Principal Engineer, Digital Design Engineering

Principal Engineer, Digital Design Engineering

Full-Time 100000 - 135000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Elite People Partners Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of next-gen GPU/AI compute IP and enhance micro-architecture capabilities.
  • Company: Join a cutting-edge tech firm focused on high-performance digital design.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension, private medical, and hybrid working options.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for rapid career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in a dynamic environment with visible results.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in digital design, strong SystemVerilog skills, and micro-architecture expertise.

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.

Principal Design Engineer – Role & Responsibilities:
  • 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
  • Support and influence engineering best practices across the design function
  • Operate as a senior technical contributor within a matrix engineering structure
Principal Design Engineer – 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)
  • GPU / CPU / AI accelerator experience
  • Memory / cache / interconnect design
  • Experience within high-performance or complex SoC environments
  • Not a pure RTL “coding” role without ownership
  • Not a narrow block-level implementation position
  • 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.

30% Bonus (company performance related) ~ Total Compensation (£135,000 - £175,500) ~ Pension ~ Private medical ~ Life assurance ~ Relocation support available ~ Hybrid working (3 days onsite)

Principal Engineer, Digital Design Engineering employer: Elite People Partners Ltd

As a Principal Engineer in Digital Design Engineering, you will join a dynamic and innovative engineering team dedicated to developing cutting-edge GPU and AI compute technologies. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and cross-functional teamwork, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and impactful. With competitive compensation packages, including performance-related bonuses and comprehensive benefits, we provide an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.

Elite People Partners Ltd

Contact Details:

Elite People Partners Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer, Digital Design Engineering

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a GitHub repository that highlights your SystemVerilog projects and micro-architecture designs. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with cross-functional teams and how you've tackled design challenges in past projects.

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 Engineer, Digital Design Engineering

SystemVerilog RTL Design
Micro-Architecture Ownership
Digital Design Experience
Physical Design Awareness
Verification Methodologies
Design-for-Test Considerations
Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

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 achievements in high-performance GPU or AI compute designs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your work in digital design and how you've tackled challenges in cross-functional teams. Let your passion for engineering shine through!

Showcase Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with verification and physical design teams, make sure to highlight your experience in collaborative environments. We love seeing how you’ve contributed to team success and influenced engineering best practices.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Elite People Partners Ltd

Know Your SystemVerilog Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your SystemVerilog skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how you've used SystemVerilog to meet performance, power, and area targets. Having specific examples ready will show that you’re not just familiar with the language but can also apply it effectively.

Understand Micro-Architecture Ownership

Since this role requires a strong background in micro-architecture ownership, be ready to explain your experience in this area. Discuss how you've contributed to design strategy and technical direction in previous roles, and how you’ve tackled challenges related to timing, congestion, and power.

Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration

This position involves working closely with verification and physical design teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated across different engineering functions. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and influence best practices within a matrix structure.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

The interviewers will want to see how you approach complex design challenges. Be ready to discuss specific problems you've faced in high-performance or complex SoC environments and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking and technical expertise.