Senior FPGA/Silicon Design Engineer
MicrosoftJob Title
Senior FPGA/Silicon Design Engineer
Role Summary
Work on custom IP and FPGA-based prototyping and validation for Microsoft's cloud silicon (Azure Cobalt) as part of the Shared and Custom IP & Silicon (SCIPS) team within Compute Silicon & Manufacturing Engineering (CSME).
The role leads FPGA design environment efforts, implements custom IP from microarchitecture through post-silicon validation, and collaborates across architecture, SoC, firmware, verification, and physical design teams to deliver production-quality solutions.
Experience Level
Senior-level. The role expects substantial hands-on experience in FPGA and RTL design; see Education Requirements for the formal degree/experience combinations used by the employer.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include leading FPGA/IP development and driving design quality, performance, and manufacturability.
- Own and lead FPGA design environment for rapid IP prototyping, validation, and root-cause analysis of complex system issues.
- Design custom IP RTL from microarchitecture through RTL implementation, verification, and post-silicon validation.
- Collaborate with architecture, SoC, firmware, verification, and physical design teams to deliver FPGA and IP solutions.
- Develop high-performance, power-efficient RTL and drive PPA optimizations across the design lifecycle.
- Lead design signoff activities including CDC, RDC, lint, and timing closure.
- Mentor engineers and improve design methodology, automation, and review processes.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and compliance requirements. Degrees and formal experience combinations are listed under Education Requirements below.
- Proven FPGA and RTL design experience, including debugging, troubleshooting, and post-silicon validation.
- Strong expertise in Verilog/SystemVerilog and digital design/microarchitecture specification.
- Experience with synthesis and static-check tools (RTL synthesis, lint, CDC, RDC, LEC) and timing closure flows.
- Ability to write and maintain automation scripts, preferably in Python.
- Experience developing and optimizing high-speed CMOS designs with PPA tradeoff analysis.
- Ability to meet Microsoft security screening requirements (Microsoft Cloud Background Check) and eligibility to access export-controlled information as required.
- Excellent debugging, cross-functional collaboration, and written/verbal communication skills.
Nice-to-have:
- Experience with Xilinx FPGA boards and tooling.
- Experience with ChipWhisperer or FPGA power-analysis tools and setting up test automation infrastructure.
Education Requirements
Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field plus 1+ year technical engineering experience; OR Master's degree in those fields plus 4+ years technical engineering experience; OR Bachelor's degree in those fields plus 5+ years technical engineering experience; OR equivalent practical experience. Fields cited include Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical fields.
About the Company
Company: Microsoft
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
Microsoft is a global technology company that develops and sells software, services, devices, and solutions. Known for its Windows operating system, Office suite, and Azure cloud platform, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations around the world to achieve more. The company fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, focusing on delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.
