Physical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Physical Design Manager

Company: Marvell Technology

Location: Westborough, MA, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Semiconductor Engineering Operations

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years (Principal Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute physical design (PD) and timing closure strategies for high-performance processor and accelerator silicon, targeting AI, cloud compute, and networking applications.

• Act as a player-coach, providing direct technical contribution and hands-on guidance to a small team of Physical Design engineers.

• Drive critical execution phases for next-generation custom silicon solutions, ensuring power, performance, and scalability objectives are met.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Static Timing Analysis (STA), RTL, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to resolve complex technical challenges.

• Manage technical escalation points and provide day-to-day execution guidance, prioritizing tasks and technical direction for the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly defined as a "player-coach" with a strong emphasis on hands-on technical contribution, not a pure people management position. Success is measured by direct delivery and technical ownership. The operations aspect lies in managing the complex, multi-disciplinary process of silicon design and ensuring efficient execution and timely delivery of critical infrastructure components.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical owner for physical design and timing closure on assigned blocks, partitions, or subsystems within complex SoCs.

• Perform hands-on physical design implementation, including floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and optimization.

• Conduct detailed timing analysis, identify critical paths, and develop robust closure strategies for advanced CMOS process technologies.

• Lead late-stage debug and convergence efforts, acting as a key technical escalation point to resolve stalled progress.

• Mentor and guide a small team of Physical Design engineers, providing technical direction, prioritization, and daily execution oversight.

• Coordinate closely with STA, RTL, CAD, and Program Management teams to ensure seamless integration and resolution of interdisciplinary issues.

• Support the hiring, onboarding, and ramp-up of new team members while maintaining technical ownership and delivery accountability.

• Clearly communicate execution status, identify risks, and articulate technical tradeoffs to engineering leadership and stakeholders.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of physical design methodologies and flows for future silicon generations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep involvement in the core technical execution of silicon design, specifically focusing on the operational aspects of bringing complex hardware designs to fruition. This includes process management, resource allocation (team guidance), risk management, and cross-functional workflow coordination, all critical to successful GTM for semiconductor products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 10-15 years of relevant professional experience.

• OR Master’s degree and/or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5-10 years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

• Proven track record of delivering timing-closed ASICs or complex SoCs at a principal level.

Required Skills:

• Principal-level physical design expertise, including floorplanning, placement, CTS, routing, and optimization for advanced nodes.

• Deep understanding of advanced timing concepts, including Signal Integrity (SI), Clock Domain Crossing (CDC), Low Voltage Dynamic (LVF), and Power-On-Clock-Validation (POCV) methodologies.

• Strong proficiency with Physical Design (PD) and Static Timing Analysis (STA) tools, such as Synopsys PrimeTime or equivalent.

• Advanced scripting skills (e.g., TCL, Perl, Python) for automation and flow development.

• Strong proficiency in UNIX/Linux environments.

• Demonstrated ability to operate as a player-coach, contributing technically while guiding a small team.

• Experience leading PD engineers in a first-line, hands-on capacity, including mentoring and talent development.

• Proven ability to coordinate execution across cross-functional teams with clear ownership and accountability.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience owning full-chip or large-subsystem PD and timing closure.

• Familiarity with timing methodology and flow development for cutting-edge technologies.

• Experience working with multi-site or globally distributed teams.

• Experience balancing Full-Time Employee (FTE) and contractor resources effectively.

• Understanding of leading-edge CMOS process technologies and their impact on physical design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize deep technical expertise in semiconductor physical design, which is a highly specialized operational function. The "player-coach" leadership requirement indicates a need for individuals who can not only execute complex technical tasks but also manage and guide a small, high-performing team through the intricate operational processes of chip development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Evidence of successful physical design and timing closure for complex ASICs or SoCs, demonstrating mastery of advanced process nodes.

• Case studies detailing specific challenges encountered in timing closure, SI, CDC, or power analysis, and the innovative solutions implemented.

• Examples showcasing proficiency in developing and executing closure strategies, not just reviewing results.

• Documentation of experience leading or mentoring a technical team, highlighting an ability to guide engineers through complex operational workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of documented physical design flows, from synthesis to tape-out, highlighting optimization checkpoints.

