RTL Core/Processor Microarchitecture Engineer
QualcommJob Title
RTL Core/Processor Microarchitecture Engineer
Role Summary
Join the Hexagon processor microarchitecture team to design and deliver production-quality RTL for high-performance, low-power CPU and AI/NPU cores used in mobile and edge products.
The role requires working across architecture, verification, physical design, and software teams to optimize performance, power, and area for next-generation AI and modem cores.
Experience Level
Entry-level - requires approximately 1+ years of relevant processor architecture or RTL design experience.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include end-to-end RTL and microarchitecture work and cross-functional collaboration to deliver silicon-ready designs.
- Own and drive RTL design and microarchitecture development for CPU and AI cores.
- Collaborate with architecture, verification, physical design, and software teams to produce production-quality RTL.
- Contribute to performance, power, and area (PPA) optimization, including clock gating and power domains.
- Analyze and resolve timing, area, and functional issues throughout the design cycle.
- Apply ISA knowledge to guide microarchitecture decisions for AI and signal-processing workloads.
- Work with AI software and compiler teams for hardware–software co-optimization of neural network inference.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience; separate list of desirable qualifications follows.
- 1+ years experience in processor architecture or RTL design (engineering practice on CPU or AI cores).
- Proficiency in RTL design with Verilog/SystemVerilog.
- Experience with synthesis and timing closure; able to diagnose and fix timing issues.
- Practical knowledge of PPA trade-offs and low-power techniques (clock gating, power domains).
- Ability to collaborate across architecture, verification, physical design, and software teams and communicate technical decisions.
Nice-to-have:
- Deep understanding of CPU microarchitecture: pipelines, out-of-order execution, branch prediction, load/store units, cache hierarchy, and coherence.
- Experience with AI accelerators, DSPs, or NPUs.
- Familiarity with multi-core and multi-threaded system design.
Education Requirements
Posting references a Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and also lists a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. (Degrees are specified; equivalent-experience language is not 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.
