Sr. CPU Core RTL Design Engineer

Hardware FYI; Boxborough (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD in Massachusetts is seeking an experienced CPU Core RTL Design Engineer to design and optimize next-generation processor cores. You will work with architecture, performance, verification, and physical design teams to shape core pipeline logic and microarchitecture features.

You will influence performance, power, and scalability while tackling pre- and post-silicon challenges, collaborating across functional teams and contributing to scalable RTL methodologies and best practices.

Qualifications

• Experience with Verilog/SystemVerilog RTL in CPU/SoC/ASIC environments.
• Strong understanding of modern CPU architectures, esp. out-of-order cores.
• Expertise in logic design and high-speed processor pipelines.
• Knowledge of load/store, cache, TLB, prefetch, and branch prediction subsystems.
• Power-aware design techniques with timing and power optimization.
• Familiarity with synthesis, P&R, and timing closure.
• Experience debugging with performance and verification teams.
• Exposure to architecture through post-silicon debug and full product lifecycle.
• Familiarity with physical design, scripting (Python, Tcl), DFT, clocking, reset.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement RTL for CPU core pipeline components and related logic.
• Contribute to microarchitecture definition for next-generation cores.
• Collaborate with architecture, verification, and performance teams to deliver optimized designs.
• Analyze and improve performance, power, and timing characteristics.
• Support design verification, synthesis, timing closure, and physical design efforts.
• Debug and resolve pre-silicon and post-silicon issues.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align on design trade-offs and execution.
• Contribute to scalable RTL methodologies, libraries, and best practices.

Skills

Verilog/SystemVerilog RTL

CPU architecture

Logic design

High-speed pipelines

Load/store, cache, TLB

Synthesis & timing closure

Debugging with perf/verification

Education

Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.

At AMD, we believetechnology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMDis shapingthefuture.

Whetheryou’redesigning next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, orbringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger— technologythat moves the world forward.Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.

THE ROLE:

As a CPU Core RTL Design Engineer, you will help design and optimize next-generation high-performance processor cores within AMD’s central core RTL team, which supports a wide range of products across client, server, and AI platforms. Working closely with architecture, performance, verification, and physical design partners, you will contribute to the development of core pipeline logic and microarchitecture features, with flexibility to align to areas such as load/store or decode based on your expertise. This role has direct impact on performance, power efficiency, and scalability of future CPU designs, offering the opportunity to solve complex technical challenges and influence the direction of cutting-edge processor technology.

THE PERSON:

You are a strong problem solver with deep curiosity about CPU architecture and a passion for building efficient, high-performance designs. You collaborate effectively across teams, communicate clearly, and can operate independently to drive complex technical challenges to resolution. You bring both critical thinking and creativity, along with the ability to balance performance, power, and timing considerations in modern processor design.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and implement RTL for CPU core pipeline components and related logic

• Contribute to microarchitecture definition for next-generation processor cores

• Collaborate with architecture, verification, and performance teams to deliver optimized designs

• Analyze and improve performance, power, and timing characteristics

• Support design verification, synthesis, timing closure, and physical design efforts

• Debug and resolve pre-silicon and post-silicon issues

• Partner with cross-functional teams to align on design trade-offs and execution

• Contribute to scalable RTL methodologies, libraries, and best practices

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with Verilog/SystemVerilog RTL development in CPU, SoC, or ASIC environments

• Strong understanding of modern CPU architecture, especially out-of-order cores

• Expertise in logic design and high-speed processor pipeline development

• Experience with load / store, cache hierarchy, address translation / TLB, prefetch, branch prediction or similar core subsystems.

• Knowledge of power-efficient and low-power design techniques, including timing and power optimization

• Familiarity with synthesis, place-and-route, and timing closure

• Experience debugging and optimizing designs in collaboration with performance and verification teams

• Exposure to the full product lifecycle, from architecture through post-silicon debug

• Familiarity with physical design, scripting (e.g., Python, Tcl), and concepts such as DFT, clocking, reset, and power management

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field preferred

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

#LI-TB1

Benefits offered are described:

AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.