Lead Architect, Custom Silicon

GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 132,000 - 242,000; Full time

Job summary

GlobalFoundries is seeking a Custom Silicon Lead Architect to define and drive the architecture of next-generation ASICs and SoCs. You will collaborate across design, verification, hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver high-performance, reliable products from concept through tape-out.

You will own architecture specifications, lead trade studies, and guide IP integration, memory and high-speed interfaces, ensuring performance, power, area, and scalability align with market needs.

Qualifications

• Deep experience architecting custom silicon, ASIC, or SoC designs.
• Strong knowledge of hardware system partitioning, IP integration, interconnect protocols, memory hierarchies and clock/power domain management.
• Fluent with top-down architecture flows, performance modeling and verification strategies.
• Experience with multi-discipline integration including analog, RF, and software/firmware interfaces.
• Familiarity with modern interface standards (AXI, PCIe, DDR/LpDDR, MIPI, USB, etc.).
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging and system-level thinking.
• Strong communication, technical writing and project leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the architecture and technical specifications for custom silicon from concept through tape-out.
• Lead requirement gathering, trade-offs, partitioning and high-level design for performance, power, area, scalability and cost.
• Guide design and integration of major IP blocks, subsystems, memory and high-speed interfaces.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align architectural vision with market and product needs.
• Oversee architectural execution to ensure alignment with specifications and intent.
• Evaluate third-party IP and develop strategies for validation, bring-up and post-silicon debug.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to cross-functional engineering teams.
• Present technical concepts and progress to internal teams, management and external partners.

Skills

Custom silicon architecture

IP integration

Interconnect protocols

Memory hierarchy

Clock/power domain management

EDA tools

Performance modeling

Verification strategies

Multi-discipline integration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

EDA tools

Job description

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

Introduction

The Custom Silicon Lead Architect is responsible for defining and driving the architecture of next-generation custom silicon solutions, including complex ASICs and SoCs. This role requires cross-disciplinary collaboration with design, verification, hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver high-performance, innovative, and reliable custom silicon products.

Your Job

• Define and own the architecture and technical specifications for custom silicon products from concept through tape-out.


• Lead requirement gathering, trade-off analysis, partitioning, and high-level design, optimizing for performance, power, area, scalability, and cost.


• Guide the design and integration of major IP blocks, processing subsystems, memory and I/O, high-speed interfaces, and custom accelerators.


• Collaborate with stakeholders (systems, product management, software, and firmware) to align architectural vision and feature sets with market and product needs.


• Oversee architectural execution to ensure design aligns with specifications and architectural intent.


• Investigate, evaluate, and integrate third-party IP and develop strategies for architecture validation, bring-up, and post-silicon debug.


• Mentor and provide technical leadership to cross-functional engineering teams.


• Present technical concepts and progress to internal teams, management, and external partners.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure security, safety, and system-level design compliance in architecture, adhering to relevant standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).

Required Qualifications

• Deep experience architecting custom silicon, ASIC, or SoC designs (digital/mixed-signal).


• Expertise in hardware system partitioning, IP integration, interconnect protocols, memory hierarchies, and clock/power domain management.


• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.


• Strong knowledge of top-down architecture flows, performance modeling, EDA tools, and verification strategies.


• Familiarity with multi-discipline integration, including analog, RF, and software/firmware/hardware interfaces.


• Thorough understanding of modern interface standards (AXI, PCIe, DDR/LpDDR, MIPI, USB, etc.).


• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and system-level thinking skills.


• Strong communication, technical writing, and project leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in custom silicon, ASIC, or SoC development with a track record of leading Architecture.


• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.


• Demonstrated project leadership in multi-site or cross-disciplinary environments.


• Experience in domains such as Physical AI, automotive, networking, storage, security, or advanced compute.


• Involvement in strategic planning, IP/vendor evaluations, and cross-functional technical reviews.


• History of patents, publications, or industry engagement is a plus.

Expected Salary Range $131,900.00 - $241,500.00 The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.

An offer with GlobalFoundries is conditioned upon the successful completion of pre-employment conditions, as applicable, and subject to applicable laws and regulations.

GlobalFoundries is fully committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and believes that cultural diversity within the company enhances its business potential. GlobalFoundries goal of excellence in business necessitates the attraction and retention of highly qualified people. Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally discriminatory. All policies and processes which pertain to employees including recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, compensation, benefits, extracurricular programs, and termination are created and implemented without regard to age, ethnicity, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic or category specified by local, state or federal law

We shape what's essential At GlobalFoundries you will find a vibrant work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. Our diverse and global team shares a culture of respect and inclusivity, representing the best in the industry. We celebrate success together and are united by our dedication to excellence and our desire to improve and empower the world.