Senior/Lead STA Engineer

Published: 6/14/2022

Technology

Job Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior/Lead Static Timing Analysis (STA) Engineer to drive timing closure and signoff for complex, high-performance semiconductor designs. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in STA methodologies, timing constraints, signoff flows, and cross-functional timing closure across advanced process nodes.

This role requires strong technical ownership, the ability to debug complex timing issues, and close collaboration with RTL, synthesis, physical design, clocking, and signoff teams.

Key Responsibilities

Own and drive full-chip and block-level STA from early implementation through final timing signoff.

Develop, review, and validate timing constraints including SDC, clocks, generated clocks, IO constraints, exceptions, and modes/corners.

Perform detailed setup/hold timing analysis across MCMM/PVT corners.

Drive timing closure and identify root causes of critical timing violations.

Analyze and debug issues related to clock skew, OCV/AOCV/POCV, SI/crosstalk, derates, uncertainty, and variation.

Work closely with physical design teams to resolve timing issues through optimization of placement, CTS, routing, buffering, sizing, and ECOs.

Review timing reports and identify opportunities for performance, power, and area optimization.

Support timing signoff methodology development, flow automation, and quality improvements.

Partner with RTL and synthesis teams to identify constraint, logic, and architectural issues impacting timing.

Participate in signoff reviews and provide technical guidance on timing risks and closure status.

Mentor junior and senior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex timing problems.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish schedules, milestones, and timing closure strategies.

Required Qualifications

12–18 years of experience in semiconductor/ASIC design with significant hands-on STA experience.

Strong understanding of static timing analysis and timing signoff methodologies.

Expert knowledge of Synopsys PrimeTime or equivalent STA tools.

Strong expertise in SDC constraints, clock definitions, timing exceptions, and MCMM analysis.

Deep understanding of setup/hold analysis, clock timing, OCV/AOCV/POCV, CPPR, SI/crosstalk, and variation effects.

Experience with advanced-node timing closure and complex SoC designs.

Strong understanding of synthesis, physical design, CTS, routing, and ECO flows.

Proficiency in Tcl scripting; Python or Perl experience is a plus.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.