Sr Dir, SoC Architecture & Development

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary

The Sr Technical Director of SoC Architecture and Development represents, manages, and coordinates the following Engineering team: System on Chip (SoC) development team which include Architecture/Design/ASIC/Verification/Board development. They will also manage and coordinate the following external design house & consultancy team: SoC design, Functional Safety and SW/HW development process for SoC and lead Proof of Concept (POC) projects with Semiconductor companies for strategic partner section for SoC development.

The Sr Technical Director of SoC Architecture and Development will hire a top-tier talent team for engineering growth in CARIAD and lead a highly competent technical team (Best of the Best) for SoC, and Software development for strategic growth of CARIAD with a mission of in-house competence for SoC development to compete with Automotive technology companies. They will find technology competence and provide expertise support to Global brands for SoC development, Software development for up-coming VW group vehicle platforms.

Role Responsibilities

SoC Architecture

• Define SoC Frontend Architecture and Micro-architecture. Drive the selection of various interface and functional IPs.
• Design and Verification on feature scoping, trade-off analysis and design implementation phasing plans, Verification recommendations, Design and Verification plan reviews.
• Physical Design during timing clocking reviews and convergence issues, Power-Performance, and post-Silicon Validation team during Power-ON phase.
• Leads to define top level architecture of next generation autonomous car SoC for CARIAD
• Leads to develop formal requirements for key silicon components, IP block requirements, packaging options, etc. required for supplier qualification and selection process
• Leads to develop formal Silicon Architecture and Behavior Specification including System-on-Chip (SoC) functional requirements, IP block requirements, partitioning, development plan and silicon verification platform design.
• Leads to develop ASIC Product Description Document detailing use cases and features
• Leads physical design and logic design engineers to create chip and block level functional and micro-architecture specifications that will be used by ASIC, hardware and software developers.
• Manages various IP vendors for IP. Business/Licensing negotiation with IP Vendors (PCIe, Codecs, ISP, NoC, AI Accelerators etc.).
• Leads SoC package design for design constraints (Physical, Space and Electrical), optimize design based on design review and SI/PI simulation result.
• Leads in developing die floor plan, bump map, perform fan-out study and mockup design
• Leads in developing RTL design architecture and specification.
• Leads SoC development platform considering Functional Safety requirements
• Leads engineering verification and validation test plans at the unit, IP, integration, and SOC full chip levels
• Leads Post-silicon validation bring up and production ramp.
• Supports to build up Center of Excellence for SoC development and semiconductor suppliers' evaluation

Operational Management

• Supervise semiconductor engineering leads as well as vehicle test lab activities, ensuring compliance with all environmental laws
• Supervise vehicle testing activities, ensuring compliance with all environmental laws
• Approve the planning data for budget, investment and human resources capacity for SoC development team.
• Sets strategic targets for the departments and leads engineers to the definition and achievement of goals.
• Reach decisions within the specified area of responsibility as well as delegate tasks/decisions to qualified employees, while retaining responsibility
• Manages Semiconductor suppliers' evaluation initiatives and qualification processes.
• Locates, acquires, and retains extraordinary talent for the ramp-up phase of the Engineering Team and for future growth.
• Leads build up Center of Excellence for SoC development and semiconductor suppliers' evaluation
• Monitor compliance with relevant regulations, statutes, Board Directives, process standards (including in respect of Golden Rules and Product Compliance), procedural/operating instructions and occupational safety regulations using appropriate management controls (dual-control principle).
• Assure the qualification of employees for the defined tasks
• Identify and mitigate project technology risks and execution risks

Years of Experience

• 12+ years of experience with SoC Architecture and Development
• 12+ years of automotive and leadership experience.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Desired Education

• Master’s Degree in Engineering

Skills:

• Technical Leadership skills
• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Experience in developing strategies for R&D
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strategic/visionary minded
• Resource management

Required Skills

• Excellent strategically thinking, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of SoC Hardware platform development and corresponding software. Experienced with introduction into mass production of the same.
• Experience to establish a professional network within the ecosystem of automotive suppliers, and technology companies such as: Computer system technology companies; Semiconductor vendors; Start-up companies.
• Strong network in engineering community to hire extraordinary talent in HCP hardware, semiconductor technology and corresponding base/driver software.
• Proven track record as lead architect on several production tape-outs.
• Must have outstanding SoC and system architecture fundamentals. Specification ownership/authoring for the High-level architecture spec or key SoC features, architecting new blocks and capabilities.
• Good understanding of power and performance tradeoffs, transient and steady-state performance states, idle and dynamic power states, as well as how SoC data and control flows interact.
• Solid understanding of electrical and thermal considerations at the chip, package and system levels.
• Good understanding of hardware-software interfaces.

Desired Skills

• Experience with automotive-qualified designs.
• Knowledge of ML/AI Accelerators
• Experience with MCU devices
• Expertise in ARM platform architecture specifications like SBSA, SBMR and SBSG
• Experience in video decoding
• Knowledge of major SoC interfaces and related protocols: - Ethernet, CSI-2/3, chip-to-chip communication, sensor fusion solutions, I2C, SPI, DDR, NOR, NAND, EMMC, NVMe etc.…
• Experience of secure boot, crypto
• Automotive Functional Safety expertise, working experience with ISO26262 standard.
• System C or C++ development skills, or relevant programming experience

Work Flexibility

• Travel to worldwide locations required

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. In the city of Santa Clara, California, the salary range for this position is $240,200 - $325,100.

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.