VLSI Design & System Architect/Engineer
QualcommJob Title
VLSI Design & System Architect/Engineer
Role Summary
Design and architect complex SoC solutions focusing on system-level tradeoffs across hardware and software. Work with architecture, design, verification, software, and product teams to take processor and subsystem concepts through implementation and product delivery.
Experience Level
Level - Senior. Typical experience: 6+ years with a Bachelor's, 5+ years with a Master's, or 4+ years with a PhD in a relevant engineering discipline (see Education Requirements).
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include system architecture, cross-team coordination, and driving implementation-quality decisions for SoC subsystems.
- Define and evaluate SoC and compute architectures (heterogeneous systems, multi-core, embedded and application processors).
- Specify processor subsystems, memory hierarchy, cache coherence, interconnects, and security/virtualization requirements.
- Perform architecture trade-offs for performance, power, area, and scalability; drive data-driven design decisions.
- Coordinate hardware/software co-design, system modeling, and performance/power analysis and simulation.
- Collaborate with design, verification, software, and product teams across locations to deliver tape-out ready designs.
- Mentor peers, influence technical direction, and foster productive cross-functional engineering relationships.
- Contribute to specification, integration, and verification strategies for complex SoCs.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items are listed separately.
- Strong background in SoC and compute architecture, including heterogeneous computing systems.
- Deep understanding of processor subsystem architecture, memory hierarchy, cache coherence, interconnects, and performance optimization.
- Experience in hardware/system architecture and hardware–software co-design methodologies.
- Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and influence technical direction through analysis.
- Practical experience with VLSI development flow, digital design, and RTL/HDL languages is expected.
- Preferred: experience in DDR, system cache, coherency, QoS, modem, DSPs, CPUs (ARM preferred), PCIe/CXL, and RISC‑V.
- Preferred: scripting and implementation languages such as C/C++, Python, SystemVerilog, VHDL, or SystemC.
- Preferred: power/performance analysis, simulation, modeling, and SoC integration experience.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree required; preferred: Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent practical work experience is acceptable as described in the minimum qualifications (e.g., 6+ years with a Bachelor's, 5+ with a Master's, 4+ with a PhD).
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.
