What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead RTL Engineer position at Smartwork IT Services?
Lead RTL Engineer
Location: Austin, TX (Onsite)
Key Skills- RTL Lead experience
- Processor/CPU Design
- Microarchitecture and Architecture Ownership
- Translate architecture specifications into synthesizable SystemVerilog.
- Own RTL coding standards, linting rules, and design methodology.
- Lead a team of 5 to 7 RTL engineers through the full design cycle.
- Own the synthesis flow using Design Compiler or Genus and drive timing closure.
- Define and maintain SDC timing constraints.
- Review all RTL code submissions for correctness, synthesizability, and coding standards.
- Coordinate with outsourcing partners on GDSII handover, including netlists, constraints, and floorplan guidance.
- Work closely with the verification team to resolve bugs and achieve coverage closure.
- 7 years of RTL design experience using SystemVerilog.
- At least one tapeout experience through GDSII with full design flow exposure.
- Hands-on experience with synthesis and timing closure using Design Compiler or Genus, and PrimeTime or Tempus.
- Strong experience in Processor, DSP, or datapath-intensive designs.
- Familiarity with advanced process nodes, 28nm or below.
- Strong code review skills with the ability to identify timing hazards, FSM issues, and non-synthesizable coding patterns.
- Experience leading a small team while remaining hands-on.
- Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills.
- VLIW or Vector Processor design experience.
- Experience with deterministic or real-time architectures with fixed latencies and no caches.
- Formal verification knowledge, including SVA and formal verification tools.
- FPGA prototyping experience using Vivado.
- Strong systems thinking and ability to navigate large, complex FPGA architectures.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills under tight timing and resource constraints.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with hardware, embedded software, DSP, and systems engineering teams.
- Excellent communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
- Ability to make and defend architectural decisions under ambiguity and project pressure.