• Case studies on debug and convergence strategies for late-stage design issues, emphasizing systematic problem-solving.

• Evidence of experience collaborating with RTL, STA, and CAD teams, showcasing integrated process workflows.

• Documentation of contributions to timing methodology improvements or new flow development.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is crucial for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of operational excellence in physical design. It needs to showcase not just technical capabilities but also the ability to manage complex processes, solve intricate problems, and guide others through these operational challenges. This aligns with GTM operations where project execution and problem-solving are paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $185,900 - $275,170 per annum (USD)

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with a 2-year look-back feature.

• Comprehensive Family Support Programs designed to help employees balance work and home life.

• Robust Mental Health Resources to prioritize emotional well-being.

• Recognition and Service Awards programs to celebrate employee contributions and milestones.

• Relocation assistance provided for qualified candidates.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours (typically 40 hours per week), with the expectation of dedication to meet project timelines and deadlines, which may occasionally require extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of the principal-level expertise and leadership responsibilities expected. The benefits package, particularly the ESPP and family support, reflects a commitment to employee well-being and long-term financial security, which are important considerations for senior operations professionals. The mention of potential extended hours is typical for high-stakes engineering roles where project delivery is critical.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing / Technology. Marvell is a key player in providing semiconductor solutions that are foundational to the data infrastructure, serving enterprise, cloud, AI, and carrier markets. The company's focus on innovation in high-performance compute, intelligent data movement, and custom silicon positions it at the forefront of technological advancement in data infrastructure.

Company Size: Marvell Technology is a large, established technology company. Its significant presence in the semiconductor industry implies a structured yet dynamic operational environment with ample resources and opportunities for impact.

Founded: Marvell was founded in 1995, bringing decades of experience and execution in the semiconductor industry. This long history suggests a stable company with deep institutional knowledge and a proven ability to adapt to evolving market demands.

Team Structure:

• The Custom Processor and ASIC Solutions organization is a specialized unit within Marvell, focusing on delivering differentiated custom silicon.

• This role operates within a physical design team, likely structured with a lead engineer or manager overseeing individual contributors and potentially a small group of PD engineers.

Methodology:

• Marvell emphasizes using advanced physical design techniques and leading-edge CMOS process technologies.

• The company leverages innovative technology to enable new possibilities in high-performance compute and intelligent data movement.

• A player-coach model suggests a hands-on, execution-first approach to problem-solving and project delivery.

• Data-driven decision-making is implicit in the need for precise timing closure and performance optimization.

Company Website: https://www.marvell.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Marvell's position in the data infrastructure semiconductor market means this role is critical for enabling future technologies. The company's culture likely values deep technical expertise, execution rigor, and collaborative problem-solving, essential for complex GTM operations in the semiconductor space. The player-coach model suggests a culture that bridges hands-on engineering with leadership.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Physical Design Manager (Player-Coach). This is a senior individual contributor role with first-line leadership responsibilities. It signifies a high level of technical mastery and the beginning of formal people management, with a strong emphasis on direct contribution. The role is designed for experts who want to remain technically hands-on while guiding a team.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to engineering leadership within the Custom Processor and ASIC Solutions organization. The Physical Design Manager will directly lead a small team of PD engineers, establishing a clear reporting hierarchy for day-to-day execution and technical guidance.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on Marvell's ability to bring critical semiconductor products to market. Success in physical design and timing closure is fundamental to delivering high-performance, power-efficient chips that power AI, cloud, and networking infrastructure. The efficiency and quality of these designs directly influence product competitiveness, time-to-market, and ultimately, Marvell's revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced physical design techniques, emerging process technologies, and AI-driven design methodologies.

• Broader Leadership: Transition to broader management roles with larger teams and increased strategic influence over PD operations and methodologies.

• Methodology Development: Lead initiatives in developing and implementing next-generation physical design flows, automation, and best practices.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Expand influence across multiple design teams and projects, contributing to overall program success and operational efficiency.

