Senior RTL Design Engineer - CPU Frontend

SiFive; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

SiFive is seeking a CPU design engineer in Santa Clara to architect and implement RISC-V core features and extensions, using Chisel/FIRRTL. You will help integrate design content and enhance verification/testbenches while collaborating with multiple teams to deliver optimized, high-quality cores.

The role demands 3+ years in CPU RTL design, proficiency in Verilog/SystemVerilog, and a strong software engineering background. A collaborative, detail-oriented mindset is essential for success.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in CS/CE/EE or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of design experience.
• CPU RTL design experience: fetch, decode, branch prediction, caches, TLBs.
• RTL design proficiency: Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.
• Strong software engineering background: OO/FP, templated metaprogramming, compiler infrastructure, data modeling, test-driven development.
• Attention to detail and ability to work in a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design and implement features, performance improvements, and ISA extensions in RISC-V core generators using Chisel.
• Integrate design content into Chisel/FIRRTL framework and improve tooling for docs/tests and packaged software.
• Perform initial sandbox verification with the verification team for test plans.
• Work with physical implementation to optimize design for frequency, area and power.
• Collaborate with performance modeling for exploration and optimization.
• Document knowledge and contribute to a culture of collaborative design.

Skills

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Software engineering

Functional programming

Compiler infrastructures

Test-driven development

Teamwork

Education

BS/MS in CS/CE/EE or related field

Tools

Git/Github

Jira

Confluence

Job description

About SiFive

As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits. At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.

Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time.

Are you ready?

To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.

Job Description:

Responsibilities

• Architect, design and implement new features, performance improvements, and ISA extensions in RISC-V CPU core generators using Chisel.
• Integrate new design content into SiFive’s Chisel/FIRRTL framework and contribute to improvements to that framework to enable automatic configuration/generation of documentation, verification testbenches and tests, and packaged software.
• Perform initial sandbox verification, and work with the design verification team to create and execute thorough verification test plans.
• Work with the physical implementation team to implement and optimize physical design to meet frequency, area, and power goals.
• Collaborate with the performance modeling team for performance exploration and optimization to meet performance goals.
• Microarchitecture development and specification. Ensure that knowledge is shared via great documentation and participation in a culture of collaborative design.

Requirements

• BS/MS degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of design experience.
• Academic or professional experience with CPU RTL design in one or more of the following areas: instruction fetch, instruction decode, branch prediction, coherent caches, cache prefetching, TLBs.
• Proficiency in hardware (RTL) design in Verilog, System Verilog, or VHDL.
• Strong software engineering skills/background, including:
• Object-oriented, aspect-oriented, and particularly functional programming
• Templated metaprogramming, in any language
• Compiler infrastructures, particularly for domain-specific languages
• Data modeling, particularly intermediate representations for optimizing or transforming compiler passes
• Test-driven development, particularly ability to write adaptive unit tests
• Attention to detail and a focus on high-quality design.
• Ability to work well with others and share the belief that engineering is teamwork.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Scala/Chisel, Bluespec, or some other language/DSL for expressing configurable hardware via software.
• Knowledge of RISC-V architecture.
• Expertise in CPU processor designs in one or more of the following areas is a plus: instruction fetch; instruction decode; register renaming and instruction scheduling; vector units; load-store unit.
• Knowledge of verification principles, testbenches, UVM, and coverage.
• Experience with Git/Github, Jira, Confluence.

Pay & Benefits

Consistent with SiFive values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. We have a market-based pay structure which varies by location. Please note that the base pay range is a guideline, and our compensation range reflects the cost of labor in the U.S. geographic market based on the location of the role. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant work experience.

For candidates who receive and offer, the starting salary will vary based on various factors including, but not limited to, such qualifications as, skill level, competencies, and work location. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee.

Base Pay Range $158,760.00-$194,040.00

In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/ incentive compensation and/ or equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a comprehensive, competitive benefits package which may include healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more!

Additional Information:

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in United States of America Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.

SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

As an E-Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, upon hire. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job candidates and will comply with all E-Verify regulations.

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