Principle Engineer - Architecture (m/w/d)

Microchip Technology Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc., based in Austin, TX, is seeking an experienced architect to drive the next generation of networking and connectivity solutions leveraging Ethernet, USB, and PCIe across commercial, industrial, and automotive applications. The role emphasizes architecture development, cross‑functional collaboration, and guidance from product marketing to customers.

You will shape requirements, create specifications, and ensure safety and cybersecurity concepts are embodied in new

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in silicon or system architecture, applications engineering, or systems engineering roles.
• Experience in two of: Digital IC design; Mixed-signal/analog IC design; Hardware design; Firmware/software development.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture concepts for new silicon and system products.
• Collaborate with product marketing and customers to shape requirements.
• Develop architecture specifications with silicon and software architects.
• Design functional safety and cybersecurity concepts and analyses.
• Coordinate global cross‑functional teams through the full product lifecycle.
• Define approved vendor lists for companion chipsets used in validation.

Skills

System architecture

Firmware development

Software development

PCB layout

Digital IC design

Analog IC design

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Siemens Xpedition/PADS

Job description

In this role, you will define the next generation of networking and connectivity solutions, incorporating Ethernet, USB, and PCI Express interfaces across commercial, industrial, and automotive-focused applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Define architecture concepts for new silicon and system products based on customer requirements and use cases
• Collaborate closely with product marketing and end customers to shape product requirements
• Develop architecture specifications in cooperation with silicon and software architects
• Design functional safety and cybersecurity concepts for new products and perform related analyses with subject matter experts
• Coordinate global cross‑functional teams throughout the full product development lifecycle to ensure quality, safety, and functional requirements are met
• Define approved vendor lists for companion chipsets used in product validation
• Develop reference designs and promote new companion silicon solutions in collaboration with other business units
• Establish and maintain technical partnerships with other semiconductor vendors, including joint reference designs and evaluation hardware
• Support pre‑production customer engagements and collaborative technical development activities
• Develop and deliver technical training (webinars, workshops) for customers, sales teams, and field application engineers
• Create technical documentation such as application notes, datasheets, safety manuals, and reference designs

Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent discipline
• Minimum 10+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce high‑quality engineering documentation
• Experience in silicon or system architecture, applications engineering, or systems engineering roles
• Experience in at least two of the following areas:
  • Digital IC design
  • Mixed‑signal and analog IC design
  • Hardware design (schematic capture / PCB layout)
  • Firmware/software development
• Experience working with globally distributed engineering teams

Preferred Experience

• Specification and requirements development for embedded systems
• Debugging across physical to application layers for interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, PCI Express, etc.
• Embedded programming experience (e.g., C/C++, Rust) in Linux, Zephyr, or bare‑metal environments
• Installation and debugging of drivers and software packages on Windows, Linux, or other operating systems
• Scripting and prototyping experience (e.g., Python, LabVIEW)
• Hands‑on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, function generators)
• Experience developing and delivering technical training
• Direct customer‑facing experience (support, field applications engineering, training)
• Knowledge of functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) or equivalent frameworks
• Experience with PCB CAD tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Siemens Xpedition/PADS)
• Familiarity with quality management processes, including requirements, change, and version control management

Travel Time

0% – 25%

Physical Attributes

Hearing, Seeing, Talking, Works Alone, Works Around Others

Physical Requirements

M‑F 8 hours/day, Inside: 100%, Sitting: 85%, Standing: 10%, walking: 5%

Equal Opportunity / Affectionate Employment

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.