# SOC Architect

**Company:** [OpenAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/openai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Embedded Engineering
**Salary:** $266k – $445k/yr
**Skills:** Soc Architecture, Asic Design, Ai/Ml Accelerators, Cpu/Gpu/Npu, Memory Hierarchies, Interconnects, Power Management, Rtl Development, Hardware/Software Co-Design, Performance Modeling
**Posted:** 2026-04-22

> Leads definition and development of custom AI SoCs for edge ML inference, driving architecture, tradeoffs, and co-design with internal teams and silicon partners. Requires deep expertise in SoC subsystems, AI accelerators, and cross-functional leadership.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Define the architecture and technical roadmap for custom SoCs targeted for edge applications.
- Drive system-level tradeoff analysis across compute, memory, interconnect, power, thermal, and cost constraints.
- Architect energy-efficient ML compute subsystems optimized for inference workloads and real-world deployment environments.
- Collaborate with internal hardware, software, systems, and product teams to align architecture with platform needs.
- Partner with external silicon vendors, IP providers, and manufacturing partners to execute development plans.
- Lead hardware/software co-design efforts to maximize performance per watt and end-to-end system efficiency.
- Guide implementation teams through microarchitecture, RTL development, validation, and bring-up phases.
- Operate effectively in agile development environments and help teams deliver against aggressive schedules and milestones.

## Requirements
- Proven experience defining and delivering complex SoC or ASIC architectures from concept to production.
- Deep understanding of AI/ML accelerators, edge inference workloads, and energy-efficient compute design.
- Strong knowledge of SoC subsystems including **CPU/GPU/NPU architectures**, memory hierarchies, interconnects, and power management.
- Experience working with both internal engineering organizations and external strategic partners.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams in fast-paced, execution-driven environments.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across organizations.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with edge AI devices, embedded systems, or consumer hardware platforms.
- Background in performance modeling, silicon cost optimization, and workload-driven architecture.
- Familiarity with advanced process nodes and modern semiconductor development flows.

## Similar roles

- [Host Systems Software Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/1ccb7170-e689-450e-9c6c-f1f7a9a6a172) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $266k – $445k/yr
- [Robotics Software Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/cfb3f6c2-6272-4595-9864-166e78632b82) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $255k – $325k/yr
- [System Power Engineer, Consumer Devices](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/df5ef9e3-aa3e-452c-af0d-b9f2be6e2e2a) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $293k – $325k/yr
- [Camera Firmware Engineer, Consumer Products](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/3c839072-a0bd-4c81-9dbf-8700fecaa955) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $293k – $325k/yr
- [System Software Engineer, Consumer Products](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/9ea53ef4-8352-4602-a311-de8e79f18ef4) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $293k – $325k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/ea28efe0-e996-4f28-8936-049ecf001e88
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/ea28efe0-e996-4f28-8936-049ecf001e88