Principal Digital Design Engineer - MCU

Job Title

Principal Digital Design Engineer - MCU

Role Summary

Lead digital design for MCU System-on-Chip (SoC) development in NXP's Catania R&D team, owning the digital design flow from specification through post-silicon validation. Collaborate with analog, mixed-signal, software, DfT and physical design teams to deliver high-performance, low-power MCU products.

Estimated gross annual base salary range in Italy: 2261,000 22- 2283,900.

Experience Level

Senior - requires a minimum of 10+ years of digital IC/SoC design experience.

Responsibilities

Accountable for technical leadership and delivery across the digital design flow. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead full digital IC design flow for complex SoCs: specification, architecture, RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog), synthesis, STA, formal verification, and power analysis.
• Collaborate with analog, mixed-signal, and software teams to define interfaces and ensure seamless integration.
• Develop digital architectures and methodologies to meet performance, power, and area targets.
• Perform comprehensive verification using simulation, formal techniques, and hardware emulation.
• Participate in post-silicon validation and debug, resolving issues to ensure product quality.
• Mentor junior engineers, lead technical discussions, and contribute to process improvements.
• Produce design documentation, specifications, test plans, and design reviews.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience:

• Minimum 10+ years of digital IC/SoC design with a strong track record of delivered projects.
• Expertise in RTL design and verification using Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Experience with synthesis and STA tools (for example, Synopsys Design Compiler, Cadence Genus, PrimeTime) and formal tools (for example, Synopsys Formality).
• Experience with simulation and emulation tools (for example, VCS, QuestaSim) and hardware emulation.
• Strong understanding of clock domain crossing (CDC), power integrity, low-power design techniques, and timing closure.
• Scripting and automation skills (Python, Perl, Tcl).
• Familiarity with mixed-signal integration challenges and DfT implementation and verification.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, debugging, communication, and leadership skills; ability to work independently and lead technical teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with MCU architectures or embedded systems.
• Hands-on post-silicon bring-up and silicon debug experience.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field.

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.