Physical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Physical Design Manager

Company: Marvell Technology

Location: Petah Tikva, Israel

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering Management / Semiconductor Physical Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-21

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the physical design and implementation of complex switching chips, from RTL to GDSII, ensuring successful tape-outs.

• Manage a team of physical design engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Drive the achievement of target speed, area, and power metrics for cutting-edge semiconductor products.

• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure solutions that power cloud, enterprise, and AI architectures.

• Uphold Marvell's commitment to quality, innovation, and inclusivity within the Switch PD Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is clearly focused on the technical and managerial aspects of semiconductor physical design, specifically for switching chips. The emphasis on RTL to GDSII, tape-out timelines, and performance targets (speed, area, power) are core to this domain. The "Your Team, Your Impact" section highlights the group's strategic importance in delivering complex, high-quality chips.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the physical design flow for large, complex switching chips, from RTL synthesis to final GDSII tape-out.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of physical design engineers, providing technical guidance and performance management.

• Define and implement physical design methodologies and flows to meet aggressive targets for timing (speed), power consumption, and area utilization.

• Collaborate closely with RTL design, verification, DFT, and layout teams to ensure seamless integration and issue resolution.

• Drive innovation in physical design techniques, exploring and adopting cutting-edge technologies and tools to enhance efficiency and performance.

• Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring on-time tape-outs and successful chip launches.

• Conduct regular design reviews, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and roadmap for the Switch PD Group, aligning with Marvell's overall business objectives.

• Ensure adherence to quality standards and best practices throughout the physical design process.

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in semiconductor technology, EDA tools, and physical design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are expanded to reflect a managerial role in physical design, encompassing team leadership, strategic process definition, cross-functional collaboration, and technical oversight across the entire PD flow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (BSc or MSc) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in semiconductor physical design.

• Several years of demonstrated experience in a management or team lead role within the physical design domain. Required Skills:

• Deep understanding and hands-on experience with the full physical design flow (RTL to GDSII), including synthesis, place and route, clock tree synthesis (CTS), static timing analysis (STA), power analysis, and physical verification (DRC/LVS).

• Proven experience managing and leading teams of physical design engineers, including performance management, mentorship, and technical guidance.

• Proficiency in industry-standard EDA tools for physical design (e.g., Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens EDA) for synthesis, place & route, timing analysis, and verification.

• Strong knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., TCL, Perl, Python) for flow automation and tool integration.

• Excellent understanding of semiconductor device physics, process technologies, and their impact on physical design.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Experience managing complex chip implementations, including large designs with demanding performance, power, and area (PPA) requirements. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced semiconductor process nodes (e.g., 7nm, 5nm, 3nm).

• Familiarity with Design for Test (DFT) methodologies and their integration with physical design.

• Experience with power integrity (PI) analysis and sign-off.

• Knowledge of advanced packaging technologies and their impact on physical design.

• Experience in developing and implementing physical design methodologies and flows.

• Familiarity with AI, Cloud, and Enterprise architecture concepts and their implications for semiconductor design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific EDA tool categories and scripting languages are added as standard requirements for a Physical Design Manager. Preferred skills are also expanded to include common advanced topics in the field.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful management of physical design projects from conception to tape-out, showcasing team leadership and project execution.

• Provide examples of complex chip designs (preferably switching chips or similar high-performance logic) where you led the physical implementation.

• Showcase your team's ability to meet and exceed challenging PPA (Power, Performance, Area) targets, with quantifiable results.

• Illustrate your strategic approach to defining and optimizing physical design flows and methodologies.

• Present evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (RTL, Verification, DFT) to achieve project goals. Process Documentation:

• Examples of documented physical design flows, including methodology, tool configurations, and sign-off criteria.

• Case studies detailing the implementation of new physical design techniques or automation scripts that improved efficiency or PPA.

• Process for managing design constraints, conducting timing/power/area analysis, and resolving critical design issues.

• Documentation of risk assessment and mitigation strategies employed during complex chip development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to a management role, focusing on leadership, project execution, strategic process development, and quantifiable results rather than individual technical contributions alone.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

An estimated annual salary range for a Physical Design Manager in Israel, with 10+ years of experience and management responsibilities in the semiconductor industry, would typically fall between ₪500,000 and ₪850,000 (approximately $135,000 - $230,000 USD, depending on exchange rates). This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior engineering management roles in high-tech sectors in Israel, considering factors such as company size, complexity of the role, and market demand.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation package, including base salary, potential bonuses, and stock options.

• Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Professional Development opportunities, including access to training, conferences, and certifications.

• Support for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

• A collaborative and inclusive work environment that values transparency.

• Opportunities for career advancement within Marvell's global organization.

• Potential for relocation assistance if applicable. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• While on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and project needs.

• Occasional overtime may be required during critical project phases, such as pre-tape-out or post-silicon bring-up, to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: A regional salary estimate for Israel is provided, with a clear disclaimer about conversion rates and the methodology used. Specific benefits are also detailed based on common offerings for such roles in the tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Semiconductor Manufacturing / Data Infrastructure Technology. Marvell is a key player in providing the foundational semiconductor solutions for the world's data infrastructure, serving critical markets such as enterprise, cloud, AI, and carrier networks. This requires a constant drive for innovation and high-performance solutions.

Company Size: Marvell Technology is a large, publicly traded company with a significant global presence, employing thousands of individuals. This size offers stability, extensive resources, and diverse career opportunities.

Founded: Marvell was founded in 1995, bringing decades of experience and established expertise in semiconductor design and innovation. This long history signifies a robust understanding of the market and a track record of enduring technological contributions.

Team Structure:

• The Switch PD Group is a specialized unit within Marvell's broader engineering organization, focused exclusively on the physical design and implementation of switching chips.

• Team members typically report to the Physical Design Manager, with potential for further layers of management for larger engineering departments.

• Close collaboration is expected with adjacent teams, including RTL design, verification, DFT (Design for Test), characterization, and product engineering. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with a strong emphasis on metrics for PPA (Power, Performance, Area) and tape-out timelines.

• Continuous process improvement and the adoption of cutting-edge EDA tools and methodologies are integral to maintaining a competitive edge.

• A culture of problem-solving and innovation is encouraged, with an expectation that engineers will proactively identify and address challenges.

• Quality is a core tenet, with rigorous verification and sign-off procedures to ensure high-fidelity chip implementations.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is enriched by linking Marvell's industry position to the specific demands of the Physical Design Manager role, emphasizing innovation and data infrastructure. Team structure and methodology are described with a focus on operations-relevant aspects like data-driven decisions and process improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the engineering function, specifically at the "Manager" level. It requires not only deep technical expertise in physical design but also proven leadership capabilities to manage a team and drive complex projects to successful completion. The scope includes strategic planning for the PD group and significant influence over product development timelines and quality.

Reporting Structure: The Physical Design Manager will typically report to a Director or Vice President of Engineering within the semiconductor division. They will directly manage a team of individual contributor physical design engineers. Collaboration will extend horizontally to peers in other engineering disciplines.

Operations Impact: The Physical Design Manager has a direct and critical impact on the company's ability to deliver high-performance semiconductor products on time and within budget. Successful tape-outs translate directly into revenue generation, market competitiveness, and Marvell's ability to support the demanding data infrastructure needs of its clients in cloud, AI, and enterprise sectors. Poor physical design execution can lead to significant delays, increased costs, and compromised product performance, directly impacting business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced process nodes, emerging physical design techniques (e.g., AI-driven P&R), or specific areas like power integrity or advanced DFT integration.

• Leadership Progression: Move into Director-level roles, managing larger teams or multiple engineering groups, with broader strategic responsibilities for entire product lines or R&D functions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into roles that oversee broader aspects of chip development, such as VPs of Engineering, leading multiple disciplines.

• Strategic Planning: Contribute more significantly to Marvell's long-term technology roadmap, R&D investment strategies, and competitive analysis.

• Mentorship Programs: Participate in or lead internal mentorship initiatives, guiding the next generation of semiconductor engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Career Level" is redefined as "Engineering Career Level" to accurately reflect the role. The "Operations Impact" is clearly articulated in terms of revenue, market competitiveness, and direct business outcomes, which is crucial for operations-focused roles. Growth opportunities are tailored to an engineering management path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, reflecting the collaborative and resource-intensive nature of semiconductor physical design. The role requires significant interaction with team members, access to specialized hardware and software, and close proximity to other engineering functions.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Petah Tikva, Israel, with potential opportunities or team presence in Yokneam, Israel. These are established hubs for high-tech and semiconductor engineering in Israel, offering access to a skilled talent pool and a supportive ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be a professional office environment, likely featuring dedicated workstations equipped with high-performance computing resources necessary for running complex EDA tool simulations and analyses.

