Digital Design Engineer (MPU)

BrainChip; Laguna Hills (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BrainChip in Laguna Hills, CA seeks a Digital Design Engineer to design and implement core compute architecture for next-generation AI hardware. This role sits on the hardware team and spans RTL, microarchitecture, verification and silicon bring-up.

You will translate product requirements into scalable designs, build processor cores including RISC-V-based architectures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams across hardware and software to ship silicon powering AI workloads.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in digital design or RTL development.
• Strong understanding of modern processor and compute architectures.
• Experience with embedded MPU design, ideally RISC-V or similar.
• Proficiency in Verilog and SystemVerilog.
• Familiarity with SoC components, memory systems, and system buses such as AXI, AHB, or APB.

Responsibilities

• Translate product requirements into scalable microarchitecture designs.
• Design and implement digital modules using RTL.
• Develop and integrate processor cores including RISC-V-based architectures.
• Contribute to CPU design including pipeline, cache, and system architecture.
• Build and debug FPGA prototypes for system-level validation.
• Run simulations at RTL and gate level to verify functionality.
• Collaborate on verification strategies and test plans.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across hardware and software.

Skills

RTL design

Verilog/SystemVerilog

RISC-V

Debugging

Tools

VCS

Verdi

Job description

Digital Design Engineer (MPU / AI Hardware)

Job Title: Digital Design Engineer (MPU) | Job ID: 27774457 | Work: Hybrid | Location: Laguna Hills, CA, 92653

Design the cores behind next-generation AI hardware

At BrainChip, we’re building a new class of AI hardware. Our neuromorphic processors enable real-time, ultra-efficient intelligence directly on devices.

We’re looking for a Digital Design Engineer to help design and implement the core compute architecture behind our next-generation systems. This role sits within our hardware team and spans the full design lifecycle, from microarchitecture through RTL, verification, and silicon delivery.

If you enjoy building processors, working close to the hardware, and solving performance challenges for AI workloads, this is a strong fit.

What You’ll Do

• Translate product requirements into scalable microarchitecture designs


• Design and implement digital modules using RTL


• Develop and integrate processor cores including RISC-V-based architectures


• Contribute to CPU design including pipeline, cache, and system architecture


• Build and debug FPGA prototypes for system-level validation


• Run simulations at RTL and gate level to verify functionality


• Collaborate on verification strategies and test plans


• Work closely with cross-functional teams across hardware and software


• Document designs clearly to support development and bring-up

What You Bring

• 3+ years of experience in digital design or RTL development


• Strong understanding of modern processor and compute architectures


• Experience with embedded MPU design, ideally RISC-V or similar


• Proficiency in Verilog and SystemVerilog


• Familiarity with SoC components, memory systems, and system buses such as AXI, AHB, or APB


• Experience with simulation and debugging tools such as VCS, Verdi, or similar


• Solid debugging skills and attention to detail

Nice to have

• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, USB, or DDR


• Familiarity with standard interfaces such as SPI or I2C


• Experience with Python or scripting for automation


• Exposure to hardware-software co-design or AI workloads

Why this role

• Work on real silicon powering next-generation AI systems


• Contribute directly to processor and system architecture


• Collaborate with a high-caliber hardware and software team


• Build technology that runs in real-world devices

Details

• Hybrid in Laguna Hills, CA (3 days onsite per week)