VLSI Engineers at Google: The Current and Future Landscape

Yes, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) engineers can apply to and even find jobs at both Google and Alphabet. The company actively hires candidates who are skilled in VLSI design verification and related fields, particularly in hardware engineering, chip design, and systems architecture. Such positions can range from integrated circuit design to hardware-software integration for Google's products.

Current Opportunities for VLSI Engineers

Google's extensive reach and the variety of its projects mean that there are indeed opportunities for VLSI engineers, especially in the United States. A search through Google's careers page for job profiles like “ASIC Design Verification” and “Physical Design” reveals multiple openings.

Sometimes, the positions may not be as apparent as you might think. For instance, searching 'ASIC Design' on Google careers can lead you to roles that relate to VLSI engineering. Similarly, on LinkedIn, a search for 'ASIC Design Google' brings up several profiles of people working on ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) designs, particularly for applications such as machine learning, self-driving cars, and other advanced computing systems.

Google is also involved in designing hardware that supports its cloud infrastructure and AI needs. For example, the TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) is a well-known specialized ASIC used for deep learning tasks, and it was released publicly by Google. This is just a sign of what else Google may be working on in terms of custom hardware for specific use cases.

Challenges and Considerations

While there are opportunities, it's important to note that not all VLSI roles at Google are as directly related to chip design as one might expect. Google still largely buys from established suppliers like Qualcomm, Nvidia, and Intel. These relationships ensure that Google has the necessary hardware components for its products. However, Google's strong ties with these chip makers do not necessarily preclude the possibility of internal chip design efforts in the future.

Given the fast-paced nature of the tech industry, new ventures and divisions can emerge unexpectedly. Large companies like Google are often at the forefront of new developments in technology and hardware. Should Google decide to venture into VLSI design in a significant way, opportunities for VLSI engineers could indeed increase. For now, the current roles in hardware architecture and design verification are more likely to be internal rather than front-line chip designers.

Conclusion

In summary, while VLSI engineers can and do apply to work at Google, the roles and opportunities may vary. For those interested, especially in the US, there are current openings in VLSI design and verification that align well with Google's current and future needs. However, the field is always evolving, and it's worth keeping a keen eye on industry trends to stay ahead of potential changes.