Principal System Software Architect

Job Title

Principal System Software Architect

Role Summary

Join the HW/SW Co-Design team to define and validate SoC and IP architectures by building virtual platforms, writing code, and guiding hardware decisions with software-driven data.

Work closely with hardware architects and customer software teams to optimize performance, debuggability, and developer experience before silicon.

Experience Level

Senior level — typically 12+ years of experience in system software architecture, embedded systems, or SoC platform software.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include evaluating designs from a software perspective and ensuring manufacturable, debuggable, and usable systems.

• Drive hardware/software tradeoff analysis during early product definition.
• Assess IP blocks, data paths, and device configurations for software risks and opportunities.
• Propose and co-define IP blocks and hardware accelerators with hardware teams.
• Develop and use SystemC/TLM virtual platforms or transactional models for early validation.
• Champion debuggability, observability, and software visibility for bringup and field use.
• Use simulation, profiling, and modeling to justify architectural choices with data.
• Engage with internal and external customer software teams to gather requirements and translate them into architecture guidance.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and proven experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work at the hardware/software boundary and influence hardware design decisions.
• In-depth experience with AMBA protocols and bus protocols (AXI/AHB/APB), DMA, interrupts, and memory hierarchies.
• Experience with SystemC (TLM 2.0) for virtual platform development.
• Proficiency in C/C++ with experience writing firmware, drivers, or platform software.
• Experience with early-stage SoC/ASIC workflows from architecture definition through silicon bringup.
• Ability to read and interpret RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog) to evaluate hardware intent and debug integration.
• Excellent communication skills and a record of building relationships with internal and external customers.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10% of the time.

Education Requirements

BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (listed in the posting). Equivalent practical experience is not explicitly specified.

About the Company

Company: Analog Devices

Headquarters: Norwood, Massachusetts, USA

Analog Devices is a leading global semiconductor company that bridges the physical and digital worlds, enabling breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. With a focus on innovation, ADI develops solutions that drive advancements in digitized factories, mobility, and digital healthcare. The company employs around 24,000 people globally and reported revenues exceeding $9 billion in FY24, creating technologies that transform lives across various sectors.