Director, AI/ML-Driven ASIC Design and Implementation Automation

Job Title

Director, AI/ML-Driven ASIC Design and Implementation Automation

Role Summary

Lead development and evaluation of AI/ML-driven methodologies, flows, and tools to improve ASIC/SoC design efficiency and quality (power, performance, area, and overall result quality) across NXP. Prototype solutions, pilot them on real designs, and coordinate with academic and industry partners.

Work within the AI & Chip Engineering (ACE) Design Methodologies and Automation team to enable digital transformation for Automotive processors and advanced microcontrollers.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 7+ years of relevant experience applying AI/ML to real-world optimization problems and substantial software/CAD development experience.

Responsibilities

Drive research, prototyping, and cross-functional integration of AI/ML techniques into VLSI CAD and ASIC implementation flows.

• Explore and evaluate AI/ML methods (GenAI, Reinforcement Learning, Graph Neural Networks, Convolutional Networks) for VLSI/CAD problems.
• Develop and deliver prototype solutions to assess candidate techniques on NXP designs and implementation flows.
• Pilot automation on actual SoC and IP designs to validate improvements in power, performance, area, and quality.
• Collaborate with academic researchers, AI/ML experts, architecture teams, IP/SoC designers, verification, and implementation teams across multiple sites.
• Prescribe methods and tool requirements for integration into VLSI CAD software and automation flows.
• Coordinate and drive cross-team initiatives for digital transformation and adoption of AI/ML techniques.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience.

• Hands-on expertise in Python and C++ for prototype and tooling development.
• 7+ years applying AI/ML techniques (LLMs, CNN, RNN, GraphNN) to optimization or engineering problems.
• Strong background in data structures, algorithms, and software development for optimization tasks.
• Experience with Unix/Linux, revision control systems (Git, BitBucket), build and debug tools.
• Proven analytical problem-solving skills and strong verbal and written communication.

Nice to have:

• Understanding of physical design, layout, constraints (SDC, clocks, CDC, RDC), static timing analysis, low-power and UPF flows.
• Prior experience in VLSI CAD methodology and tool development.
• Familiarity with HDL (SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL), front-end design, and physical implementation flows.
• Experience with EDA tools for design, verification, DFT, and implementation; design revision control (DesignSync) and Make.
• Experience with CI/CD and infrastructure tooling (Splunk, Jenkins, LSF).

Education Requirements

BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline; emphasis on strong software development background.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.