AI Methodology Design/CAD Engineer

Role Number: 200686182Team: HardwareLocation: Austin; CupertinoPosted: 2026-09-30SummaryDo you love creating elegant solutions to highly complex challenges? Do you intrinsically see the importance in every detail? As part of our Silicon Technologies group, you'll help design and manufacture our next-generation, high-performance, power-efficient processor, system-on-chip (SoC). You'll ensure Apple products and services can seamlessly and efficiently handle the tasks that make them beloved by millions. Joining this group means you'll be responsible for crafting and building the technology that fuels Apple's devices. Together, you and your team will enable our customers to do all the things they love with their devices.As part of the Hardware Technology CAD team, you'll help bring AI methodology to chip design. You will work end to end with design teams and CAD flow owners on complex design and CAD challenges, in areas such as custom and analog design, RTL and front end, design verification, physical design, timing, extraction and signoff. You will build and evaluate AI solutions for these challenges, with a focus on the quality of their results. We are looking for a VLSI design or CAD engineer who is passionate about applying AI to chip design.DescriptionIn this highly visible role, your primary responsibilities will include:Partnering with design teams and CAD flow owners across multiple projects to understand complex design challenges and where AI can helpContributing to evaluation data and quality metrics, and running evaluations across models to find where an agent failsTuning AI agents, including their prompts, tools, agent skills and choice of modelDeveloping CAD tools and flows that let AI agents work with design data and EDA toolsEvaluating AI tools from EDA vendors alongside in-house solutionsEnabling the organization to leverage AI capabilities and drive efficiency in chip deliveryMinimum QualificationsMinimum requirement of BS and 10+ years of relevant industry experienceExperience using AI tools, such as AI coding assistants, in engineering workExperience in VLSI design, CAD tools or CAD flowsExperience in Python programmingPreferred QualificationsExperience building LLM applications or tool-using AI agents, including Model Context Protocol (MCP) serversExperience evaluating or tuning AI systems, such as agent performance or output qualityExperience applying machine learning to design data, such as predicting timing or powerUnderstanding of the chip design flow, from spec to tapeoutHands-on knowledge of industry-standard EDA tools for simulation, synthesis, place and route, extraction, timing or physical verificationExperience developing CAD tools, CAD flows or design methodologyExperience writing testbenches, regression tests or signoff checksPay & BenefitsAt Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple BenefitsNote: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.EEO StatementApple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicantEEO StatementApple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicantAccessibilityAt Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplaceLearn about reasonable accommodations for job applicantsAccessibilityAt Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplaceLearn about reasonable accommodations for job applicantsApplication DeadlineApple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.Application DeadlineApple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.