Principal Engineer SoC DesignIntroduction:The Principal SoC Design Engineer provides deep technical expertise in developing high-performance data processing units and automotive microcontrollers with 8-10+ years of experience. This individual contributor role drives end-to-end SoC design-from architecture definition and micro-architecture specification to RTL implementation, optimization, and silicon-proven delivery-while advancing design methodologies for complex, safety-critical systems.
Your Job:
- Lead gathering, analysis, and translation of complex subsystem, module, and SoC-level requirements into actionable micro-architecture specifications that meet stringent performance, power, and area targets.
- Architect and develop synthesizable RTL (SystemVerilog/Verilog) for high-performance IP modules, subsystems, and full SoC integrations, including custom data processing units and automotive MCU cores.
- Drive front-end design flow improvements, including automation of spec-to-RTL generation, IP reuse strategies, and advanced synthesis methodologies to boost team productivity and design quality.
- Perform detailed RTL design reviews, optimization for timing/power/area, and constraint development to ensure first-pass silicon success across advanced nodes.
- Champion design innovation by evaluating and integrating emerging standards, bus fabrics (AXI5/CHI, AMBA), and processor architectures (RISC-V, ARM Cortex) into production flows.
- Collaborate deeply with architecture, verification, physical design, DFT, and software teams to resolve multi-disciplinary issues, define interfaces, and align on system-level tradeoffs.
- Provide technical guidance through code reviews and knowledge sharing on best practices for maintainable, verifiable RTL.
- Analyze silicon bring-up results, debug field issues, and implement lessons learned to refine design methodologies and IP libraries.
Other Responsibilities: - Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Architecture, Verification, Physical Design, etc.) to identify and resolve design issues.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
- 8-10+ years of hands-on experience in SoC/IP design for high-volume or safety-critical applications, including architecture-to-silicon delivery.
- Expert-level proficiency in synthesizable SystemVerilog/Verilog, with deep knowledge of advanced digital design techniques (pipelining, FSM optimization, low-power design).
- Strong command of SoC interconnects and protocols including AXI4/5, AHB, APB, CHI, and NoC fabrics.
- Proven track record of leading RTL development for complex blocks (processors, accelerators, peripherals) on advanced nodes (7nm and below).
- Proficiency in scripting (Python, Tcl, Perl) for RTL generation, automation, and design space exploration.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills for resolving ambiguous, cross-domain challenges.
- Outstanding technical communication skills for presenting designs to stakeholders and documenting specifications.
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with RISC-V, ARM Cortex-A/R/M-series, or MIPS architectures in automotive or embedded applications.
- Deep expertise in Functional Safety (ISO 26262 ASIL-D), including safety mechanisms, fault injection, and certification flows.
- Familiarity with register description languages (IP-XACT, SystemRDL) and UVM-based verification methodologies.
- Hands-on experience with high-performance data processing units (e.g., DSPs, AI accelerators, vision pipelines).
- Proven technical leadership in driving design methodology evolution and tool adoption (Synopsys DC, Genus, Verdi).
Expected Salary Range$153,000.00 - $265,000.00
The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at
[email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
An offer with GlobalFoundries is conditioned upon the successful completion of pre-employment conditions, as applicable, and subject to applicable laws and regulations.