• Expect a collaborative atmosphere, with open-plan areas interspersed with meeting rooms and private spaces for focused work and discussions.

• Access to state-of-the-art EDA software licenses and potentially specialized hardware for design verification and testing will be provided.

• Opportunities for frequent interaction with fellow physical designers, RTL engineers, verification specialists, and other members of the engineering team.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, on-site. While a 40-hour week is typical, the demands of semiconductor tape-outs often require flexibility, with potential for extended hours or weekend work during critical project phases to meet aggressive deadlines. Effective time management and prioritization are essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Office Type" is specified as "On-site" with clear reasoning relevant to the technical demands of the role. The context of the Israeli tech hubs is also highlighted.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume, assessing alignment with the minimum qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Physical Design Manager to assess technical depth in physical design, leadership experience, and team management philosophy. You may be asked to present high-level examples of past projects.

• Technical Panel Interviews: Multiple interviews with senior engineers and peers from the physical design team. These will likely involve in-depth technical questions, problem-solving scenarios, and discussions about your approach to PPA optimization, flow development, and complex design challenges.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with a leader from an adjacent team (e.g., RTL, Verification) to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of the broader chip development ecosystem.

• Executive/Director Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, alignment with company culture, and overall fit for the role and Marvell.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership: Your portfolio should highlight your role as a manager and leader, not just an individual contributor. Showcase how you guided teams to success.

• Quantifiable Achievements: For each project, present clear, quantifiable results related to speed, area, power, and tape-out success. Use metrics and data to prove impact.

• Process & Methodology: Detail your contributions to defining, refining, or implementing physical design processes and methodologies that improved efficiency or outcomes.

• Problem-Solving Case Studies: Prepare 2-3 detailed case studies of complex technical challenges faced by your team and how you led them to resolution.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate instances where you fostered effective collaboration with other engineering disciplines to overcome obstacles.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio highlights concisely, focusing on the most impactful projects and achievements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Depth: Brush up on advanced physical design concepts, STA, power analysis, and common PPA trade-offs.

• Management Scenarios: Prepare for questions about team motivation, conflict resolution, performance management, and resource allocation.

• Problem-Solving Framework: Be ready to walk through your thought process for tackling a hypothetical complex physical design problem.

• Company Research: Understand Marvell's product portfolio, its position in the market (especially regarding data infrastructure, cloud, AI), and its core values.

• AI Tool Policy: Be mindful of the strict policy against using AI tools during interviews; prepare to answer questions based on your own experience and knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is detailed with specific stages and types of questions expected. Portfolio and challenge preparation tips are tailored to a management role in physical design, emphasizing leadership, strategy, and quantifiable results. The AI tool policy is specifically highlighted.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Synthesis: Synopsys Design Compiler, Cadence Genus.

• Place & Route: Synopsys IC Compiler II (ICC2), Cadence Innovus.

• Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS): Integrated within P&R tools or dedicated tools.

• Static Timing Analysis (STA): Synopsys PrimeTime, Cadence Tempus.

• Power Analysis: Synopsys PrimePower/PrimeTime PX, Cadence Voltus.

• Physical Verification (DRC/LVS): Synopsys IC Validator, Cadence PVS/Virtuoso.

• Formal Verification: Synopsys Formality, Cadence Conformal.

• Layout Editors: Cadence Virtuoso.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Timing/Power Reports: Generated by STA and Power Analysis tools.

• Flow Monitoring Tools: Custom scripts or internal Marvell tools for tracking progress and identifying bottlenecks.

• Data Analysis Tools: Potentially Python with libraries like Pandas, NumPy for analyzing large result files.

CRM & Automation:

• Version Control Systems: Git, Perforce for managing design files and IP.

• Scripting Languages: TCL, Perl, Python for automating flows, tool setup, and data manipulation.

• Project Management Tools: Internal Marvell systems or common tools for tracking tasks and timelines.

• Bug Tracking Systems: Jira or similar for managing design issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section lists specific, industry-standard EDA tools and technologies relevant to semiconductor physical design management, providing a clear picture of the technical environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement novel physical design techniques and technologies to push performance boundaries.

• Excellence: A commitment to high-quality execution, meticulous attention to detail, and achieving top-tier PPA results.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where knowledge is shared freely, and cross-functional partnerships are strong.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of projects and deliverables, ensuring commitments are met and challenges are proactively addressed.

