NPU AI/Processor Architecture (RTL) Design - Sr Lead

Job Title

NPU AI/Processor Architecture (RTL) Design - Sr Lead

Role Summary

Senior hardware engineer responsible for RTL/architecture design and delivery of NPU/AI processor features. The role focuses on planning, optimizing, verifying, and testing processor RTL and integrating functionality to meet power, performance, and area targets.

The position collaborates with design, verification, validation, software, and manufacturing teams and provides technical leadership to improve yield, testability, and product quality.

Experience Level

Senior level. Qualcomm prefers candidates with multiple years of hardware engineering experience (preferred 5+ years overall); the posting lists varying minimum experience depending on degree (see Education Requirements).

Responsibilities

Primary duties include architecture and RTL work, verification support, and cross-functional delivery of NPU/AI processor features.

• Plan, design, optimize, verify, and test RTL and processor architecture for NPU/AI features.
• Perform complex simulations and analyses to meet power, performance, and area targets.
• Integrate features into hardware designs driven by proposals and roadmaps.
• Collaborate with verification, validation, software, systems engineering, and architecture teams to implement requirements.
• Evaluate and characterize designs to identify flaws, compatibility, and compliance issues.
• Support product bring-up, manufacturing solutions, and yield improvement activities.
• Document technical designs and test results; produce detailed technical documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other team members; may supervise or coordinate small teams.

Requirements

Technical skills and experience required. Degree details and equivalent-experience rules are listed under Education Requirements.

• Must-have: Several years of hands-on hardware engineering experience focused on digital/RTL design for processors or AI accelerators.
• Must-have: RTL architecture and microarchitecture experience for NPU/AI or processor blocks; ability to make PPA tradeoffs.
• Must-have: Experience performing simulations and analyses to optimize power, performance, and area.
• Must-have: Familiarity with verification and validation workflows and collaboration with software and systems teams.
• Must-have: Strong documentation and communication skills; ability to lead technical discussions and influence cross-functional teams.
• Preferred / Nice-to-have: Experience with circuit-level tasks such as schematic capture, circuit simulation, and use of lab instruments (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF tools).
• Preferred / Nice-to-have: Prior technical leadership experience (e.g., leading features or small teams).

Education Requirements

Qualifications in the posting: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of hardware engineering experience; OR Master’s degree in those fields with 2+ years of experience; OR PhD in those fields with 1+ year of experience. Preferred: Master’s degree in relevant field. Equivalent practical experience is accepted per the degree-based options above.

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.