MCU Architect

Job Title

MCU Architect

Role Summary

The MCU Architect defines and drives the architecture for custom microcontroller-based silicon products, from concept through tape-out. This role works with design, verification, firmware, software, safety, security, and system teams to deliver scalable, low-power, real-time MCU and embedded SoC solutions for industrial, automotive, and infrastructure applications.

Experience Level

Senior-level role. Preferred candidate has 15+ years of experience in MCU, embedded SoC, or custom silicon architecture; the position expects substantial prior architecture and cross-functional leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Owner of architecture and technical specifications for MCU-based custom silicon platforms. Key responsibilities include:

• Define and own architecture and technical specifications from concept through tape-out.
• Lead trade-off analysis across performance, power, area, cost, safety, security, and scalability.
• Specify compute subsystems, memory hierarchy, DMA, interrupt architecture, debug infrastructure, and peripheral integration.
• Define clock, reset, and power architecture including low-power modes, retention, and power domain partitioning.
• Collaborate with firmware and software teams on hardware-software partitioning, boot flows, memory/register maps, and bring-up strategy.
• Guide integration of CPU cores, on-chip memories, interconnects, security IP, analog/mixed-signal peripherals, and system interfaces.
• Support architecture validation, emulation, silicon bring-up, post-silicon debug, and derivative product planning.
• Ensure compliance with functional safety and security requirements and present architecture decisions and risk assessments to stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Deep experience in MCU, embedded SoC, or custom silicon architecture, including real-time and low-power design considerations.
• Expertise in processor subsystems, memory architecture, AMBA-style interconnects, DMA, interrupts, peripheral integration, and debug architecture.
• Strong knowledge of clock/reset/power architecture, low-power design techniques, performance modeling, and architecture validation strategies.
• Experience working across hardware, firmware, verification, and software teams to define hardware-software interfaces and system behavior.
• Thorough understanding of embedded interfaces and protocols such as AXI/AHB/APB, SPI, I2C, UART, USB, Ethernet, CAN, and memory interfaces.
• Excellent problem-solving, system-level thinking, debugging, communication, technical writing, and project leadership skills.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with ARM Cortex-M, RISC-V, or equivalent embedded processor architectures.
• Demonstrated expertise in functional safety and security architecture for embedded systems.
• Experience with analog and mixed-signal peripheral integration such as ADCs, DACs, PLLs, timers, and sensor interfaces.
• Involvement in platform strategy, derivative product planning, and third-party IP evaluation.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. Preferred: Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

About the Company

Company: GlobalFoundries

Headquarters: Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

GlobalFoundries is a leading contract manufacturer for the global semiconductor industry, with facilities in multiple countries, including the USA. The company develops a broad portfolio of semiconductor technologies and employs around 13,000 people worldwide. GlobalFoundries focuses on enhancing competitiveness in specialized application solutions and fostering innovation in mobile communications, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.