About EtchedEtched is building the world’s first AI inference chip purpose-built for transformers, delivering over 10x the performance of NVIDIA GPUs. But that’s just the beginning. Our broader vision is to completely rethink the chip development lifecycle for a post-Moore world—enabling faster, more efficient custom silicon development than ever before. Backed by hundreds of millions from top investors, our team includes industry legends like Brian Loiler (who built products driving 80% of NVIDIA’s revenue), David Munday (who built Google’s TPU v1–v5 software and firmware stack), Mark Ross (former Cypress CTO), and Ajat Hukkoo (renowned Broadcom and Intel design exec). Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.Job SummaryWe’re looking for a Head of Physical Design to lead the end-to-end RTL-to-GDSII path for our next-generation transformer inference ASICs. You’ll own all aspects of physical implementation — from floorplanning and synthesis through P&R and signoff — and lead a world-class team of PD engineers to deliver first-pass silicon that’s fast, reliable, and production-ready. This is a rare opportunity to shape the physical design strategy at a company where timing to market and uncompromising performance are critical to success.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn and optimize all facets of physical design, including floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and timing closure for complex AI acceleratorsBuild and lead a high-performing PD team, including engineers focused on implementation, flows, and signoffDefine and drive physical signoff strategy, ensuring DRC, LVS, ERC, and CDC are achieved with marginPartner closely with RTL, DV, backend, and methodologies teams to ensure seamless integration and handoff across the stackGuide block-level and chip-level floorplanning with input on timing budgets, power domains, and interconnect strategyDrive early architecture and microarchitecture input to reduce rework and enable schedule predictabilityInterface with EDA vendors and the foundry to integrate cutting-edge tools, flows, and node-specific optimizationsLead the development of…
