Lead SoC Architect

About the Opportunity A semiconductor startup developing next-generation graphics processors is seeking an experienced Lead SoC Architect to own architecture definition and technical direction for advanced compute platforms. This is a hands-on technical leadership role combining individual contribution with cross-functional engineering leadership. Candidates must be local to the Bay Area and able to work on-site in Sunnyvale.

Responsibilities

• Define top-level SoC architecture, subsystem partitioning, interface specifications, and microarchitecture requirements.
• Evaluate tradeoffs across performance, power, area, bandwidth, latency, and scalability.
• Lead performance modeling, workload analysis, and bottleneck identification using C/C++/SystemC or similar tools.
• Define memory hierarchy, NoC/interconnect strategy, cache structures, and coherency architecture.
• Evaluate and integrate third-party IP, including compute, memory, connectivity, multimedia, and security subsystems.
• Collaborate with RTL, verification, physical design, firmware, software, and systems teams throughout development.
• Partner with verification teams on architectural test plans and validation strategies.
• Support silicon bring-up, debugging, performance tuning, and post-silicon optimization.
• Contribute to long-term technology and product roadmaps.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in SoC architecture, ASIC development, or complex semiconductor system design.
• Strong understanding of modern SoC architectures and subsystem integration.
• Expertise in one or more of the following:
• CPU, GPU, or NPU architectures
• NoC/interconnect architectures
• Cache coherency protocols, including CHI, ACE, or CXL
• High-speed interfaces such as PCIe, UCIe, or Ethernet
• Memory systems such as DDR5, LPDDR5X, or HBM
• Power and performance optimization
• Strong knowledge of RTL development and verification methodologies.
• Experience with architecture modeling and performance analysis tools.
• Understanding of firmware/software interaction in complex SoC systems.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI accelerators, GPUs, networking, RISC-V, or datacenter SoCs.
• Experience with chiplet-based or multi-die architectures.
• Familiarity with advanced process technologies and package integration.
• Experience with emulation, FPGA prototyping, and system-level validation.
• Knowledge of Linux drivers, runtime software, or system software architecture.
• Prior technical leadership across cross-functional engineering teams.