Principal System Engineer

Job Title

Principal System Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the architectural definition, design and implementation of complex embedded systems for next-generation semiconductor products at NXP's Leuven site. Work cross-functionally with hardware, software, and verification teams to deliver integrated, high-performance systems.

Responsible for system-level specification, validation strategies, technical documentation, and contributing to intellectual property and standards activities.

Experience Level

Senior-level - requires 8+ years of system engineering experience with embedded systems and semiconductor product development.

Responsibilities

Key duties include system architecture, integration, validation, documentation, and benchmarking.

• Lead system-level architecture and design covering hardware, software, and firmware.
• Define system specifications, datasheets, application notes, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and verification teams for seamless integration and validation.
• Develop and execute system-level test plans and validation strategies.
• Create product demos and documentation to communicate design trade-offs and value propositions.
• Perform competitor benchmarking and product trade-off assessments.
• Contribute to IP generation through patent disclosures and participate in standardization activities.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; nice-to-have items noted.

• Must-have: 8+ years of experience in system engineering for embedded systems and semiconductor product development.
• Must-have: Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals and RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Must-have: Experience with wired and wireless communication system design.
• Must-have: Knowledge of interface specifications: USB, MIPI, I3C, I2C, UART, SPI, GPIO.
• Must-have: Proficiency in scripting/programming: Python, C, C++, MATLAB.
• Must-have: Good problem-solving, debugging, and communication skills; ability to work cross-functionally.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with ARM or RISC-V core architecture.
• Nice-to-have: Experience developing FPGA-based pre-silicon validation platforms for IP and subsystems.

Education Requirements

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related 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.