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Cpu Synthesis Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... engineer for our CPU Gate Level Synthesis role to assess and optimize design quality ... In this role, the candidate would be a part of Apple's industry-leading CPU design team, working in ...

... engineer for our CPU Gate Level Synthesis role to assess and optimize design quality ... In this role, the candidate would be a part of Apple's industry-leading CPU design team, working in ...

OR · Hybrid

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design ... Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a ...

Description As a CPU Physical Design Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Drive RTL-to-GDS design convergence through logic synthesis and place-and-route tools targeting ...

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design ... Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a ...

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design ... Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a ...

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design ... Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a ...

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design ... Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a ...

Description As a CPU Physical Design Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Drive RTL-to-GDS design convergence through logic synthesis and place-and-route tools targeting ...

Description As a CPU Physical Design Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Drive RTL-to-GDS design convergence through logic synthesis and place-and-route tools targeting ...

Description As a CPU Physical Design Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Drive RTL-to-GDS design convergence through logic synthesis and place-and-route tools targeting ...

Description As a CPU Physical Design Engineer, you will drive or participate in the following: • Drive RTL-to-GDS design convergence through logic synthesis and place-and-route tools targeting ...

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Cpu Synthesis Design Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do cpu synthesis design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu synthesis design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges a CPU Synthesis Design Engineer faces when transitioning from RTL to gate-level implementation?

One of the primary challenges for CPU Synthesis Design Engineers during the transition from RTL to gate-level implementation is balancing timing, area, and power constraints while ensuring functional correctness. This process often involves iterative synthesis runs and close collaboration with both RTL designers and physical design teams to resolve timing violations and meet performance targets. Additionally, engineers must be adept at analyzing synthesis reports and debugging issues related to logic optimization or tool constraints, which requires a strong understanding of both the CPU architecture and EDA tool flows.

What is the difference between Cpu Synthesis Design Engineer vs Cpu Verification Engineer?

AspectCpu Synthesis Design EngineerCpu Verification Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and optimizing hardware logic for CPU synthesisVerifying CPU functionality and performance through testing
Required SkillsHardware description languages, synthesis tools, digital designHardware description languages, verification methodologies, simulation tools
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, hardware development labsTesting labs, simulation environments
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, CPU design firmsSemiconductor companies, CPU manufacturers

The Cpu Synthesis Design Engineer focuses on creating and optimizing hardware logic for CPU synthesis, while the Cpu Verification Engineer concentrates on testing and verifying CPU functionality. Both roles require knowledge of hardware description languages and are essential in CPU development, but they serve different stages in the design process.

What are CPU Synthesis Design Engineers?

CPU Synthesis Design Engineers are specialized hardware engineers who transform digital CPU designs described in hardware description languages (HDL) into gate-level representations that can be manufactured as integrated circuits. They work on optimizing the CPU design for performance, power, and area, ensuring the design meets specification and is ready for fabrication. Their responsibilities often include logic synthesis, timing analysis, and collaborating closely with architecture and verification teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CPU Synthesis Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CPU Synthesis Design Engineer, you need a strong background in digital design, hardware description languages (such as Verilog or VHDL), and computer architecture, usually supported by a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard EDA tools for synthesis (like Synopsys Design Compiler or Cadence Genus), timing analysis, and scripting languages (such as TCL or Python) is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help you excel in cross-functional engineering environments. These skills ensure efficient and reliable CPU designs that meet performance, power, and area requirements in competitive semiconductor markets.
Infographic showing various Cpu Synthesis Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
CPU Gate Level Synthesis Engineer

CPU Gate Level Synthesis Engineer

Apple

Santa Clara, CA

$147K - $272K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, hard-working people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products! The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver groundbreaking Apple products!
Apple’s Silicon Engineering Group (SEG) is looking for a hardworking engineer for our CPU Gate Level Synthesis role to assess and optimize design quality. In this role, the candidate would be a part of Apple’s industry-leading CPU design team, working in a multi-functional role to ensure that our CPUs meet the highest standards for performance, power and area.
Description
As a CPU Gate Level Synthesis Engineer, you will drive the early-stage development of high-performance, low-power digital designs for cutting-edge high-performance CPUs. This role involves running RTL to gate level synthesis and finding opportunities to optimize timing, power, and area for micro-architectural features. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement synthesis methodologies, constraint development, DFT integration, RTL optimization and power analysis. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Early RTL health assessment to detect potential timing/gate-depth issues and collaborating with the RTL & physical design teams in exploring solutions
• Early stage power estimation and validation for new micro-architectural features
• Enhancing synthesis flows for good correlation to post-route to ensure high fidelity of synthesis-based feedback
• Work closely with DFT teams to ensure seamless integration of scan chain, ATPG, and MBIST into the synthesis flow
• Partner with timing team to enable constraints generation at top levels
• Debug and resolve timing, power, and area issues, ensuring efficient and scalable designs
• Track and analyze PPA trends through project cycle
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate should ideally possess CPU implementation experience
Proficiency in scripting languages (TCL, Perl, Python) for automation and flow optimization
Strong problem-solving, debugging, and collaboration skills in a fast-paced environment
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum BS and 3+ years of relevant industry experience
Experience in digital logic design, RTL synthesis, and physical design
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $272,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976