Advancing Semiconductor Innovation Through Precision and AI Integration
Srikanth Aitha is a seasoned Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer with over 13 years of expertise in advanced SoC design and timing analysis. Based in San Diego, he bridges deep semiconductor knowledge with emerging AI-driven methodologies to push the boundaries of modern chip design
Srikanth Aitha, a Senior Staff Physical Design Engineer based in San Diego, stands at the dynamic crossroads of traditional semiconductor engineering and next-generation intelligent systems. With over 13 years of experience in physical design and static timing analysis, Srikanth has not only witnessed but directly contributed to the evolution of semiconductor technology—from 90nm all the way to TSMC’s leading-edge 2nm processes.
“My fascination with semiconductor technology began with its elegant blend of physics, math, and engineering,” Srikanth shares. “It’s incredible how these disciplines converge to power everything from smartphones to AI supercomputers.”
His academic path, anchored by a Master’s in VLSI System Design from Osmania University, recently expanded to include a postgraduate program in AI and Machine Learning from Texas A&M University. This unique blend of deep technical expertise and emerging AI insight fuels his forward-thinking approach to physical design.
At the core of Srikanth’s methodology is a structured, analytical process aimed at mastering complexity. “Modern SoCs are multi-billion transistor designs with hundreds of corners. We break down the system into manageable tiles, establish timing budgets, and enforce robust verification flows to ensure first-time-right silicon,” he explains. His leadership has been instrumental in more than 10 successful tapeouts, each requiring the orchestration of synthesis, floorplanning, clock tree synthesis, and intricate timing optimisation.
Srikanth is particularly known for his custom methodologies that enhance design efficiency and performance. “For advanced nodes, we’ve had to innovate beyond standard EDA flows—hybrid row patterns, custom routing for critical interfaces, and clock tree structures that meet aggressive performance targets,” he notes. He frequently collaborates with EDA tool vendors to push the algorithmic boundaries of timing closure, power reduction, and area optimisation.
His experience extends into high-speed interfaces like DDR and RLDRAM, advanced verification techniques, and signal integrity analysis. Proficient in tools such as Tempus, Tweaker, and PTDMSA—and armed with deep scripting expertise in TCL and Python—Srikanth builds custom automation flows that improve productivity and ensure design quality.
Team collaboration is central to his process. “We regularly sync with architects, verification, packaging, and digital design teams to harmonise system-level goals with physical design realities,” he says. Equally important is his ability to manage stakeholder expectations through transparent communication, detailed progress updates, and proactive risk management.
Looking ahead, Srikanth envisions a transformative future shaped by AI-driven design automation, chiplet-based architectures, and sustainable compute solutions. “AI isn’t just a workload anymore—it’s becoming a tool to design the silicon that will run future AI workloads,” he says. With a passion for innovation and a deep respect for engineering fundamentals, Srikanth Aitha continues to shape the cutting edge of semiconductor design.
