Senior CPU Design Engineer

NVIDIA; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 311,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

NVIDIA Corporation seeks a Senior CPU Design Engineer to lead micro-architecture, RTL implementation, and high-speed CPU design efforts in a dynamic, technology-forward environment in Santa Clara, CA. The role collaborates with verification, physical design, and architecture teams to deliver scalable, power-efficient cores.

You will drive sub-system definitions, coordinate RTL delivery, and optimize for performance, timing, and power while contributing to floor planning, timing closure, and

Qualifications

• BS or MS in electrical engineering or computer engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of proven experience in micro-architecture and RTL development of complex, high speed designs, ideally in CPU subsystems.
• Exposure to Computer Architecture and Digital Systems design.
• Highly proficient in logic design, Verilog and/or SystemVerilog, with a deep understanding of physical design and VLSI.
• Strengths in scripting languages such as Perl, Python.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive the micro-architecture definition, feasibility studies and documentation of CPU sub-systems.
• Implement in RTL and coordinate execution with the verification team to ensure that the design is functional.
• Exercise logic design skills to optimize and meet performance, timing and power targets.
• Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a routable and physically implementable design.
• Support hardware engineering activities including chip floor plan, power/clock distribution, chip assembly, timing closure, power and noise analysis, and back-end verification.
• Develop flows and tools as necessary in support of design activities.

Skills

RTL design

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Python/Perl scripting

Communication skills

CPU micro-architecture

Education

BS/MS in EE or CE

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Job description

We are looking for a Senior CPU Design Engineer!NVIDIA is seeking best-in-class CPU Design Engineers to design the world’s leading CPUs. This position offers you the opportunity to have a real impact in a dynamic, technology-focused company, designing for product lines ranging from consumer graphics to self-driving cars and the growing field of artificial intelligence. NVIDIA is a “learning machine” that constantly evolves by adapting to new opportunities that are hard to pursue, that only we can take on, and that matter to the world. We have crafted a team of excellent people stretching around the globe, whose mission is to push the frontiers of what is possible today and define the platform for the future of computing.

The NVIDIA CPU team is looking for inquisitive, motivated engineers with design experience to build ground-breaking CPUs. As a senior member of our design team, you will be responsible for the micro-architecture, design and implementation of high-performance, low power CPUs. You will work closely with fellow design engineers, architects, verification engineers, and physical design engineers to accomplish your tasks.

What you will be doing:

• Drive the micro-architecture definition, feasibility studies and documentation of CPU sub-systems.
• Implement in RTL and coordinate execution with the verification team to ensure that the design is functional.
• Exercise logic design skills to optimize and meet performance, timing and power targets.
• Deliver a synthesis/timing clean design while working with the physical design team ensuring a routable and physically implementable design.
• Support hardware engineering activities including chip floor plan, power/clock distribution, chip assembly, timing closure, power and noise analysis, and back-end verification.
• Develop flows and tools as necessary in support of design activities.

What we need to see:

• BS or MS in electrical engineering or computer engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of proven experience in micro-architecture and RTL development of complex, high speed designs, ideally in CPU subsystems.
• Exposure to Computer Architecture and Digital Systems design.
• Highly proficient in logic design, Verilog and/or SystemVerilog, with a deep understanding of physical design and VLSI.
• Strengths in scripting languages such as Perl, Python.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

With competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We employ some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world.

#LI-Hybrid

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary ranges for this position are:
168,000 USD – 264,500 USD for Level 4; and 196,000 USD – 310,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 3, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.