Datacenter System Software Architect

Job Description

The Role:

Do you want to be part of the RISC‑V revolution? RISC‑V and SiFive are redefining computing platforms for the 21st century. As a datacenter system software architect, you’ll play a leading role in designing and implementing high‑performance RISC‑V Linux systems for datacenters, spanning software and hardware architecture and engineering. Unlike in many larger companies, SiFive engineers work cross‑functionally, with full access to our software and hardware codebases.

The home for this role is in SiFive’s Software Architecture group. You’ll architect and write software that takes advantage of SiFive and RISC‑V hardware features and integrates cleanly with existing operating systems, primarily Linux. You’ll help author and review architecture specifications for new hardware and software features, and will help plan and execute the work involved in implementation. You’ll be a part of creating something big – all based around the RISC‑V instruction set architecture.

• Architect systems and system software for hyperscaler deployments based on RISC‑V, focusing on software and system architecture, collaborating closely with hardware architects.
• Engage with key customers and partners to integrate functional and performance requirements, understand workloads, and ensure SiFive systems are well‑supported in the relevant software ecosystems.
• Help guide the development of RISC‑V software and firmware stacks for servers, including platform controller firmware, platform firmware, hypervisors, Linux, and application stacks.
• Participate in the development of RISC‑V standards pertaining to servers.
• Engage with RISC‑V software ecosystem organizations to help guide external development.
• Work with SiFive performance benchmarking and software optimization teams to identify and resolve bottlenecks limiting performance.
• Help port and optimize modern hypervisors and virtualization stacks to run on RISC‑V.
• Drive adoption and integration of next‑generation server extension cards, involving CXL, RDMA, networking and storage offload, and compute accelerators.
• Help plan, estimate, and drive complex software projects.

• Experience defining requirements for x86 or ARM servers for hyperscaler use cases.
• Experience with key server requirements including RAS, telemetry, manageability, and I/O offloading.
• Experience with key application workloads, including distributed databases, AI/ML training/inference, agentic AI, and high‑throughput microservices.
• Experience developing low‑level code in C for multiprocessor, multithreaded operating systems such as the Linux kernel, BSD kernels, or other high‑level operating systems.
• Understanding of computer architecture at the CPU and system levels, VLSI design concepts and how they impact hardware and software architecture.
• Experience writing and reviewing architecture specifications for both hardware and software.
• Experience with modern desktop and server ecosystems, including PCIe, Device Tree, ACPI, and UEFI.
• Experience with the RISC‑V ISA and RISC‑V software ecosystem.
• Experience with datacenter Linux distributions such as Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SLES.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong project leadership skills, including the ability to develop roadmaps, work breakdowns and estimates, and drive projects.

• Experience working with RTL engineers and with RTL product life cycles.
• Experience with C++ or Rust.
• Experience working in global teams and cross‑cultural communication.

Consistent with SiFive values and applicable law, we provide a market‑based pay structure. Base pay range: $ – $. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/incentive compensation and/or equity. It also includes a comprehensive benefits package that may include healthcare, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States of America. Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are authorized for access to export‑controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if not already authorized, obtaining necessary export license(s) or other approvals.

SiFive is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an E‑Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I‑9 upon hire.

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