MCU Systems Architect

Ambiq; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambiq in Singapore seeks an experienced MCU Systems Architect to define low-power SoC architectures, focusing on audio, imaging/display, and high-speed interfaces. You will guide subsystems and connect to external world requirements with cross-functional teams across hardware and software.

The role involves IP assessment, power/performance modeling, and aligning architecture with Ambiq's roadmaps. You will work with global teams supporting design constraints and mass production of

Qualifications

• 10+ years in IP/MCU development or architecture for wearable/IoT/mobile
• Independent worker who can drive from concept to validation
• Strong knowledge of SoC subsystems and external interfaces (audio, imaging/display, high/low-speed links)
• Record of low-power architectures brought to market, including imaging or neural processing
• Ability to work across distributed teams and influence stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Write architecture specs, power/performance models, and interface specs
• Engage customers to align on features and positioning
• Support use case and test case development
• Collaborate with FPGA team on subsystem bring-up
• Partner with software architecture on data/control flows and APIs
• Coordinate with physical design for robust implementations
• Debug RTL/gate-level issues with the design team
• Support post-silicon analysis and mass production delivery

Skills

IP/MCU architecture

Low-power design

SoC subsystems

Hardware/software co-design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in EE/CE/CS

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

RTL simulation

Gate-level simulation

Job description

Company Overview

Ambiq is on a mission to enable intelligence everywhere — powering the AI edge revolution with the world's lowest-power semiconductor solutions.

Built on our proprietary sub- and near-threshold technology, our chips deliver multi-fold improvements in energy efficiency without costly process scaling.

Since 2010, we've shipped over 300 million units to customers building smarter wearables, medical devices, IoT products, and AI-powered edge applications.

Our cross-functional teams span design, research, development, production, marketing, sales, and operations across Austin, Hsinchu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore. We move fast, tackle hard problems, and create space for people to grow through complex, meaningful work that shapes the future of technology.

We're looking for self-motivated, creative problem-solvers who are eager to push technological limits and make a real impact in energy efficiency.

At Ambiq, we live by five values: Innovate. Collaborate. Focus. Learn. Achieve.

If that's you, join us — the intelligence everywhere revolution starts here.

As MCU Systems Architect in Ambiq's Singapore office, you'll represent the Architecture function on-site, serving as the primary architectural guide for the Singapore team. You'll drive architectural definition of Ambiq's low-power SoCs, focusing on the subsystems your team owns—audio, imaging/display, and high-speed/general-purpose interfaces—and how the SoC connects to the external world.

This cross-functional role supports Ambiq's mission of delivering the world's lowest-power electronic devices for ubiquitous edge AI. You'll work with software and hardware engineering, applications engineering, and field teams to align on product requirements, design constraints, power/performance targets, and system architecture—covering high-level specification, IP investigation and selection, power/performance modeling, and alignment with Ambiq's broader architectural direction.

Responsibilities

• Write architecture specs: flow diagrams/sequences, power/performance models, pseudocode, and system/external power-management interface specs
• Engage customers to align on key features and competitive positioning
• Support use case and test case development
• Work with the FPGA team on subsystem/interface bring-up (audio, imaging/display, high-speed links)
• Partner with software architecture on data/control flows, APIs, and hardware abstraction layers
• Partner with physical design for robust, optimal implementation
• Debug issues with the design team using RTL and gate-level simulation
• Support post-silicon analysis and delivery of SoC functionality for mass production

Expectations

• Partner with Marketing, Advanced Development, and engineering to drive new IP on Ambiq's technology/product roadmaps
• Analyze low-power technology and applications to extend Ambiq's leadership in the space
• Help define the technology roadmap, including IP assessment and integration
• Build broad, deep knowledge of Ambiq's architectural history/direction to serve as the Singapore team's primary architectural guide
• Help transition specifications into shipping products

Requirements

• 8+ years of IP/MCU development or similar architecture and design experience for wearable/IoT and mobile products
• Comfortable working independently — from high-level concept through design and validation — as well as collaboratively across hardware/software teams
• Deep knowledge of SoC subsystems and external interfaces: audio (I2S/PDM), imaging/display (MIPI CSI/DSI), and high-/low-speed links (USB, SPI, I2C)
• Proven track record bringing low-power architectures to market, ideally including embedded imaging or neural network processing
• Working knowledge of SoC architecture, fabric/interconnect, power management, and advanced process nodes preferred
• Experience with complete system dataflows and modeling to guide hardware/software development
• Strong systems-level thinking; able to own trade-offs across hardware/software boundaries and multiple subsystems
• Able to build consensus and drive alignment across geographically distributed teams
• Strong written and verbal communication with influencing skills
• BS in EE, CE, or CS required; MS/PhD preferred
• Individual contributor role; team lead experience a plus
• Candidate with the ability to work with time zone overlaps as many team members are located in the US.