Startups · AI

CPU Custom Library and Memory Layout Lead

NUVACORE · Austin · Hybrid

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About NUVACORE

NUVACORE builds for the stratosphere. Maximum performance. Absolute area efficiency. No compromise. A general-purpose CPU core designed to excel everywhere, from core infrastructure to advanced AI systems, including the continuous demands of agentic computing. Backed by Sequoia.

About the role

As a Custom Library and Memory Layout Lead, you will participate in the following : Lead physical layout of custom library cells (flip-flops, clock-gating cells, level shifters, AOI cells) and custom memory arrays (bit cell arrays, sense amps, decoders, register files) at advanced process nodes - own layout prototyping of critical cells.

What they're looking for

  • Hold a BS or MS degree with 12+ years of experience in custom/standard-cell and/or memory layout at advanced CMOS nodes
  • Hands-on transistor-level layout experience with static circuits and state-retaining elements (latches, flops), as well as memory arrays — bit cells, sense amps, decoders — at advanced CMOS nodes
  • Deep knowledge of DRC/LVS/antenna rules, parasitic extraction, and layout-versus-schematic closure using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g. Virtuoso, Calibre, StarRC)
  • Strong understanding of layout-dependent effects, matching and symmetry techniques, and their impact on circuit PPA and variation
  • Experience providing layout-driven feedback to foundry partners on PPA, yield, and DRC/PDK improvements
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working directly with circuit design, foundry, and CAD partner teams
More about this role

Nuvacore is building ground-up high performance, low-power CPU for next-generation compute workloads. As a member of the CPU-specific custom circuit design team, you will enable the design to achieve the target PPA specifications for the product.

As a Custom Library and Memory Layout Lead, you will participate in the following :

Lead physical layout of custom library cells (flip-flops, clock-gating cells, level shifters, AOI cells) and custom memory arrays (bit cell arrays, sense amps, decoders, register files) at advanced process nodes - own layout prototyping of critical cells.

Own end-to-end layout closure: floorplanning, logic/SRAM place-and-route, DRC/LVS/antenna clean-up, parasitic extraction hand-off, and mitigation of layout-dependent effects (LDE).

Partner with circuit design, Foundry/PDK, CAD, and DFT teams to co-optimize layout for PPA, manufacturability, and yield; validate IP on testchips.

Define and drive layout methodology and automation — including P-cell/script-based layout generation and DRC/LVS regression — to raise design efficiency and set team-wide best practices.

Manage layout vendors and contractors to scale layout execution across macro designs and cells —...

Read the full posting on NUVACORE's site ↗

PHYSICAL DESIGN

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