Senior Staff Engineer, SOC Architect and Hardware Engineering
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.About the role
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To provide the best candidate experience amidst our high application volumes, each candidate is limited to 10 applications across all open jobs within a 6-month period.
Advancing the World’s Technology Together
Our technology solutions power the tools you use every day--including smartphones, electric vehicles, hyperscale data centers, IoT devices, and so much more. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a global leader whose innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and powering the future.
We believe innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We’re dedicated to empowering people to be their true selves. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow for our employees, customers, partners, and communities.
What You’ll Do
The SoC Architect will serve as a key technical leader, translating client requirements into an optimal SoC blueprint that achieves aggressive PPA (Power, Performance, Area) targets and driving its successful implementation. This role will be a critical leader who provides the technical blueprint that ultimately realizes our clients' business objectives and should have a deep understanding of the complexities of custom SoC development and the ability to leverage broad system knowledge to create innovative solutions.
Location: Daily onsite presence at our San Jose headquarters in alignment with our Flexible Work Policy with an average of 20% travel per month.
Reports to: Team leader/Head of Custom SoC Solutions Team
Job ID: 42824
Customer Requirement Definition and Architecture Design:
- Analyze and define the functional, performance, and power requirements based on the client's end product and application (e.g., mobile, edge device, data center or physical AI).
- Conceive and specify the Top-Level SoC Architecture and Microarchitecture, including CPU/GPU/NPU cores, memory subsystem, Interconnect (Coherent/Non-Coherent Fabric), and high-speed I/O interfaces (e.g., PCIe, CXL).
Architecture Exploration and Validation:
- Evaluate various architectural trade-offs and validate architectural decisions using performance and power modeling (C/C++, SystemC).
- Provide technical guidance on IP selection, integration, and system optimization, and define the Design for Debug/Test/Excellence (DFx) strategy.
Technical Collaboration and Leadership:
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (HW Design, Verification, Physical Design, Software) to ensure architectural specifications are accurately translated into the design and implementation phases.
- Identify and resolve technical risks throughout the project lifecycle, and lead technical communication with clients and
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline and 10+ years of experience, or Master’s and 8+ years of experience.
- 5+ years experience in SoC Architecture or System Engineering (experience in custom ASIC/SoC projects is a plus)
- Deep understanding of Computer Architecture and SoC Design (including CPU, GPU, Accelerators, Caches, and Memory Systems).
- Expert knowledge and design experience with on-chip interconnects (e.g., AMBA AXI/CHI) and High-Speed Interface protocols.
- In-depth knowledge of Power Management and low-power design techniques.
- Experience with SoC-level Clock, Reset, and Power Domain architecture.
- Comprehensive understanding of the overall RTL design and SoC design flow (Implementation & Verification).
- Excellent problem-solving skills to independently identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical issues.
- Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including hardware and software engineering teams, managements, and clients.
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python/Perl
- You’re inclusive, adapting your style to the situation and diverse global norms of our people.
- An avid learner, you approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, seeking data to help build understanding.
- You’re collaborative, building relationships, humbly offering support and openly welcoming approaches.
- Innovative and creative, you proactively explore new ideas and adapt quickly to change.
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What We Offer
The pay range below is for all roles at this level across all US locations and functions. Individual pay rates depend on a number of factors—including the role’s function and location, as well as the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, education, and training. We also offer incentive opportunitie
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