesla's custom supercomputer system built to efficiently train massive neural networks on vast video data from the fleet. The work of Tesla's AI Hardware team powers the neural networks behind Full Self-Driving (FSD), and Tesla humanoid robot, Optimus, pushing the boundaries of computational efficiency and performance. By creating custom silicon and optimized architectures, the team ensures Tesla remains a leader in AI-driven automotive and energy solutions, shaping a future where intelligent machines enhance human life. Tesla's AI Hardware Team is looking for experienced, highly skilled VLSI engineers who enjoy working across the logic, circuit, methodology, and physical design levels. Our physical design team is growing to tackle a wider range of projects, building on our in-house SOC design expertise. This position entails the design, construction and integration of SOCs, IP, circuits, tool flows, and methodologies into systems using advanced technologies - from definition through characterization.

Our AI Hardware engineering team builds and maintains the end-to-end CAD infrastructure that powers tapeout for complex SoC and 3D IC designs. As a Staff CAD Flow Engineer, you will own the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of implementation and signoff flows — from RTL to GDS. You will be at the center of how we scale design productivity and PPA optimization using agentic AI-driven flows.

What You'll Do

Build and maintain RTL-to-GDS implementation flows including synthesis, placement, routing, and signoff integration
Own CTS flow development and optimization — tune clock tree strategies to achieve PPA targets across frequency, power, and area
Develop and manage ECO flows — functional ECOs, timing ECOs, and metal-only ECOs — with robust LEC validation at each stage
Set up and validate electrical analysis flows including static/dynamic IR drop, EM, and power analysis integration within the implementation flow
Develop power intent flows — implement and validate UPF/CPF-driven multi-voltage domain strategies through synthesis and P&R
Maintain parasitic extraction flows and ensure correlation between implementation and signoff tools
Build MMMC timing flows — manage corner and mode configuration for setup, hold, and signoff convergence
Integrate physical verification (DRC/LVS) and formal equivalence checking (LEC) as continuous checkpoints within the flow
Develop and deploy agentic AI flows to automate flow execution, detect bottlenecks, triage violations, and drive closure decisions without manual intervention
Evaluate and adopt new EDA tool capabilities — drive tool bring-up, qualification, and regression benchmarking


What You'll Bring

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience
20+ years of CAD flow development and physical implementation experience on complex SoCs
Deep expertise in CTS methodologies and clock architecture optimization for PPA
Hands-on experience with industry P&R and synthesis tools (Innovus, Genus, Fusion Compiler, or equivalent)
Strong command of ECO methodologies — timing, functional, and metal ECO flows through tapeout
Experience building power analysis and power intent flows (UPF/CPF, multi-voltage)
Proficiency with signoff integration — STA, EMIR, DRC/LVS, and parasitic extraction within a unified flow
Ability to develop, deploy, and scale agentic AI flows for design automation and autonomous closure


Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
Tesla Babies program
Commuter benefits
Employee discounts and perks program


Expected Compensation

$128,000 - $312,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

, Tesla
Show more Show less