Senior RTL Engineer – CPU in Cambridge

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a global pioneer in next‑generation processor technology. My client is a leading semiconductor company at the forefront of CPU innovation, developing advanced compute platforms that are shaping the future of high‑performance computing. With significant investment, an ambitious product roadmap, and technically challenging projects, this is an environment where engineers can solve complex problems and influence the future of processor design. Their technology enables some of the world’s most demanding applications across artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data centres, mobile, and consumer electronics. Built around a highly scalable, open processor architecture, the company is redefining modern chip design by giving customers greater flexibility while delivering exceptional performance and power efficiency.

As the business continues to grow globally, they are looking for a Senior RTL Design Engineer to help develop the next generation of world‑class processor IP.

The role

As a Senior RTL Design Engineer, you will join a team of highly talented engineers responsible for designing industry‑leading CPU cores. You’ll work across the full design lifecycle, contributing to cutting‑edge processor development and collaborating with world‑class architects and design engineers on technically demanding projects.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent industry experience)
• 3+ years’ experience in RTL design
• Academic or commercial experience in CPU RTL design
• Strong RTL design skills using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL
• A solid software engineering background, including experience with:
• Object‑oriented and functional programming paradigms – C, C++, Python
• Compiler infrastructures, particularly domain‑specific languages (DSLs)
• Test‑driven development and writing adaptive unit tests
• Excellent attention to detail and a passion for producing high‑quality, robust designs

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of RISC‑V architecture
• Expertise in one or more CPU microarchitecture areas, including:
• Instruction Fetch
• Instruction Decode
• Register Renaming
• Instruction Scheduling
• Vector Processing
• Load‑Store Units
• Knowledge of verification methodologies, including testbench development, UVM, and functional coverage

Why join?

This is an opportunity to work on technology that is helping shape the future of compute. You’ll collaborate with some of the industry’s leading CPU engineers, tackle challenging architectural problems, and contribute to products that will power tomorrow’s AI, cloud, automotive, and embedded systems. The engineering culture is highly collaborative, technically focused, and gives engineers genuine ownership over their work while encouraging innovation and continuous learning.

Package

Alongside a Highly Competitive Base Salary, You Can Expect:

• Annual bonus
• Company share options/equity
• Comprehensive benefits package
• The opportunity to work on world‑leading processor technology with exceptional career development prospects

Relocation support is available for experienced CPU design engineers across Europe. Visa sponsorship is also available for exceptional candidates both within and outside the United Kingdom.