Senior Staff Engineer, GPU RTL Firmware

Samsung Semiconductor; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Samsung is seeking a Senior Staff GPU RTL Firmware Engineer to help design and develop the control firmware for next‑generation mobile GPUs. You will shape the Command Processor and RunList Controller orchestration, collaborating with architecture, RTL, software, and validation teams to ensure scalable, production‑ready GPU IP across multiple generations and market segments.

You will mentor engineers, drive firmware architecture and bring‑up, and influence hardware–firmware interfaces while

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in firmware for GPU/SoC architectures.
• 8+ years in firmware development with C/C++/Assembly.
• Strong understanding of GPU pipelines and hardware–software interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop firmware for GPU control, including CP and RLC.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, software, and validation teams.
• Analyze and optimize GPU execution, scheduling, and context management.
• Influence CP and RLC evolution through RISC‑V based firmware development.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive a culture of ownership and innovation.
• Contribute to scalable, production‑ready GPU IP across generations.

Skills

GPU firmware

C/C++

Assembly

RTL design

Verilog/SystemVerilog

RISC-V

Debugging

Performance optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering

Master’s degree

Ph.D.

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog toolchain

GPU debug tools

RISC-V toolchain

Job description

Position Summary

Samsung, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, is founded on a simple philosophy – the endless pursuit of excellence will create a better world for all. At Samsung Austin Research and Development Center (SARC) and Advanced Computing Lab (ACL), we are building a center of excellence for Intellectual Property (IP) that is applied to high-performance computing devices (mobile, automotive, and other custom market segments) consumed by millions of people around the world. Come build with us!

Samsung, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, is founded on a simple philosophy – the endless pursuit of excellence will create a better world for all. At Samsung Austin Research and Development Center (SARC) and Advanced Computing Lab (ACL), we are building a center of excellence for Intellectual Property (IP) that is applied to high-performance computing devices (mobile, automotive, and other custom market segments) consumed by millions of people around the world. Come build with us!

Role And Responsibilities

As a Senior Staff GPU RTL Firmware Engineer, you will help shape the design and development of control firmware for Samsung’s next-generation mobile GPUs, shaping critical subsystems such as the Command Processor (CP) and RunList Controller (RLC) that orchestrate GPU execution, scheduling, and system control. In this high-impact individual contributor role, you will collaborate with hardware and software teams to shape how GPU workloads are scheduled, managed, and brought to life in silicon. You will partner closely with architecture, RTL, software, and validation teams to help influence hardware–firmware interfaces, contribute to execution-control strategy, and ensure scalable, production-ready GPU IPs across multiple product generations and market segments.

• Leveraging your expertise in GPU control firmware (including CP and RLC architectures), you will help shape the definition, implementation, and evolution of firmware that orchestrates GPU execution, scheduling, context management, and system-level control across multiple GPU IP generations.
• You excel at contributing to the firmware lifecycle, driving firmware architecture, bring-up, debug, and validation while influencing RTL design decisions to ensure clean interfaces, functionality, and scalability across use cases.
• You ensure technical excellence through analysis and optimization of GPU execution and scheduling behavior by identifying performance, latency, and utilization bottlenecks across command processing, runlist management, preemption, and context switching.
• You help influence next-generation GPU architectures, contributing to CP and RLC evolution through RISC-V–based firmware development, architectural exploration, and early enablement of new scheduling, reliability, and power-aware execution features.
• You proactively collaborate with architecture, RTL, and software teams to align execution efficiency with system-level goals.
• You inspire high performance by mentoring junior engineers, contributing to a culture of ownership and innovation, and staying ahead of emerging GPU technologies and RTL firmware technologies.

Skills And Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or 8+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree, or 6+ years of experience with a Ph.D.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in firmware development, with strong proficiency in C/C++/ Assembly.
• Strong expertise in GPU or SoC architecture, including command processors, control logic, scheduling, and hardware–software interaction.
• Strong knowledge of RTL design, ASIC flows, Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Working knowledge of GPU pipelines and graphics/compute APIs (Vulkan, OpenGL, Direct3D, OpenCL).
• Hands‑on experience with RISC-V–based microprocessors, including firmware development, bring‑up, and debug.
• Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with proven ability to identify bottlenecks, propose solutions and guide implementation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and influence in a fast‑paced, global team environment.

Our Team

The GPU Project and RTL teams at SARC/ACL own the microarchitecture development of features for Samsung’s current and next‑generation mobile GPU IPs. Our work spans core RTL design, front‑end implementation, power and performance optimization, firmware enablement, and the infrastructure needed to deliver scalable, production‑ready designs. Through cross‑functional collaboration, we translate architectural concepts into high‑quality RTL that delivers market‑differentiating performance and energy efficiency. Our Xclipse GPU is the industry’s first mobile GPU with hardware ray tracing technology, enabling console‑level graphics on Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

You will join a diverse, highly collaborative organization working across concurrent‑development cycles, with direct impact on consumer technologies used worldwide. Here you’ll help build what’s next, experiment with new ideas and explore different GPU development verticals, broaden technical expertise, and solve impactful challenges in a supportive environment that values collaboration, continuous learning, and growth.

Total Rewards

At Samsung – SARC/ACL, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $180,200 and $270,400. Your actual base pay will depend on variables that may include your education skills, qualifications, experience, and work location.

Samsung employees have access to benefits including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), onsite lunch, employee purchase program, tuition assistance (after 6 months), paid time off, student loan program, wellness incentives, and many more. In addition, regular full‑time employees (salaried or hourly) are eligible for MBO bonus compensation, based on company, division, and individual performance.

Additionally, this role might be eligible to participate in long term incentive plan and relocation.

This is an exempt position, which is not eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Trade Secrets

By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung or induce or encourage Samsung to use any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to a current or former employer or other entity.

U.S. Export Control

This role may require access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Applicants must be authorized to access such information or eligible for government authorization.

#SARC #ACL

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