Staff Physical Verification Engineer, AI Hardware

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Staff Physical Verification Engineer, AI Hardware

| Job Category | Tesla AI | | Location | Palo Alto, California | | Req. ID | 268249 | | Job Type | Full-time |

What to Expect

The Tesla AI Hardware team is at the forefront of revolutionizing artificial intelligence through cutting-edge hardware innovation. Comprising brilliant engineers and visionaries, the team designs and develops advanced AI inference chips tailored to accelerate Tesla’s machine learning capabilities. A key part of this effort is Dojo, Tesla's custom supercomputer system built to efficiently train massive neural networks on vast video data from the fleet. The work of Tesla's AI Hardware team powers the neural networks behind Full Self-Driving (FSD), and Tesla humanoid robot, Optimus, pushing the boundaries of computational efficiency and performance. By creating custom silicon and optimized architectures, the team ensures Tesla remains a leader in AI-driven automotive and energy solutions, shaping a future where intelligent machines enhance human life. Tesla's AI Hardware Team is looking for experienced, highly skilled VLSI engineers who enjoy working across the logic, circuit, methodology, and physical design levels. Our physical design team is growing to tackle a wider range of projects, building on our in-house SOC design expertise. This position entails the design, construction and integration of SOCs, IP, circuits, tool flows, and methodologies into systems using advanced technologies - from definition through characterization.

Our AI Hardware engineering team is taping out complex SoCs at advanced nodes. As a Staff Physical Verification Engineer, you will own the physical verification signoff flow end-to-end — from DRC and LVS through ESD and antenna — ensuring every design meets foundry requirements before tapeout. This role sits at the critical intersection of design correctness and manufacturability.

What You’ll Do

• Own and execute full-chip DRC, LVS, ESD, and antenna signoff using Calibre, ICV, or Pegasus
• Develop, maintain, and optimize physical verification flows for advanced node SoC and 3D IC designs
• Interpret and implement foundry Design Rule Manuals (DRM) — translate rule updates into verified flow changes
• Debug and resolve complex DRC/LVS violations across hierarchical full-chip designs
• Perform ESD verification — validate protection strategies, current paths, and CDM/HBM compliance
• Drive tapeout readiness by coordinating signoff across block and top-level design teams
• Engage directly with foundry teams to resolve DRM ambiguities and waiver requests
• Leverage AI agents to automate rule deck validation, violation triage, and signoff reporting workflows

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years in physical verification with full signoff ownership
• Deep expertise in DRC, LVS, and ESD verification methodologies
• Hands-on proficiency with Calibre, ICV (IC Validator), or Pegasus
• Direct foundry DRM experience — able to read, interpret, and implement complex rule decks
• Experience at advanced nodes (4nm and below)
• Ability to use AI agents to drive automation across verification flows and tapeout signoff

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

• Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction

• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits

• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution

• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA

• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits

• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays

• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance

• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs

• Tesla Babies program

• Commuter benefits

• Employee discounts and perks program

• Expected Compensation

• $128,000 - $414,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

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