Principal System and Software Architect

About SiFive

As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits.

At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.

Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time. 

Are you ready?

To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.

Job Description:

Principal System and Software Architect

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 System and Software Architect, you’ll play a leading role in designing and implementing these platforms, spanning software and hardware architecture and engineering.

In this position, you’ll play a lead role in designing and evaluating RISC-V computing systems. Unlike many larger companies, SiFive engineers can work cross-functionally, with full access to our software and hardware codebases.

The primary home for this role is in SiFive’s Software Engineering group, architecting and writing 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.

Responsibilities:

• You will work with multiple engineering teams to architect, design, implement and deliver advanced CPU cores, subsystems, SoCs, and IP subsystems with emphasis on scalability, performance, reliability, and support of new hardware technologies.

• Utilize your experience to create solutions to key architectural challenges for modern, high-level systems

• Design and help develop SiFive and RISC-V software.

• Help plan and estimate complex software projects.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to help plan how to test key features in complex system environments.

Requirements:

• 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 (HLOS)

• 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, both for 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 working with RTL engineers and with RTL product lifecycles.

• Strong communication skills.

• Strong project leadership skills, including the ability to develop roadmaps, work breakdowns and estimates, and drive small projects.

Nice to have:

• Experience with accelerated computing software and hardware stacks.

• Experience with Linux distributions or distribution builders such as Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SLES, and Yocto.

• Experience with C++, Rust, or SPARK/ADA.

• Experience working in global teams and with cross-cultural communication.

• Experience with virtualization and device passthrough workloads.

If you want to do incredible work and be challenged by exciting, truly innovative projects that will test the boundaries of your skills and creativity, then SiFive is the place for you! Be proud of your work. Do things better. Join SiFive.

Notice to Staffing Agencies / External Recruiters:

Thank you for your interest in SiFive Inc. Please note that SiFive does not accept unsolicited resumes from external agencies unless contracted to fill a specific position. Agencies are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact SiFive employees directly in an attempt to present candidates – all applications must go through SiFive's internal recruiting team. Any third-party resume forwarded by agencies/external recruiters to a SiFive mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to SiFive employees, or to SiFive's resume database will be considered property of SiFive Inc and treated as a direct application. This exchange does not constitute an agreement between SiFive and the agency/external recruiter. SiFive reserves the right to contact the candidate directly. Employment agencies/external recruiters will receive no compensation from SiFive or its companies.

Compensation Range:

$187,000-$326,000

Additional Information:

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in

United States of America

Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any 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.

California residents: please see our job candidate notice for more information on how we handle your personal information and your privacy rights: Privacy Policy Document.

Pay & Benefits

Consistent with SiFive values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. We have a market-based pay structure which varies by location. Please note that the base pay range is a guideline, and our compensation range reflects the cost of labor in the U.S. geographic market based on the location of the role. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant work experience. 

For candidates who receive and offer, the starting salary will vary based on various factors including, but not limited to, such qualifications as, skill level, competencies, and work location. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee.

Base Pay Range

In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/ incentive compensation and/ or equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a comprehensive, competitive benefits package which may include healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more! 

Additional Information:

This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in

United States of America

Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are a authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any 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.

California residents: please see our job candidate notice for more information on how we handle your personal information and your privacy rights: Privacy Policy Document.