Custom Silicon Firmware Architect

Intel is seeking a highly qualified candidate to lead firmware architecture and innovation in a dynamic and forward‑thinking organization focused on next‑generation semiconductor product development. Our team focuses on being nimble, adaptable, lean and efficient to drive cutting‑edge, customer‑impacting technology development.

• Architect firmware for solutions across IP, SoC and Platform, modeling to ensure architectural correctness before implementation.
• Drive innovation in both product architecture and development methodology, running rapid experiments to learn and adjusting direction on insight.
• Leverage and extend AI‑powered engineering tools and workflows to accelerate product definition, software development, improve code quality, and scale team productivity - treating AI as a core part of the engineering toolkit, not an afterthought.
• Design and implement embedded firmware in environments with constrained timing and memory resources, using C, C++, System
  
  C, and Python across pre‑ and post‑silicon environments (RTL simulation, System
  
  C modeling, emulation).
• Collaborate fluidly across architecture, design, firmware, validation, and software teams - forming focused teams to solve problems, produce results, and move on.
• Develop and refine co‑engineering processes and tools for HW/FW co‑validation, including test infrastructure, automation, and supporting frameworks.
• Architect systems for flexibility and graceful evolution, applying disciplined judgment about what to include and what to leave out.
• Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar through rigorous code reviews, clear technical writing, and leading by example.
• Leverage industry standards, architectures, interfaces, IP, tools, and flows to work seamlessly within the broader ecosystem.

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
• Experience with one of more of the following:
  • Architecture and development of low‑level software/firmware requiring direct interaction with hardware.
  • Proficiency in C, C++, and/or System
    
    C.
  • Firmware debugging and development for embedded systems in constrained environments.
  • Leading architectural definitions for cross‑functional SoC, IP, or Platform teams through architecture, design, firmware, and validation to ship high‑volume production silicon.
  • Development of hardware/firmware co‑engineering methodologies (co‑validation, modeling, simulation, emulation).
  • Development of processes, tools, or test infrastructure for SoC or IP design and validation.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex system‑level problems spanning technical and organizational boundaries.
• Strong technical communication skills - clear writing that reflects clear thinking - with proven experience across technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Master’s degree with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
• Self‑directed and adaptable - thrives in lean teams, takes ownership regardless of organizational structure, and holds themselves and teammates accountable for results.
• Passion for building tools and processes that make the entire team faster, not just individual productivity.
• Experience using AI‑assisted development tools (e.g., Git Hub Copilot, AI‑driven code generation, AI‑augmented validation) and extending or customizing AI tooling for engineering workflows.
• Experience with RTL simulation environments (e.g., System Verilog test benches, UVM) and SoC emulation platforms for firmware bring‑up and debug.
• Experience with System
  
  C/TLM modeling for firmware co‑validation and architectural exploration.
• Experience with SoC subsystem firmware for power management, telemetry, interrupts, memory management, RAS, and/or security.
• Experience with cache‑coherent SoC fabrics, chiplet interconnects (e.g., UCIe), or high‑speed I/O interfaces (e.g., PCIe, CXL).
• Track record of shipping innovative firmware solutions in high‑volume silicon products.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust. This role is a Position of Trust. Should you accept this position, you must consent to and pass an extended Background Investigation, which includes, subject to country law, extended education, SEC sanctions, and additional criminal and civil checks.