RISCV CPU System RTL Engineer

Job Title

RISCV CPU System RTL Engineer

Role Summary

Design and implement RISC-V CPU system features in RTL for high-performance, low-power devices. Work with CPU architecture, modeling, verification, software/firmware, and physical-design teams to deliver CPU system functionality.

Experience Level

Entry-level — typically 1–3 years of relevant CPU RTL or related hardware engineering experience.

Responsibilities

The role owns microarchitecture and RTL implementation of CPU system features and collaborates across teams to meet power, performance, area, and timing goals.

• Explore performance and power optimization opportunities with the CPU modeling team.
• Develop high-level architecture and microarchitecture specifications that map to RTL.
• Implement and refine RTL to meet power, performance, area, and timing targets.
• Support functional verification and assist the verification team in executing strategies.
• Collaborate with physical-design teams on timing, area, reliability, testability, and power validation.
• Coordinate with software, firmware, and platform teams to enable CPU system features in products.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience for delivering CPU system RTL features.

• Deep knowledge of microprocessor architecture and CPU system features (timer synchronization, interrupt controllers, configuration access protocols, RAS/safety mechanisms).
• Expertise in power management for high-performance systems, including active and idle low-power strategies and clock/limit architectures.
• Experience defining and developing debug/trace features, scan-dump, and memory-dump mechanisms.
• Proficiency in Verilog and/or VHDL and experience with simulators and waveform debugging tools.
• Solid understanding of logic design principles, timing, and power implications.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to collaborate across architecture, software, firmware, verification, and physical-design teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Familiarity with RISC-V ISA and CPU architecture.
• Understanding of low-power microarchitecture techniques and high-performance CPU design trade-offs.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl.

Education Requirements

Acceptable backgrounds include Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. The posting specifies combinations of degree and experience: Master's with 1+ year or Bachelor's with 2+ years are acceptable; a PhD is also listed as an option. Equivalent practical experience is considered where stated.

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.