• Mentorship and Talent Development: Build out the next generation of physical design engineers through structured mentorship and training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "player-coach" aspect offers a unique growth path for senior engineers who wish to retain hands-on technical involvement while developing leadership skills. This dual focus is valuable in operations roles where both execution and team management are critical for successful project delivery. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening technical expertise or expanding into strategic operational leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at Marvell's Westborough, Massachusetts location. The environment is likely a professional engineering office setting designed for collaboration and focused technical work.

Office Location(s): Westborough, MA, United States. This location provides access to a hub of technology and engineering talent in the Massachusetts area. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an office setting that fosters close collaboration with other engineering disciplines (RTL, STA, CAD, Program Management).

• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art EDA tools, high-performance computing clusters, and advanced design methodologies is standard for this type of role.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design reviews, and problem-solving sessions will be integral to the daily workflow, facilitating knowledge sharing and rapid issue resolution.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. However, given the critical nature of semiconductor design and time-to-market pressures, occasional extended hours or weekend work may be necessary to meet project milestones and achieve timely tape-outs. The emphasis is on delivering results within project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the need for direct, in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for complex engineering operations where immediate feedback and real-time problem-solving are essential. The workspace is expected to be equipped with the necessary high-performance computing resources and EDA tools typical for advanced semiconductor design.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Technical Screening: Conversation with an engineering manager or senior technical lead to evaluate core physical design and timing closure expertise.

• Player-Coach Assessment: An interview focusing on leadership style, team mentoring experience, and ability to balance technical contribution with guidance. This may involve scenario-based questions.

• Cross-Functional Team Interaction: Interviews with potential team members from STA, RTL, or CAD to assess collaboration style and technical synergy.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Comprehensive discussion covering technical depth, leadership approach, operational strategy, and career aspirations.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: May involve senior engineering leadership to confirm fit with Marvell's strategic objectives and operational standards.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: For each project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the methodology used, and the quantifiable results (e.g., timing improvements, power savings, area reduction).

• Detail Your Process: Explain your systematic approach to physical design and timing closure. Highlight how you identified issues, developed strategies, and executed solutions, especially for complex scenarios.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If possible, include examples where you mentored junior engineers, led technical discussions, or influenced design decisions. For this role, explicitly address your "player-coach" approach.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific EDA tools and scripting languages, and how you leveraged them to enhance efficiency or solve problems.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your portfolio in a structured, easy-to-follow manner. Focus on key achievements relevant to the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical technical challenges related to timing closure, SI, CDC, or new technology node implementation. Think about how you would approach diagnosing and solving these issues.

• Leadership Scenarios: Consider questions about how you would motivate a team, handle underperformance, prioritize tasks for multiple engineers, or manage conflicting technical opinions.

• Process Optimization: Think about how you would improve a physical design flow, implement new methodologies, or enhance collaboration between design teams.

• Company and Role Alignment: Research Marvell's current projects, technologies, and the company's strategic goals. Understand how this Physical Design Manager role contributes to those objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes both deep technical acumen and leadership capabilities, particularly the unique "player-coach" dynamic. Portfolio review should prioritize evidence of hands-on execution, strategic problem-solving within complex operational workflows, and mentoring ability. Preparing for technical and leadership scenarios will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Physical Design (PD) Suites: Synopsys Fusion Compiler, Cadence Innovus, or similar advanced place-and-route and physical synthesis tools.

• Static Timing Analysis (STA) Tools: Synopsys PrimeTime, Cadence Tempus, or equivalent for detailed timing analysis and closure.

• Layout Editors & Viewers: Tools for detailed layout review and manipulation.

• Power Analysis Tools: Tools for static and dynamic power estimation and optimization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Timing Analysis Reporting: Tools for generating and analyzing timing reports, identifying critical paths, and tracking closure progress.

• Design Rule Checking (DRC) & Layout Versus Schematic (LVS) Tools: Tools for ensuring design compliance with manufacturing rules.

• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in TCL, Perl, Python, or similar scripting languages for automating PD flows, data analysis, and custom tool development.

CRM & Automation:

• Version Control Systems: Git, Perforce for managing design data and code.

• Project Management & Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, or similar for tracking tasks, issues, and documentation.

