Principal ASIC Design Engineer

IC Resources; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

IC Resources in the Cambridge area is helping a leading British technology firm recruit an experienced IC Design Engineer. You will own front-end development from specification through design, verification and implementation, and work closely with software and implementation teams to deliver next‑generation silicon products.

The role demands 10+ years in SoC/MCU architecture, a tape‑out ownership track record, SystemVerilog RTL, UVM/formal/FPGA verification, and scripting with Bash, Python or

Qualifications

• 10+ years in SoC or MCU architecture and design.
• Proven tape-out ownership of a complete chip or major subsystem.
• Deep understanding of microcontroller/processor architectures: RTOS, low-power, flash and SRAM.
• Experience with IP creation, integration and front-end development.
• RTL design in SystemVerilog and verification with UVM, formal methods or emulation/FPGA.
• Scripting in Bash, Python or Tcl.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of front-end development from specification through design and verification.
• Define, specify, configure, and integrate IP and system-level functionality.
• Drive verification planning across complex SoC and MCU designs.
• Collaborate closely with software teams to ensure HW/SW integration.
• Support FPGA platforms used for software development and pre-silicon validation.
• Work alongside implementation teams to resolve timing, power and physical design challenges.
• Contribute across the wider ASIC development flow to ensure successful product delivery.

Skills

SoC/MCU architecture

Architectural ownership

RTL design (SystemVerilog)

Verification with UVM/Formal

Scripting (Bash/Python/Tcl)

Timing closure

Power analysis

Tools

SystemVerilog

UVM

Emulation/FPGA

DFT

Job description

Our client is a highly successful British technology company renowned for designing innovative computing platforms used by millions of developers, educators, engineers, and hobbyists worldwide. With a strong focus on accessible and high-performance computing, the company has established itself as a global leader in embedded and edge computing technologies. As they continue to invest in the development of next-generation silicon platforms, they are expanding their in‑house ASIC capability to support an exciting product roadmap.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working autonomously with like‑minded people. They have an excellent leadership team and working culture.

The Opportunity

As part of a growing ASIC team, you will play a key role in the development of next‑generation silicon products. Working within a small, highly collaborative team, you will gain exposure across the complete silicon development lifecycle, from architecture and specification through design, verification, implementation, test, and product qualification.

This role would suit an experienced IC Design Engineer who enjoys taking ownership, working across multiple disciplines, and contributing directly to the successful delivery of innovative silicon products.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of front‑end development activities, from specification through design, verification, and implementation.
• Define, specify, configure, and integrate IP and system‑level functionality.
• Drive verification planning and execution across complex SoC and MCU designs.
• Collaborate closely with software teams to ensure seamless hardware/software integration.
• Support FPGA platforms used for software development and pre‑silicon validation.
• Work alongside implementation teams to resolve timing, power, and physical design challenges.
• Contribute across the wider ASIC development flow to ensure successful product delivery.

Requirements

• Typically 10+ years’ experience in SoC or MCU architecture and design.
• Proven experience delivering at least one successful silicon tape‑out where you held architectural ownership of a complete chip or significant subsystem.
• Deep understanding of modern microcontroller and processor architectures, including
  • Real‑time operation and deterministic interrupt handling.
  • Low‑power architectures.
  • Flash and SRAM hierarchies.
  • Common peripheral interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, ADC/DAC, timers, and programmable I/O fabrics.
• Strong knowledge of broader SoC architecture, including:
  • AXI, AHB, and APB interconnects.
  • Cache hierarchies.
  • DMA and memory controllers.
  • Security architectures.
  • Integration of operating system‑class subsystems alongside real‑time domains.
• A strong appreciation of the practical realities of chip implementation, including RTL design (SystemVerilog), verification methodologies (UVM, formal, emulation/FPGA), DFT, timing closure, power analysis, and physical design constraints.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or Tcl.

Please note that this role is based in Cambridge and requires full‑time onsite attendance.

This opportunity offers a fantastic compensation package and a number of non‑monetary benefits. This is a great opportunity to join them as they leap into their next growth phase.

For more information, please contact Rachel Mason at IC Resources.