DSP Micro-Architect RTL Engineer
QualcommJob Title
DSP Micro-Architect RTL Engineer
Role Summary
Design and implement microarchitecture and RTL for high-performance, low-power DSP/CPU cores used in mobile, IoT, automotive, and server SoCs. Work on microarchitecture features, performance optimization, and meeting area/timing targets within an ASIC/CPU engineering team.
Collaborate with architects, verification, software and system teams to deliver production-quality RTL for multithreaded processors and related subsystems.
Experience Level
Entry-level / Early-career - typically 1–3 years of relevant industry experience in CPU architecture and RTL design.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include delivering RTL and microarchitectural designs and collaborating across disciplines.
- Own microarchitecture and RTL development for DSP/CPU cores, from specification to implementation.
- Explore and implement low-power optimizations and performance trade-offs.
- Meet area, timing, and power goals through design and optimization.
- Design and refine processor features such as pipelines, out-of-order execution, and load/store units.
- Design and optimize caches, cache coherence, and memory hierarchy interactions.
- Support multi-processor and multi-threaded system integration.
- Work closely with verification, software, and systems teams to ensure correct functionality and performance.
- Communicate design decisions and trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.
Requirements
Technical skills and experience required to perform the role.
Must-have
- 1–3 years of practical experience in CPU microarchitecture and RTL design.
- Hands-on experience with processor microarchitecture concepts: pipelines, out-of-order execution, load/store units, caches, and memory hierarchy.
- Experience achieving area, timing, and power targets in RTL implementations.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Nice-to-have
- Experience with multithreaded or multi-processor systems and SoC integration.
- Familiarity with RISC-V or Hexagon-style core designs.
Education Requirements
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is listed as preferred; minimum requirement is a Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field.
About the Company
Company: Qualcomm
Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States
Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.
