K2 Space

Principal ASIC Physical Design Engineer

United States - Remote · Principal

Sponsorship not specified$190k-$280kDetected 20 days ago

Vendor ManagementCadenceElectrical EngineeringLeadershipCommunicationCollaboration

About the role

We are looking for a Principal ASIC Physical Design Engineer to lead the implementation of complex SoCs for next-generation satellite and space systems.
This role also involves managing external physical design partners, driving tool and flow decisions, and ensuring first-pass silicon success in advanced FinFET technologies.
You will be part of a collaborative design team developing state-of-the-art mixed-signal SoCs to be hosted on some of the largest, most powerful, rapidly designed and rapidly manufactured satellites ever deployed in space.

Own the complete RTL-to-GDSII flow: synthesis, floorplanning, place & route, clock tree synthesis (CTS), static timing analysis (STA), physical verification (DRC/LVS), and sign-off.
Develop and maintain physical design methodologies, scripts, and automation to optimize performance, power, and area (PPA).
Collaborate with front-end and verification teams to ensure clean handoffs, timing closure, and efficient design iteration.
Drive timing closure across multiple voltage and process corners, including sign-off with foundry-qualified tools.
Partner with package, SI/PI, and test teams for package-aware floorplanning and chip-to-board integration.
Manage and technically guide external physical design partners and service vendors, ensuring alignment on milestones, deliverables, and quality standards.
Work with EDA vendors to debug and optimize tool flows, and evaluate new methodologies.
Support chip bring-up and debug through close collaboration with post-silicon and test teams.
Support your product through production and spaceflight.
You will own the full physical design flow-from RTL handoff to GDSII-and collaborate closely with architecture, RTL design, DFT, and packaging teams.

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
10+ years of experience in ASIC physical design for high-performance SoCs.
Proven end-to-end expertise in RTL-to-GDSII flows using industry tools (Synopsys, Cadence, or Siemens).
Strong hands-on experience with timing closure, IR drop analysis, and ECO implementation.
Experience with advanced FinFET process nodes.
Familiarity with DFT integration, STA sign-off, and power domain implementation (UPF/CPF).

Exposure to radiation-hardened or space-qualified ASICs.
Experience with chip-package co-design or advanced packaging (2.5D/3D).
Experience driving tapeouts through TSMC.
Experience with Gate-All-Around technologies.
Experience working in cross-functional, geographically distributed teams.
If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply!
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans).

Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T.

Base salary range for this role is $190,000 - $280,000 + equity in the company
Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer
employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person

This listing is sourced directly from K2 Space's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.