Staff Engineer, Hardware Design (AI2540)

SiMa.ai, Inc.; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 219,000; Full time

Job summary

SiMa.ai, Inc. in San Jose, CA is seeking a Staff ASIC Design Engineer to own complex blocks from microarchitecture and RTL through verification and silicon bring-up.

This full-time, on-site role requires expert RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog), strong block-level optimization, and collaboration with verification, physical design, architecture, and firmware teams to meet timing, power, and area targets. Salary ranges from $136,900 to $219,000.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in EE/CE or related field.
• 5+ years of ASIC design experience focusing on block-level RTL.
• Experience taking blocks from microarchitecture to silicon.
• Experience with RTL design, synthesis, timing closure, and DFT concepts.

Responsibilities

• Own microarchitecture definition and RTL implementation of complex blocks.
• Drive ground-up block design from specification to silicon.
• Develop high-quality, synthesizable RTL in Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Collaborate with verification, physical design, architecture, and firmware teams to meet timing, power, and area targets.
• Drive block-level synthesis, timing closure, and DFT readiness.

Skills

RTL design

Microarchitecture

Synthesis

Timing closure

DFT concepts

Data-path optimization

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Synthesis tools

DFT tooling

Job description

Job Title: Staff Engineer, Hardware Design

Job Location: San Jose, CA (This position requires a full-time, on-site presence in our San Jose, CA office)

Job ID: AI2540

Job Description:

We are seeking a Staff ASIC Design Engineer with deep expertise in RTL design and ground-up block-level silicon development. The ideal candidate will own complex design blocks from microarchitecture and RTL implementation through verification support and silicon bring-up. This position offers the opportunity to shape and influence the design architecture and methodology of SiMa's silicon in a fast-paced startup environment.

Areas of Focus:

• Own microarchitecture definition and RTL implementation of complex blocks from concept through silicon.


• Drive ground-up block design, owning each block from specification and microarchitecture to RTL, integration, and bring-up.


• Develop high-quality, synthesizable RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog), including custom logic, protocol adaptation, and data-path optimizations.


• Define block-level interfaces, microarchitectural trade-offs, and design specifications.


• Collaborate with verification, physical design, architecture, and firmware teams to ensure each block meets functional, timing, power, and area targets.


• Drive block-level synthesis, timing closure, and DFT readiness.

Key Requirements:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.


• 5+ years of experience in ASIC design, with a strong focus on block-level RTL design and silicon development.


• Proven track record of ground-up block design, taking blocks from microarchitecture and RTL through to working silicon.


• Expert-level RTL design skills (Verilog/SystemVerilog), with hands-on experience in synthesis, timing closure, and DFT concepts.


• Strong understanding of microarchitecture trade-offs, data-path and control logic design, and block-level optimization for power, performance, and area.

Nice to Have:

• Experience designing hardware for machine learning / AI accelerators.


• Experience designing hardware for complex algorithms


• Experience integrating blocks into larger SoCs.


• Exposure to firmware or driver development

Personal attributes:

Can-do attitude. Strong team player. Curious, creative and good at solving problems. Execution and results-oriented. Self-driven, Thinks Big and is highly accountable. Good communication skills.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $136,900 - $219,000. The actual annual salary offered will depend on several factors, including - among others - job-related skills, experience, technical expertise, qualifications, work location, and business needs. The annual salary range for this position is subject to change and may be adjusted in the future.

In addition to base salary, this role is also eligible for private company equity, and a comprehensive package of employee benefits. Please note that the salary ranges listed for U.S. roles reflect base salary only and do not include equity or other forms of compensation.

EEO Employer:

SiMa is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.