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Silicon Architecture Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Altera

Silicon Domain Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$118K - $178K/yr

About the Role Altera is seeking a Silicon Domain Architect to support the definition and ... Works with architecture and engineering teams to define microarchitectural features and ...

Altera

Silicon Domain Architect

San Jose, CA · On-site

$118K - $178K/yr

About the Role Altera is seeking a Silicon Domain Architect to support the definition and ... Works with architecture and engineering teams to define microarchitectural features and ...

Apple

Display Silicon Architect

Cupertino, CA · On-site

... display silicon architecture & requirements, working with external vendors as well as internal ... engineering requirement specification • Working with the silicon teams to perform and review ...

Apple Inc.

Display Silicon Architect

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$184K - $324K/yr

... display silicon architecture & requirements, working with external vendors as well as internal ... Authoring display silicon engineering requirement specification * Working with the silicon teams to ...

Apple

Display Silicon Architect

Cupertino, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

... display silicon architecture & requirements, working with external vendors as well as internal ... engineering requirement specification • Working with the silicon teams to perform and review ...

Socket.dev

Silicon Architect

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... architecture, roadmap, and execution plan for new custom silicon. This is a highly collaborative role spanning product, engineering, operations, and external silicon partners. The ideal candidate ...

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Silicon Architecture Engineer information

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$44.5K

$123.3K

$181.5K

How much do silicon architecture engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for silicon architecture engineer in the United States is $123,284.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,500.00 and $140,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a silicon architecture engineer?

Silicon Architecture Engineers are professionals who design and develop the underlying structures and systems of semiconductor chips, such as CPUs, GPUs, and SoCs (System on Chips). They create detailed specifications for how a chip will function, focusing on performance, efficiency, and integration of various hardware components. These engineers collaborate closely with hardware, software, and verification teams to ensure that the architecture meets technical and business requirements. Their work is fundamental to the creation of new computing devices, smartphones, and other electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a silicon architecture engineer?

To thrive as a Silicon Architecture Engineer, you need a strong background in computer engineering, digital logic design, and microarchitecture, usually supported by a relevant degree such as Electrical or Computer Engineering. Familiarity with hardware description languages (like Verilog or VHDL), EDA tools, and simulation environments is essential, and certifications in hardware design or ASIC/FPGA development can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork are key soft skills for collaborating on complex projects. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing efficient, reliable silicon solutions that meet performance and power requirements in cutting-edge hardware systems.

How does a silicon architecture engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the chip design process?

Silicon Architecture Engineers work closely with various cross-functional teams, such as design, verification, software, and hardware engineering, throughout the chip development lifecycle. They are responsible for defining the architectural specifications and ensuring that the implementation aligns with performance, power, and area goals. Regular collaboration involves technical meetings, design reviews, and problem-solving sessions to address architectural challenges and integrate feedback. This teamwork is crucial for successful tape-out and to ensure that the final silicon meets product requirements.

What is the difference between Silicon Architecture Engineer vs ASIC Design Engineer?

AspectSilicon Architecture EngineerASIC Design Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and defining the overall architecture of silicon chipsImplementing and verifying specific ASIC designs based on architecture
Skills & CertificationsVLSI design, digital logic, architecture principles, often with a background in electrical engineeringDigital design, verification, hardware description languages (HDL), often with similar credentials
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with architecture teams, chip designers, and system engineersWorks closely with design and verification teams to implement specific chip functions
Industry UsageUsed in semiconductor companies, system-on-chip (SoC) developmentCommon in ASIC development projects across various tech industries

Silicon Architecture Engineers focus on defining the overall chip architecture, while ASIC Design Engineers implement and verify specific designs within that architecture. Both roles require similar skills and often collaborate closely in semiconductor development projects.

How much do silicon architecture engineers make in the US?

Silicon architecture engineers in the US typically earn between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in hardware design and FPGA or ASIC development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $180,000.

What cities are hiring for Silicon Architecture Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Silicon Architecture Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Silicon Architecture Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Silicon Architecture Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Silicon Architecture Engineer jobs?

For Silicon Architecture Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Silicon Architecture Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,284 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Silicon Validation Engineer, Infra Silicon

Sunnyvale, CA

Meta
Internet and IT • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Metaexternal

$178K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Meta's Infrastructure Silicon organization is seeking a Silicon Validation Engineer to lead silicon validation efforts for custom-designed accelerators and infrastructure ASICs powering Meta's data center fleet. In this role, you will drive end-to-end validation strategy across the full silicon lifecycle — from pre-silicon planning and emulation-based verification through post-silicon bring-up, characterization, and fleet-scale deployment. You will serve as a technical authority bridging silicon design, systems architecture, and production infrastructure, ensuring that Meta's custom silicon meets rigorous performance, reliability, and functional requirements at scale.
Silicon Validation Engineer, Infra Silicon Responsibilities:
  • Define and own comprehensive validation strategies for custom infrastructure ASICs, spanning functional correctness, performance characterization, reliability stress testing, and power analysis across pre- and post-silicon phases
  • Lead pre-silicon validation planning using simulation and emulation environments, authoring test plans that map to architectural specifications and cover corner cases across compute, memory, and I/O subsystems
  • Drive post-silicon bring-up activities including board-level debug, firmware integration, and systematic root-cause analysis of silicon failures using lab instrumentation and diagnostic tooling
  • Develop and maintain automated validation frameworks, silicon diagnostics, and performance analysis tools that scale from early lab environments to large-scale data center deployments
  • Collaborate with ASIC design, architecture, and physical design teams to provide validation feedback that influences design-for-testability decisions and next-generation silicon architecture
  • Establish and track silicon quality metrics, characterization data, and yield analysis to inform productization decisions and deployment readiness gates
  • Partner with systems and firmware engineering teams to validate host-side integration, PCIe and fabric interconnects, thermal management, and power delivery across full-stack server configurations
  • Identify systemic silicon failure modes observed in the production fleet and drive corrective actions through design errata documentation, firmware workarounds, or architectural improvements
  • Mentor other engineers on validation methodology, debug techniques, and best practices for infrastructure silicon bring-up and characterization
  • Contribute to long-term validation infrastructure roadmaps, defining tooling investments and methodology improvements that improve coverage and reduce time-to-production for future silicon generations

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 8+ years of experience in silicon validation, hardware systems engineering, or post-silicon bring-up for custom ASICs, SoCs, or accelerator designs
  • 8+ years of experience with pre-silicon validation environments including RTL simulation, emulation platforms, or FPGA prototyping
  • Experience with post-silicon debug methodologies including use of logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG, and protocol analyzers for PCIe, DDR, or high-speed serial interfaces
  • Experience developing validation automation frameworks and diagnostic tooling using Python, C, or C++
  • Experience collaborating across ASIC design, architecture, firmware, and systems teams throughout the silicon development lifecycle

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with data center infrastructure silicon including AI/ML accelerators, network ASICs, or storage controllers in large-scale fleet environments
  • Experience defining design-for-testability requirements and contributing to silicon architecture reviews from a validation perspective
  • Familiarity with server systems architecture including PCIe topology, memory subsystems, and BMC-based platform management
  • Experience with power and thermal characterization, reliability stress testing, and silicon yield analysis for productization

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$178,000/year to $250,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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