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Cpu Rtl Design Engineer Jobs in Folsom, CA (NOW HIRING)

Principal DFT Engineer, HBM

Folsom, CA · On-site

$146K - $309K/yr

This role is part of the SoC execution team, working closely with RTL design, verification, physical design, and product engineering to ensure robust, scalable, and manufacturable test solutions from ...

Senior SoC Design Verification Engineer

Folsom, CA · On-site

$145K - $177K/yr

Job Details: About the Role As a Senior SoC Design Verification Engineer , you will lead ... Working closely with architects, RTL designers, security engineers, and validation teams, you will ...

Principal DFT Engineer, HBM

Folsom, CA · On-site

$146K - $309K/yr

This role is part of the SoC execution team, working closely with RTL design, verification, physical design, and product engineering to ensure robust, scalable, and manufacturable test solutions from ...

Showing results 41-60

Cpu Rtl Design Engineer information

See Folsom, CA salary details

$43.3K

$94.3K

$169.5K

How much do cpu rtl design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu rtl design engineer in Folsom, CA is $94,258.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,700.00 and $105,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CPU RTL design engineer?

CPU RTL (Register Transfer Level) Design Engineers are specialized hardware engineers who design, implement, and verify the digital logic that forms the core of computer processors. They use hardware description languages like Verilog or VHDL to create and simulate the functional blocks of CPUs, ensuring correct operation and optimal performance. Their work involves close collaboration with architecture, verification, and physical design teams to bring processor designs from conception to silicon. They also debug and optimize designs to meet power, speed, and area goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CPU RTL design engineer?

To thrive as a CPU RTL Design Engineer, you need a strong background in digital logic design, computer architecture, and proficiency in hardware description languages like Verilog or VHDL, typically supported by a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard EDA tools such as Synopsys or Cadence, and experience with simulation, synthesis, and verification methodologies are essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These competencies enable the accurate implementation, debugging, and optimization of complex CPU designs, ensuring performance and reliability in final hardware products.

What are some common challenges faced by CPU RTL design engineers when collaborating with verification and architecture teams?

CPU RTL Design Engineers often work closely with both verification and architecture teams to ensure that the design meets functional and performance requirements. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication of design intent and handling feedback from verification regarding corner cases or bugs. Balancing architectural changes with design timelines and maintaining synchronization across multiple teams can be demanding. Successful engineers proactively document their work, participate in regular sync-ups, and are open to iterative improvements based on collaborative feedback.

What is the difference between Cpu Rtl Design Engineer vs Cpu Verification Engineer?

AspectCpu Rtl Design EngineerCpu Verification Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing RTL code for CPU componentsVerifying and testing RTL designs for correctness
Skills & CertificationsHDL languages (Verilog/VHDL), FPGA/ASIC design experienceHDL, testbench development, simulation tools
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, hardware development labsVerification teams, simulation environments
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, CPU design firmsASIC/FPGA verification, chip validation

While both roles require HDL knowledge and work within hardware design environments, Cpu Rtl Design Engineers focus on creating the RTL code for CPU components, whereas Cpu Verification Engineers concentrate on testing and validating those designs to ensure functionality and performance.

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For Cpu Rtl Design Engineer jobs in Folsom, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Cpu Rtl Design Engineer jobs in Folsom, CA are:

What cities near Folsom, CA are hiring for Cpu Rtl Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Folsom, CA with the most Cpu Rtl Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Cpu Rtl Design Engineer job openings in Folsom, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,258 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Lead Validation Engineer

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Advanced Micro Devices rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description


WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING 

At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you’ll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world’s most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond.  Together, we advance your career.  



KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead CPU Core Hardware Security validation across post-silicon environments, ensuring feature quality, security, and product readiness and influence design and architecture.
  • Drive validation of innovation through AI, automation, tool development, coverage enhancement, and methodology improvements.
  • Collaborate with CPU architects, RTL, firmware, and software teams to understand feature specifications, identify gaps, and define validation strategies.
  • Develop test plans, validation documentation, and coverage models for CPU, security, firmware, hypervisor, and operating system interactions.
  • Create directed and random stress, and security-focused test suites to validate CPU functionality, privilege transitions, memory protection, and virtualization features.
  • Debug complex silicon, firmware, and validation failures using architecture, scan, trace, and system-level debug techniques to determine root cause and drive resolution.
  • Validate hardware security technologies including Secure Boot, Secure Processor, Memory Encryption, Secure Nested Paging (SNP), attestation, and virtualization security features.
  • Validate mitigations for speculative execution, side-channel, and privilege escalation vulnerabilities, including Spectre and Meltdown-class protections.
  • Lead cross-functional execution, drive issue closure, manage technical risks,  generate validation weekly reports and ensure validation milestones are met.
  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in validation, debug, and security methodologies.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

  • Strong background in CPU architecture, microarchitecture, and hardware security.
  • Hands-on experience in CPU Core or Security post-silicon validation, test development, and complex system-level debug.
  • Strong knowledge of x86/x86-64 architecture, exception handling, paging, memory management, cache coherency, and processor initialization.
  • Experience validating hardware security technologies such as Secure Boot, Memory Encryption, SNP, Trusted Execution Environments, attestation, and virtualization security.
  • Understanding transient execution vulnerabilities and mitigations, including Spectre, Meltdown, side-channel protections, and secure execution techniques.
  • Experience debugging firmware, RTL, and silicon issues using simulation, emulation, and post-silicon validation tools.
  • Strong programming skills in x86-64 Assembly, C, and C++.
  • Proficiency with Python, Perl, Ruby, Shell, or similar scripting languages.
  • Experience developing automation solutions and validation infrastructure in Linux and distributed compute environments.
  • Experience working with Linux, hypervisors, virtual machines, and cloud-scale environments.
  • Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and drive execution across multiple engineering teams.

 ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

  • Bachelor’s / Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer engineering, or a technology related field

LOCATION: 

Folsom, CA

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

#LI-DNI



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.

Qualifications:

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.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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