At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead micro-architecture design for next-gen GPU/AI compute IP and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge tech firm focused on high-performance silicon delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with quick visibility of your contributions and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on innovative projects and enhance your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in digital design with strong SystemVerilog and micro-architecture experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 135000 £ per year.
My client's engineering team is looking to add Principal Design Engineers to support the development of next-generation GPU / AI compute IP. This role is focused on strengthening core design and micro-architecture capability, with a clear objective of unblocking delivery across critical programmes where design is currently the constraint. You will operate at the intersection of architecture, RTL design, and physical implementation awareness, working closely with verification and system teams to ensure scalable, high-performance silicon delivery.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Own micro-architecture definition from high-level specifications
- Develop high-quality SystemVerilog RTL aligned to performance, power, and area targets
- Work closely with verification teams to ensure design-for-verification efficiency
- Collaborate with physical design teams to understand and mitigate timing, congestion, and power challenges
- Contribute to overall design strategy and technical direction
- Take ownership of complex blocks within GPU / compute architectures
- Support and influence engineering best practices across the design function
- Operate as a senior technical contributor within a matrix engineering structure
Essential Skills:
- Strong experience in SystemVerilog RTL design
- Proven background in micro-architecture ownership (not just implementation)
- ~15+ years' experience within digital design (SoC / CPU / GPU / complex ASIC environments)
- Understanding of physical design outcomes (timing, area, power trade-offs)
- Awareness of verification methodologies and design-for-test considerations
- Experience working across cross-functional teams (architecture, verification, physical design)
- Ability to operate at Principal level with autonomy and technical leadership
- Strong communication skills, both technical and non-technical
Nice to Have:
- GPU / CPU / AI accelerator experience
- Memory / cache / interconnect design
- Datapath / ALU / compute architecture experience
- Experience within high-performance or complex SoC environments
What this isn't:
- Not a pure RTL "coding" role without ownership
- Not a narrow block-level implementation position
- Not a research-only or theoretical architecture role
- Not a role where requirements are fully defined for you
Why This Role:
- Opportunity to operate at true Principal level with ownership
- Direct impact on delivery across high-value IP programmes
- Work on complex, high-performance GPU / AI compute designs
- Strong engineering environment with cross-functional collaboration
- Exposure to architecture, design, and system-level challenges
- Immediate need — your impact will be visible quickly
Salary and Package:
- £100,000 – £135,000 base salary
- 30% Bonus (company performance related)
- Total Compensation (£135,000 - £175,500)
- Pension
- Private medical
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Relocation support available
- Hybrid working (3 days onsite)
Interview Process:
- 1st stage: Technical screening (45 minutes)
- 2nd stage: Technical panel (2 hours 10 minutes)
- 3rd stage: HR / final discussion
This process can typically be completed within 2–3 weeks (depending on availability).
Principal Design Engineer in England employer: Elite People Partners Ltd
Join a forward-thinking engineering team as a Principal Design Engineer, where your expertise in SystemVerilog and micro-architecture will directly influence the development of cutting-edge GPU and AI compute technologies. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and offers significant opportunities for professional growth, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and impactful contributions to high-value projects. Enjoy a competitive salary package, including bonuses and comprehensive benefits, all while working in a hybrid environment that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to referrals, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for Principal Design Engineers and practice your answers. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your projects! Bring a portfolio of your work to interviews. Highlight your experience with SystemVerilog and micro-architecture ownership. This will demonstrate your skills and give interviewers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in SystemVerilog RTL design and micro-architecture ownership. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about GPU/AI compute designs and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, make sure to mention any experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. We love seeing teamwork in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elite People Partners Ltd
✨Master the Technical Screening
Before your first interview stage, brush up on your SystemVerilog and micro-architecture knowledge. Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've owned micro-architecture definitions and how you tackled challenges in design-for-verification efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
During the technical panel, highlight your experience working with verification and physical design teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated across functions to solve timing, power, and congestion issues in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to convey ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to operate effectively within a matrix engineering structure.
✨Prepare for Ownership Questions
Expect questions about your approach to taking ownership of complex blocks within GPU or compute architectures. Think of specific instances where you've influenced engineering best practices and contributed to overall design strategy, as this will show your readiness for a Principal level position.
