Description

Synaptics is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As the go-to partner for the world's most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, Veros™ wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We're making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play.

Overview

Synaptics is seeking a highly experienced Principal ASIC Design Engineer to provide technical leadership across SoC architecture, design, integration, verification, implementation, and silicon bring-up. This is a senior technical leadership role requiring deep expertise in digital ASIC/SoC design, low-power architecture, and system-level integration, along with a proven ability to solve complex technical problems and influence engineering decisions across multiple disciplines. You will drive critical SoC initiatives from architecture through production, working closely with Design, Verification, Physical Design, DFT, Systems, Firmware, and Software teams, serving as a technical authority for complex design and integration challenges, drive scalable design methodologies and best practices, mentor engineers, and help shape the technical direction of current and next-generation products. This position reports to the Sr. Director, ASIC Design.

Responsibilities & Competencies

Job Duties

Provide technical leadership for the architecture, micro-architecture, and design, integration of complex ASIC/SoC products from concept through tape-out, silicon bring-up, and production
Define and review SoC architecture, micro-architecture, clock/reset architecture, system interfaces, and integration requirements in collaboration with system architects and cross-functional engineering teams
Drive key architectural and implementation decisions by balancing power, performance, area, cost, schedule, and design complexity (PPA
Drive power analysis and optimization across architecture, RTL, and physical implementation in collaboration with designers, system architects, and implementation teams
Provide technical leadership for RTL design and SoC integration, including coding quality, Lint, CDC/RDC, SDC, and design-quality closure
Drive SoC integration and release quality with IP teams, ensuring IP and subsystem deliverables meet established design-quality criteria and program milestones
Guide verification planning and methodologies, collaborating closely with the verification team to ensure functional correctness and coverage closure
Partner with physical design teams on floorplanning, synthesis, STA, timing closure, congestion, power integrity, and PPA optimization, ensuring effective front-end/back-end convergence
Serve as the technical point of escalation for complex pre-silicon and post-silicon issues, leading systematic root-cause analysis across hardware, firmware, software, and system boundaries
Influence technical decisions across geographically distributed Design, Verification, Physical Design, DFT, Systems, Firmware, Software, Product, and Program Management teams
Establish and promote engineering best practices for RTL coding, architecture and design reviews, documentation, integration, release criteria, and design quality

Competencies

Expert knowledge of ASIC/SoC design methodologies, low-power designs using UPF, including power domains, isolation, retention, power sequencing, and power-state management
High proficiency in RTL coding (Verilog/SystemVerilog, VHDL) and simulation environments
Strong knowledge of clock/reset architecture, lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, STA, DFT, power analysis, and physical design considerations
Strong knowledge of Perl/Python, Tcl scripting to improve design and verification efficiency
Deep knowledge of industry-standard EDA methodologies and tools from Synopsys, Cadence, and/or Siemens EDA, including synthesis, STA, low-power, and design-quality flows
Familiarity with physical design flows, constraints, and close interaction between front-end and back-end teams to root-cause complex issues at block, subsystem, and SoC levels
Analytical and data-driven decision-making, with the ability to balance tradeoffs in complex systems.
Ability to communicate complex, interactive design concepts clearly
Proactive, self-starter, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment to complete projects on time with minimal guidance
Well organized with strong attention to detail; proactively ensures work is accurate
Positive attitude and work ethic; unafraid to ask questions and explore new ideas
Resourceful and able to solve highly complex problems through adaptation of existing technology and development of new technology with a deep understanding of product architecture
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with engineers, senior leadership, customers, IP vendors, and external partners
Ability to work within a diverse team and mentor developing team members

Qualifications (Requirements)

Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent
15+ years of experience in ASIC/SoC design, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or architect-level role
Proven track record of delivering high-performance SoCs from architecture through tape-out, silicon bring-up, and production; hands-on experience with WiFi/Bluetooth SoCs is a strong plus
Extensive experience with low-power architecture and UPF-based design methodologies, including complex multi-power-domain SoCs
Strong knowledge of clock/reset architecture, lint, CDC/RDC, synthesis, STA, DFT, power analysis, and physical design considerations
Experience with industry-standard design and verification tools (e.g., Synopsys Design Compiler/Fusion Compiler, PrimeTime, Cadence, Mentor Graphics)
Excellent pre-silicon and post-silicon debugging skills and root-cause analysis of complex design issues at block and system levels
Strong understanding of hardware/firmware/software interactions, system-level validation, FPGA/emulation environments, and silicon bring-up
Track record of providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary and geographically distributed engineering teams
History of mentoring engineers and influencing technical direction without relying solely on organizational authority to, and drive complex cross-functional initiatives to successful completion
Minimal travel up to 5%

Belief in Diversity

Synaptics is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.