Silicon SoC Architect

Intel; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 221,000 - 361,000; Full time

Job summary

Intel is seeking a Principal Engineer in Silicon SoC Architecture to lead end-to-end SoC design across hardware, firmware, and software interfaces. You will guide architecture definition and verify performance, power, timing, and area goals for next‑gen data center and agentic computing products.

You will mentor other senior engineers, drive cross-functional collaboration, and deliver scalable, high‑quality SoCs while shaping the technology roadmap and architectural strategy at Intel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 12+ years of experience.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of experience.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 6+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated track record of innovation, including conceptualizing and specifying advanced microarchitectures for future products.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and contributing to technical strategies.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills to develop leadership within the organization.
• Expertise in benchmarking, performance analysis, and advanced statistical modeling.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in computing, with a strategic vision for the evolution of SoC architectures.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop end-to-end SoC architectures, including hardware, firmware, and functional specifications, to meet connectivity, configuration, performance, timing, power, and area goals.
• Drive the evaluation, integration, and optimization of existing IP blocks into new SoCs, defining gaskets or glue logic as necessary.
• Explore and implement novel architectural features for next-generation products, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable designs.
• Develop, execute, and analyze tests, test plans, and testing infrastructure to validate new architectures and features, using advanced statistics and data analysis to benchmark performance and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with architects, design engineers, system engineers, and verification engineers to ensure seamless SoC design and address development constraints.
• Review and influence cross-functional roadmaps, define technology targets, and contribute to the long-term innovation strategy for future SoCs.
• Act as a domain expert, providing technical leadership across the organization and the industry.
• Mentor and develop other technical leaders while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in alignment with Intel’s core values.
• Deep expertise in SoC architecture development methodologies, system architecture, and microarchitecture.
• Proven experience in defining architecture features, registers specifications, and SoC development.
• Proficiency in computer architecture fundamentals, CPU architecture, and systems thinking.
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving and evaluating feasibility tradeoffs to drive SoC optimization.

Skills

End-to-end SoC architectures

Hardware, firmware, and specifications

IP integration and glue logic

CPU architecture fundamentals

Benchmarking and performance analysis

Mentoring technical leaders

Education

Bachelor’s/BS in EE/CE or related field

Master’s in EE/CE or related field

PhD in EE/CE or related field

Job description

Job Description:

The Role and Impact

As a Principal Engineer specializing in Silicon SoC Architecture at Intel, you will be at the forefront of designing and driving next-generation System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures that define the future of datacenter and agentic computing. This is a role of strategic importance, where your expertise will shape the technological direction of Intel and influence the industry at large. You will lead the end-to-end architecture and development of modular, scalable, and highly optimized SoCs that serve the needs of diverse segments, from high-performance computing to ultra-low power solutions. By innovating new architectural approaches and mentoring other technical leaders, you will play a pivotal role in delivering leadership solutions that power the world's most impactful technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and develop end-to-end SoC architectures, including hardware, firmware, and functional specifications, to meet connectivity, configuration, performance, timing, power, and area goals.
• Drive the evaluation, integration, and optimization of existing IP blocks into new SoCs, defining gaskets or glue logic as necessary.
• Explore and implement novel architectural features for next-generation products, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable designs.
• Develop, execute, and analyze tests, test plans, and testing infrastructure to validate new architectures and features, using advanced statistics and data analysis to benchmark performance and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with architects, design engineers, system engineers, and verification engineers to ensure seamless SoC design and address development constraints.
• Review and influence cross-functional roadmaps, define technology targets, and contribute to the long-term innovation strategy for future SoCs.
• Act as a domain expert, providing technical leadership across the organization and the industry.
• Mentor and develop other technical leaders while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in alignment with Intel’s core values.
• Deep expertise in SoC architecture development methodologies, system architecture, and microarchitecture.
• Proven experience in defining architecture features, registers specifications, and SoC development.
• Proficiency in computer architecture fundamentals, CPU architecture, and systems thinking.
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving and evaluating feasibility tradeoffs to drive SoC optimization.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 12+ years of experience. OR
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of experience. OR
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 6+ years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of innovation, including conceptualizing and specifying advanced microarchitectures for future products.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and contributing to technical strategies.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills to develop leadership within the organization.
• Expertise in benchmarking, performance analysis, and advanced statistical modeling.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in computing, with a strategic vision for the evolution of SoC architectures.

Job Type: Experienced Hire

Shift: Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location: US, California, Santa Clara

Additional Locations: US, California, Folsom, US, Colorado, Fort Collins, US, Massachusetts, Beaver Brook, US, Oregon, Hillsboro, US, Texas, Austin

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

This role is a Position of Trust. Should you accept this position, you must consent to and pass an extended Background Investigation, which includes (subject to country law), extended education, SEC sanctions, and additional criminal and civil checks. For internals, this investigation may or may not be completed prior to starting the position. For additional questions, please contact your Recruiter.

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $220,920.00-361,480.00 USD

The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compens