SoC Hardware Architect

Job Title

SoC Hardware Architect

Role Summary

Design system-level SoC platform architectures across NXP's MCU/MPU products, defining hardware/software partitioning, key performance indicators, and alignment with industry and safety standards. Collaborate with cross-functional architecture, design, and execution teams to deliver scalable solutions that meet product performance, power, and cost targets.

Specify internal and 3rd-party IP, perform make-vs-buy analyses, and support productization through the full development cycle.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The role targets very experienced candidates (see Education Requirements for specific years-of-experience guidance).

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop holistic system-level SoC platform architectures for specific product classes and scalable technology solutions.
• Produce architecture specifications that include use-case definitions, hardware/software partitioning, standards alignment, and KPIs.
• Collaborate with design and execution teams throughout the product development lifecycle to ensure architectures are implemented in commercial products.
• Define specifications for internal and 3rd-party IP and lead make-vs-buy analyses and IP selection.
• Specify interconnect, memory, power management, boot, debug, virtualization, and security aspects of the SoC as required.
• Assess performance, power, and area tradeoffs and recommend optimal solutions for target product tiers.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Proven experience architecting complex SoCs on leading-edge process nodes.
• Deep knowledge of ARM architecture specifications.
• Expertise in one or more areas: coherent/non-coherent interconnects, DDR memory systems, system memory QoS, power and operating state management, PCIe, USB, networking, debug/boot, virtualization, ML compute, or multimedia/pixel processing.
• System-level design skills with the ability to partition functionality between hardware and software and work closely with software architects.
• Experience defining IP components and performing make-vs-buy tradeoffs.
• Familiarity with ISO26262-compliant and mixed-criticality architectures and automotive/industrial safety and security considerations.

Education Requirements

BS in Electrical Engineering or a similar discipline with at least 15 years of relevant experience. Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with 10 or more years of experience preferred.

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.