Sr. Director, SoC Architecture

Posted 5 Hours Ago
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Austin, TX, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Hardware • Internet of Things • Software • Wearables • Semiconductor
Join the Team Powering the Future of Edge AI
The Role
Lead system architecture for next-generation ultra-low-power AI SoCs from concept through production. Define processor, memory, interconnect, clocking, power, accelerator, and hardware/software partitioning strategies while managing power, performance, and area tradeoffs. Develop architecture specifications and models, evaluate IP, guide silicon implementation and validation, collaborate with customers and cross-functional engineering teams, and mentor architecture staff.
Summary Generated by Built In

Company Overview

Ambiq is on a mission to enable intelligence everywhere — powering the AI edge revolution with the world's lowest-power semiconductor solutions.

Built on our proprietary sub- and near-threshold technology, our chips deliver multi-fold improvements in energy efficiency without costly process scaling. Since 2010, we've shipped over 300 million units to customers building smarter wearables, medical devices, IoT products, and AI-powered edge applications.

Our cross-functional teams span design, research, development, production, marketing, sales, and operations across Austin, Hsinchu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore. We move fast, tackle hard problems, and create space for people to grow through complex, meaningful work that shapes the future of technology.

We're looking for self-motivated, creative problem-solvers who are eager to push technological limits and make a real impact in energy efficiency.

At Ambiq, we live by five values: Innovate. Collaborate. Focus. Learn. Achieve.

If that's you, join us — the intelligence everywhere revolution starts here.


Ambiq is looking for a Senior Director of SOC System Architecture to help define the next generation of ultra-low-power AI SoCs powering wearables, intelligent edge devices, IoT, and other battery-constrained products.

This is a highly influential technical leadership role with broad ownership of SoC architecture—from early product concepts and architectural tradeoffs through implementation, silicon validation, and production.

You’ll work across Architecture, Advanced Development, Hardware, Software, Marketing, and customer-facing teams to answer a challenging question:

How do we deliver significantly more intelligence and performance at the edge while consuming dramatically less power?

If you’re an experienced SoC architect who wants to stay close to the technology while having a major voice in what gets built next, this is that opportunity.

What You’ll Do
  • Lead architecture definition for Ambiq’s next-generation ultra-low-power AI SoCs from concept through production
  • Define system architecture across processors, memory, interconnect, clocking, power management, and hardware accelerators
  • Drive power, performance, area, and system-level tradeoffs for highly constrained embedded devices
  • Develop architecture and microarchitecture specifications, system dataflows, and power/performance models
  • Make key hardware/software partitioning decisions in partnership with software and systems teams
  • Evaluate internal and third-party IP, including AI/ML accelerators, and influence Ambiq’s long-term technology roadmap
  • Partner with design, verification, FPGA, physical design, and software teams to translate architecture into working silicon
  • Work with customers and product teams to understand critical use cases and translate them into future SoC capabilities
  • Support pre-silicon development, silicon bring-up, post-silicon analysis, and production readiness
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship across Ambiq’s architecture and engineering organization
What We’re Looking For
  • 15+ years of SoC, processor, microcontroller, or related system architecture experience
  • Proven experience defining and delivering complex SoC architectures from concept through silicon
  • Deep understanding of low-power embedded systems, ideally for wearable, IoT, mobile, or other battery-powered products
  • Strong knowledge of SoC architecture, including:
    • CPU/MCU subsystems
    • Memory architecture and topology
    • Fabric/interconnect
    • Clocking and power management
    • Hardware/software partitioning
    • Power and performance modeling
  • Experience creating architecture and/or microarchitecture specifications used by hardware and software engineering teams
  • Strong cross-functional technical leadership and the ability to influence across engineering disciplines
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
Even Better If You Have
  • MS or PhD
  • Experience with AI/ML accelerators, NPUs, DSPs, GPUs, or heterogeneous compute
  • Experience with graphics, display, video, imaging, or computer vision architectures
  • Knowledge of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, or other wireless technologies
  • Experience with advanced semiconductor process nodes
  • Experience with FPGA prototyping and post-silicon validation
Why Ambiq?

At Ambiq, ultra-low power isn’t simply another design target—it’s our core technology.

This role offers the opportunity to influence the architecture behind future generations of intelligent edge devices while working directly with senior technical and business leadership.

You won’t be responsible for maintaining someone else’s roadmap.

You’ll help define what comes next.

Work Authorization: Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Skills Required

  • 15+ years of SoC, processor, microcontroller, or related system architecture experience
  • Experience defining and delivering complex SoC architectures from concept through silicon
  • Deep understanding of low-power embedded systems, preferably for wearable, IoT, mobile, or battery-powered products
  • Strong knowledge of CPU/MCU subsystems, memory architecture, fabric/interconnect, clocking, power management, hardware/software partitioning, and power/performance modeling
  • Experience creating architecture or microarchitecture specifications for hardware and software engineering teams
  • Strong cross-functional technical leadership and ability to influence across engineering disciplines
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
  • Currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer
  • Master’s degree or PhD
  • Experience with AI/ML accelerators, NPUs, DSPs, GPUs, or heterogeneous compute
  • Experience with graphics, display, video, imaging, or computer vision architectures
  • Knowledge of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, or other wireless technologies
  • Experience with advanced semiconductor process nodes
  • Experience with FPGA prototyping and post-silicon validation

Ambiq Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Healthcare coverage includes company-paid medical, dental, and vision, with some plans covering 100% of employee-only premiums. Additional provisions include mental health resources, HSA/FSA options, disability coverage, and an EAP.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Time away is structured with 15 PTO days per year with carryover up to 180 hours, 15 paid holidays plus a floating day, and a year-end shutdown. Parental and family medical leave are also highlighted.
  • Retirement Support Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with a company match of 50% up to 4% of pay, free retirement planning tools, and access to financial advisors. Basic life and AD&D coverage (1x salary up to $100,000) further bolster financial security.

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The Company
HQ: Austin, Texas
220 Employees
Year Founded: 2010

What We Do

Ambiq® enables intelligence (AI and beyond) everywhere by delivering the lowest-power semiconductor solutions for battery-powered edge devices. As a pioneer in ultra-low power SoCs, Ambiq empowers wearables, IoT, smart home, healthcare, and industrial products with always-on, energy-efficient intelligence. Backed by our SPOT® technology and global innovation leadership, Ambiq is shaping the future of edge AI.

Why Work With Us

Direct influence on silicon architecture Smaller, high-impact teams Hardware/software co-design in real time Faster technical decision cycles Visible ownership at Staff & Director level Austin-based collaboration culture

Ambiq Offices

OnSite Workspace

Building silicon and embedded AI systems requires tight collaboration across firmware, hardware, validation, and architecture teams. We believe the hardest engineering problems are solved through direct, daily collaboration.

Typical time on-site:
HQAustin, Texas
Taiwan
China
Singapore
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