Timing Constraint Engineer

Cisco - San Jose, CA

Full-time

San Jose, CA

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Timing Constraint (SDC) Engineer role at Cisco's Common Hardware Group (CHG) focuses on developing and refining timing constraints for silicon, optics, and hardware platforms. This position requires strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of timing constraints, collaborating with ASIC teams to ensure seamless physical design closure and contribute to the development of next-generation networking chips.

Responsibilities

• Developing timing constraints at block, sub-chip, and full-chip levels in multiple timing modes.
• Performing quality checks such as duplicated constraints, promotion/demotion between block and top level SDCs, and checking timing for unconstrained endpoints, no clock, etc.
• Resolving design and flow issues and driving execution to ensure progress and accuracy.
• Participating in SDC validation, CDC delay check, and SDC flow development as needed.
• Developing methodologies, guidelines, and checklists to streamline STA work, along with advising the Physical Design team on best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering (or other equivalent field) with 8+ years of related work experience.
• Experience with block/full chip SDC development in functional and test modes.
• Experience in Static Timing Analysis and prior working experience with STA tools like PrimeTime/Tempus.
• Proficient in one or more of the following languages: Perl, TCL, Python, Makefile, or other related scripting languages.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree in electrical or computer engineering (or other equivalent field).
• Thorough understanding of Liberty file formats including standard cells/memory/IO/IP modeling and its usage in the ASIC flow.
• Prior experience with SDC debugging tools: Synopsys GCA/TCM, Cadence CCD.
• Strong communications skill and team player.

Benefits

• 10 days off each year for volunteer work
• Inclusive workplace culture
• Diversity and equality initiatives