Staff Physical Design, 3D Hybrid Bonding, SI Hardware

About the role

Staff Physical Design, 3D Hybrid Bonding, SI Hardware | Tesla (Tesla SI)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 268248 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

The Tesla SI 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 SI 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 SI 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 SI 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 is designing next-generation chips using advanced 3D IC architectures with hybrid bonding technology. As a Staff Physical Design Engineer, you will own the physical implementation of complex multi-die stacks — from floorplan through signoff — at the leading edge of die-to-die integration. This role is critical to delivering chips that meet aggressive performance, power, and area targets using sub-micron interconnect pitches.

What You'll Do

• Own physical design implementation for 3D IC designs including floorplanning, bond pad assignment, and face-to-face or face-to-back die stacking using hybrid bonding
• Implement and validate hybrid bond interface layouts, ensuring alignment with foundry design rules for copper-to-copper direct bonding
• Design and verify TSV, micro-bump, and C4 bump interconnects for power delivery and I/O paths
• Execute full physical design flow using Innovus, Synopsys 3DIC Compiler, and Calibre for layout generation and DRC/LVS signoff
• Identify and resolve signal integrity, power integrity, and thermal challenges specific to hybrid bonded 3D stacks
• Collaborate with packaging engineers and foundries to validate designs against process design kits and bonding process constraints
• Leverage SI agents to automate and optimize physical design flows, layout checks, and signoff tasks

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years in physical design with hands-on 3D IC and advanced packaging experience
• Proficiency with Innovus, Synopsys 3DIC Compiler, and Calibre
• Deep understanding of hybrid bonding interconnect technology, TSV design, micro-bumps, and C4 bumps
• Working knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, and thermal analysis in multi-die contexts
• Ability to use SI agents to drive automation across physical design and signoff workflows

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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation$128,000 - $312,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay 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.