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SoC Architect

Mountain View, California, United States Full-Time Hardware Engineering 5184

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SoC Architect

  • 5184
  • On Site
  • Mountain View, California
  • Hardware Engineering
  • Full-Time
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Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Waymo's Compute Team is tasked with a critical and exciting mission: We deliver the compute platform responsible for running the fully autonomous vehicle’s software stack. To achieve our mission, we architect and create high-performance custom silicon; we develop system-level compute architectures that push the boundaries of performance, power, and latency; and we collaborate closely with many other teammates to ensure we design and optimize hardware and software for maximum performance. We are a multidisciplinary team seeking curious and talented teammates to work on one of the world’s highest performance automotive compute platforms.

In this hybrid role, you will report to an Engineering Director.

You will:

  • Define the architecture and microarchitecture for Waymo's next-generation autonomous vehicle SoCs, translating system-level requirements into detailed hardware specifications and RTL implementation, using your knowledge of how hardware, firmware, drivers, and compilers interact
  • Lead microarchitecture and implementation of IPs and subsystems, including for high-performance cache/memory hierarchies, Network-on-Chip (NoC) interconnects, and custom accelerators
  • Work with other Architects, Firmware and Software teams to drive feature closure and develop microarchitecture specifications.
  • Perform power, area and performance exploration and optimization of digital designs
  • Mentor other engineers and guide the technical side of relationships with external vendors, using innovative ideas to solve their design challenges, evaluate and select third-party IP, and ensure a timely and successful tapeout and product

You have:

  • MS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 10+ years of industry experience in ASIC/SoC digital design, microarchitecture, and integration, including ownership of major design blocks or subsystems
  • Proven track record of technical leadership driving design and execution from concept to production, and hands-on experience with multiple successful ASIC tapeouts
  • Deep expertise in SystemVerilog for RTL design, microarchitecture, and integration
  • Strong understanding of computer architecture, memory systems, cache coherence, and high-speed on-chip interconnects
  • Fluency in programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, C++) for architectural modeling, design automation, and debug
  • Strong debug and problem-solving skills, with the ability to root-cause complex issues across hardware and software boundaries

We prefer:

  • PhD degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • Experience in hardware/software co-design, including in mixed hardware/software datapaths, such as in the context of DSPs, GPUs, and ML accelerators
  • Knowledge of arithmetic units, processor design, accelerators, bus architectures, fabrics/NoC or memory hierarchies.
  • Knowledge of high performance and low power design techniques
  • Fluency and comfort with AI tools to accelerate and improve design and debug
  • Experience with Chisel (Scala) or other hardware DSLs for RTL generation

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process. 

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements. 

Salary Range
$251,000—$310,000 USD

We appreciate your interest in Waymo. Waymo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a culture of belonging and maintaining a supportive workplace for all employees. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, and employment decisions are based on a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and alignment with job requirements and business needs. Waymo does not discriminate against, and prohibits harassment of, any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, military status, family status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. Waymo will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. Waymo is committed to making sure our hiring process is accessible for all candidates. If you need assistance applying for a role or participating in the interview process due to a disability, please let the recruiting team know or email waymo-candidatesupport@google.com. (This email address is intended to be used only for requesting accommodations as part of the application process. Other inquiries will not receive a response.)

Some of our Benefits

Health and wellness

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. At Waymo, you can enjoy top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance, mental wellness support, gym membership, and special wellness programs.

Financial wellness

Your financial peace of mind is important to us. At Waymo, we offer competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, equity, employees provident fund, and lots of other perks and employee discounts.

Flexibility and time off

Take the time you need to relax and recharge. Enjoy the flexibility to work from another location for four weeks per year. We support an on-site or hybrid work model and offer remote working opportunities, paid time off, bereavement, sick, and parental leave. 

Supporting families

When it comes to growing your family or caring for your loved ones, you have our full support. Enhanced leave options include 26 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents and 18 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Community and personal development

At Waymo, you'll find a range of opportunities to grow, connect, and give back. We offer education reimbursement, personal and professional development, mentorship, and other ways to connect through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), other internal groups, and even time off to volunteer.

Cool perks

Access to Google offices, cafes, wellness centers, massages, and so much more. To support your wellbeing at home, you can enjoy at-home fitness and cooking classes, and more.

Ready to Apply?