• Efficiency: Continuously seeking ways to optimize design flows, reduce turnaround times, and improve resource utilization.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless communication and collaboration with RTL design, verification, DFT, and other engineering teams are essential for successful chip development.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback and open discussion to identify and resolve issues early in the design cycle.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where engineers share best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights through regular team meetings, design reviews, and internal documentation.

• Results-Oriented: A shared focus on achieving project milestones and delivering high-quality, performant chips that meet market demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" are re-framed as "Team Culture & Values" and are tailored to reflect the specific cultural drivers within a semiconductor engineering team, emphasizing technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Aggressive PPA Targets: Meeting increasingly demanding Power, Performance, and Area targets on cutting-edge process nodes requires continuous innovation and optimization.

• Complex Design Architectures: Managing the physical implementation of highly complex switching chips with billions of transistors presents significant technical hurdles.

• Tight Tape-out Schedules: Balancing the need for thoroughness and quality with aggressive time-to-market pressures.

• Evolving EDA Tool Landscape: Staying proficient with and integrating new versions of complex EDA tools and methodologies.

• Team Management Dynamics: Effectively leading and motivating a diverse team of highly skilled engineers, fostering collaboration, and managing performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Process Node Expertise: Gaining deep experience with the physical design challenges and opportunities of the latest semiconductor manufacturing nodes.

• Leadership Development Programs: Marvell offers programs to enhance leadership, strategic thinking, and people management skills for its managers.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend leading semiconductor and physical design conferences (e.g., DAC, ICCAD) and specialized training courses.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with and influencing the adoption of next-generation EDA tools and physical design methodologies.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior engineers and learn from experienced leaders within Marvell.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed to reflect the specific technical and managerial difficulties in advanced semiconductor physical design. Growth opportunities are aligned with career progression in engineering management and technical specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting PPA requirements for a complex chip. How did you lead your team to a resolution?" (Focus on decision-making process, trade-offs, and team involvement.)

• "How do you ensure your team stays up-to-date with the latest physical design tools and methodologies?" (Highlight continuous learning, training, and adoption strategies.)

• "Walk me through your approach to managing a physical design project from RTL to GDSII, emphasizing key milestones, risk management, and stakeholder communication." (Demonstrate structured project management and proactive issue resolution.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Marvell's role in the data infrastructure and AI markets?" (Show research into Marvell's business and its strategic direction.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive environment within your engineering team, especially when facing tight deadlines?" (Connect your management style to Marvell's stated values.)

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams. How do you ensure alignment and effective communication?" (Provide concrete examples of successful collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary: Start with a high-level overview of your management experience and key accomplishments.

• Project Deep Dives: Select 2-3 impactful projects to detail. For each:

  • Briefly describe the chip's function and complexity.
  • Clearly state your role and the team's size.
  • Quantify the PPA results achieved (e.g., "achieved 15% improvement in performance with only 5% area increase").
  • Explain a significant technical challenge and how your leadership led to its resolution.
  • Highlight the collaborative efforts involved.

• Methodology & Tools: Briefly touch upon the key methodologies and EDA tools you utilized and how you ensured their effective application.

• Lessons Learned: Conclude with key takeaways or lessons learned that demonstrate continuous improvement.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for hypothetical situations involving design issues, team conflicts, or resource constraints.

• Technical Problem Solving: Expect questions that require you to outline a systematic approach to solving a complex physical design problem (e.g., fixing a timing violation across multiple blocks).

• Management Scenarios: Practice articulating your approach to performance reviews, motivating engineers, and managing project scope changes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions and preparation strategies are specifically crafted for a Physical Design Manager role, focusing on leadership, technical strategy, and Marvell's market context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Physical Design Manager position:

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

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your extensive experience in physical design, your successful track record in management, and your proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics (e.g., PPA improvements, on-time tape-outs).

• Portfolio Curation: Prepare a concise portfolio that showcases your leadership in managing complex physical design projects. Focus on case studies demonstrating your team's ability to meet PPA targets, resolve technical challenges, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review common interview questions for engineering managers in the semiconductor industry, focusing on leadership scenarios, technical problem-solving, and your experience with the physical design flow. Be ready to discuss your management philosophy and approach to team development.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Marvell Technology, its products (especially switching chips), its market position in data infrastructure, cloud, and AI, and its company culture and values. Understand the importance of the Switch PD Group within the organization.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions relevant to semiconductor physical design management. All details should be verified directly with Marvell Technology during the application and interview process.