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Cpu Rtl Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WI · On-site

$350K/yr

CPU Microarchitect/RTL Design Engineer - Leading Semiconductor Company - Up to $350,000 base + bonuses Our client is a global leader in cutting-edge semiconductor technology, empowering billions of ...

Lead a team of CPU RTL engineers responsible for the design and delivery of complex CPU subsystems including instruction fetch, decode, branch prediction, scheduling, execution pipelines, memory ...

As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early ...

As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early ...

As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early ...

RISCV CPU System RTL Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Knowledge of high-performance design strategies and trade-offs in CPU microarchitecture ... RTL Engineer, you will own or contribute to the following: * Explore performance and power ...

The Role and Impact As a RTL Design Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the core ... Design and implement logic for CPU features using register transfer level (RTL) coding. * Optimize ...

Showing results 21-40

Cpu Rtl Design Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

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

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for cpu rtl design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 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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Infographic showing various Cpu Rtl Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

CPU Micro-Architecture and RTL Design Engineer (RISC-V) Santa Clara, California, United States [...]

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Qualcomm
Technology, Communication and Media • 10K+ employees

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

## CPU Micro-Architecture and RTL Design Engineer (RISC-V)Santa Clara, California, United States of AmericaApply NowFind out how well you match with this jobJob ID3093894## **Company:**Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.## **Job Area:**Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering**General Summary:**Qualcomm is a company of inventors that unlocked 5G ushering in an age of rapid acceleration in connectivity and new possibilities that will transform industries, create jobs, and enrich lives. But this is just the beginning. It takes inventive minds with diverse skills, backgrounds, and cultures to transform 5Gs potential into world-changing technologies and products. This is the Invention Age - and this is where you come in.We are hiring talented engineers for CPU RTL development targeted for high performance, low power devices using the RISC-V Architecture. As a CPU Micro-architecture and RTL Design Engineer, you will work with chip architects to conceive of the micro-architecture, and also help with architecture/product definition through early involvement in the product life-cycle.**Roles and Responsibilities*** Performance exploration. Explore high performance strategies working with the CPU modeling team.* Microarchitecture development and specification. From early high-level architectural exploration, through micro architectural research and arriving at a detailed specification.* RTL ownership. Development, assessment and refinement of RTL design to target power, performance, area and timing goals.* Functional verification support. Help the design verification team execute on the functional verification strategy.* Performance verification support. Help verify that the RTL design meets the performance goals.* Design delivery. Work with multi-functional engineering team to implement and validate physical design on the aspects of timing, area, reliability and testability.**Preferred Qualifications*** Thorough knowledge of microprocessor architecture including expertise in one or more of the following areas: instruction fetch and decode, branch prediction, instruction scheduling and register renaming, out-of-order execution, integer and floating point execution, load/store execution, prefetching, cache and memory subsystems* Knowledge of Verilog and/or VHDL. Experience with simulators and waveform debugging tools* Knowledge of logic design principles along with timing and power implications* Understanding of low power microarchitecture techniques* Understanding of high-performance techniques and trade-offs in a CPU microarchitecture* Experience using a scripting language such as Perl or Python**Minimum Qualifications:**• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience. OR PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).**To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies**: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.**EEO Employer: Qualcomm 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.**Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.**Pay range** **and Other Compensation & Benefits****:**$167,100.00 - $250,700.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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About Qualcomm

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Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985