ASIC Design Engineer, Principal

Positron AI specializes in developing custom hardware systems to accelerate AI inference. These inference systems offer significant performance and efficiency gains over traditional GPU-based systems, delivering advantages in both performance per dollar and performance per watt. Positron exists to create the world's best AI inference systems.

As a Principal ASIC Design Engineer, you will take a leadership role in defining, implementing, and delivering critical IP blocks and subsystems for Positron.ai’s inference ASICs/SoCs. You will own the microarchitecture from high-level concept through RTL signoff, collaborating across architecture, verification, and physical design to achieve ambitious PPA and schedule goals. In addition to hands-on System Verilog design, you will mentor junior engineers, influence methodology, and drive key architectural tradeoffs that impact silicon performance and efficiency.

• Define and document microarchitecture for complex IP blocks/subsystems.
• Deliver production-quality, parameterized System Verilog RTL with well-defined interfaces, power/clock intent, and embedded assertions.

• Lead lint, CDC/RDC, DFT integration, and synthesis bring-up; collaborate with PD on floorplan and timing closure.
• Own PPA metrics for assigned blocks and drive microarchitectural optimizations to meet targets.

• Architect and integrate high-performance interconnects (AXI/CHI/ACE), DMA engines, coherency logic, and high-speed memory interfaces (HBM/DDR).
• Engage with IP vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless integration.
• Develop and enforce coding guidelines, reusable IP packaging, and signoff checklists.
• Contribute automation flows (Python/Tcl/Make/CI) to improve team efficiency.

• Partner closely with Verification to define test plans and reference models.
• Work with Architecture and Performance teams to correlate models against RTL.
• Support bring-up, post-silicon debug, and customer engagements as required.

• Guide junior engineers in design techniques, methodology, and problem-solving.
• Lead design reviews, drive consensus on tradeoffs, and advocate for best-in-class solutions.

• BS/MS in EE/CE (or related) with 8+ years of ASIC/SoC RTL design experience on complex, high-performance silicon.
• Proven track record of leading designs from spec → microarchitecture → RTL → signoff with strong PPA outcomes.
• Deep System Verilog RTL expertise, including clocking, resets, CDC/RDC handling, and protocol correctness.
• Extensive experience with front-end flows/tools (lint, CDC, synthesis/STA, DFT) using major EDA suites.
• Hands-on expertise with at least three of: HBM/DDR, PCIe/CXL, AMBA AXI/ACE/CHI, cache/memory hierarchies, high-throughput datapaths.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, capable of leading technical discussions and producing clear specifications.

• Background in AI/ML accelerator design (matrix/vector engines, compression, NoC bandwidth planning).
• Formal verification/SVA expertise for property checking and design assertions.
• Experience with low-power design techniques (clock-/power-gating, UPF/CPF).
• Collaboration experience with cocotb/UVM for checkers and reference model co-development.
• Familiarity with RISC-V subsystems, coherence protocols, or customer-owned tooling (COT) flows.

While this role is currently posted at a specific level, we are a growth-oriented organization and are open to hiring at a more senior level for the right candidate. Please note that this job description serves as a focused but generalized overview of the role; specific…