CPU RTL Power Engineer

Qualcomm; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in Santa Clara, CA, is seeking engineers for CPU RTL power modeling and power estimation to optimize high-performance, energy-efficient CPU designs.

You will analyze RTL power and guide power reductions across architecture, RTL, verification, and physical design teams. The role emphasizes hands-on Verilog/VHDL, PowerArtist/PTPX, scripting with Python or Perl, and a track record in low-power design.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD with relevant experience in CPU RTL power modeling and estimation.
• Proficient in low-power design, clock gating, and power/performance tradeoffs.
• Hands-on experience with Verilog or VHDL and low-power simulation tools.
• Understanding of power, timing, and battery life implications.

Responsibilities

• Estimate RTL power for CPU modules and optimize across design stages with architecture, RTL, verification, and physical teams.
• Develop CPU power models and analyze power/performance/area tradeoffs with design targets.
• Create automation scripts to accelerate power estimation and analyze HW throttling mechanisms.

Skills

CPU RTL power modeling

Verilog

VHDL

Power/low-power design

Scripting (Python/Perl)

PowerArtist

PTPX

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

PowerArtist

PTPX

Python

Perl

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary

We are hiring talented engineers for CPU RTL Power targeted for high performance, low power devices. In this role, you will be responsible for all key aspects of CPU power modeling and analysis, and RTL power estimation and optimization of high-performance energy efficient CPU designs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 3 - 8 years of CPU RTL power modeling and estimation experience.
• Deep understanding of CPU or ASIC low power design including expertise in active and Idle power optimization, RTL clock gating techniques, CPU power modeling and analysis for power/performance tradeoffs and battery life projections
• Working knowledge of Verilog and/or VHDL with hands‑on experience in low‑power simulation tools such as PowerArtist and PTPX.
• Knowledge of logic design principles along with power and timing implications.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering with at least 3 years of practical experience
• Very good understanding of low power minimization techniques
• Experience using a scripting language such as Perl or Python
• Strong problem solving, organizational and communication skills, and ability to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment

Roles And Responsibilities

• Estimate/analyze RTL power for CPU modules (using PowerArtist or equivalent tool) and optimize power at various stages of the design to meet targets working with architecture, RTL, verification and physical design teams
• Create comprehensive CPU power models, identify early power targets and achieve correlation with physical design, and analyze power/performance/area tradeoffs
• Build scripts (using Python/Perl) to automate power estimation/analysis flow and create algorithms to analyze complex HW throttling mechanisms to achieve peak CPU performance within EDP, TDP and peak current limits.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits

$148,300.00 - $222,500.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales‑incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.