• EDA Flow Management Tools: Tools or custom scripts to manage and orchestrate complex design flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard EDA tools for physical design and timing analysis is non-negotiable. The ability to automate processes through scripting is crucial for operational efficiency in this role. Familiarity with project management and version control systems is also expected for effective team coordination and data integrity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Execution Excellence: A strong bias for action and a commitment to delivering high-quality results on time, especially critical for tape-out schedules.

• Technical Rigor: A deep commitment to accuracy, thoroughness, and data-driven decision-making in all aspects of physical design and timing analysis.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to sharing information, constructive feedback, and working effectively across diverse engineering teams.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying and implementing new methodologies, tools, and techniques to enhance design efficiency and performance.

• Problem-Solving: A persistent and analytical approach to tackling complex technical challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active engagement with RTL, STA, CAD, and Program Management teams, fostering a shared understanding of goals and challenges.

• Process Review Culture: Regular design reviews and technical discussions where constructive feedback is encouraged to refine flows and designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights through documentation, presentations, and informal discussions.

• Player-Coach Synergy: A collaborative dynamic where the manager actively participates in technical tasks while simultaneously coaching and empowering team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: Marvell's culture likely emphasizes a blend of deep technical expertise, rigorous execution, and collaborative problem-solving. The "player-coach" model suggests a hands-on, supportive, and communicative leadership style that is crucial for managing complex operational processes in a high-stakes engineering environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Advanced Node Complexity: Navigating the intricate design rules, performance limitations, and manufacturing variations of leading-edge CMOS process technologies.

• Aggressive Timelines: Meeting demanding project schedules for complex ASIC/SoC designs, requiring efficient execution and proactive risk management.

• Balancing Performance, Power, and Area (PPA): Optimizing designs across these critical metrics requires deep technical insight and strategic decision-making.

• Leading a Small Team: Effectively guiding and mentoring engineers while remaining technically hands-on and accountable for delivery.

• Cross-Functional Dependencies: Managing dependencies and resolving issues with multiple engineering teams to ensure smooth workflow progression.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Technology Exposure: Working with the latest semiconductor technologies and EDA tools.

• Advanced Technical Training: Opportunities for specialized training in areas like advanced timing closure, SI mitigation, or new process node design kits.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Marvell's internal programs for developing management and leadership skills.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Potential for attending leading semiconductor design conferences (e.g., DAC, ICCAD) for knowledge sharing and networking.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior engineering leaders within Marvell and guiding junior engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the demanding nature of advanced semiconductor design operations. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening technical expertise in a highly specialized field and developing leadership capabilities within a technical context, offering a clear path for career advancement in operations and engineering management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex timing closure challenge you faced on a recent ASIC/SoC. What was your strategy, what steps did you take, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and technical depth)

• "As a player-coach, how would you balance your personal technical contributions with the need to guide and mentor your team on their tasks?" (Focus on leadership style and time management)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Marvell's role in the data infrastructure market, and how do you see this Physical Design Manager role contributing to those objectives?" (Demonstrate research and strategic alignment)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you foster collaboration among engineers with different specializations." (Assess cultural fit and communication style)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each significant project, clearly outline the challenge, your specific role, the methodology/process used, key solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results (e.g., achieved timing targets, power savings).

• Highlight the "Player-Coach" Aspect: Be ready to discuss specific instances where you guided junior engineers, resolved team-level technical roadblocks, or influenced design direction.

• Demonstrate Tool Fluency: Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with specific EDA tools and scripting languages, and how you leveraged them for efficiency and problem-solving.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the business impact of your contributions – how your work enabled product success, improved time-to-market, or reduced development costs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating technical expertise with operational context, demonstrating leadership through the "player-coach" lens, and showcasing an understanding of Marvell's business and operational priorities in the semiconductor industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Marvell Careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with physical design, timing closure, advanced nodes, and player-coach leadership. Quantify achievements with metrics related to performance, power, area, and schedule.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate examples of your most impactful physical design projects, focusing on demonstrating your technical depth, problem-solving skills, and leadership approach. Be ready to walk through a key case study in detail.

• Research Marvell: Understand the company's business segments (enterprise, cloud, AI, carrier), key products, and recent technological advancements to align your responses with their strategic goals.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for technical questions on PD/STA, leadership scenarios related to player-coach roles, and questions about your operational approach to design challenges.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.