Principal RTL Design Engineer

Principal RTL Design Engineer Overview

This is an opportunity for an experienced RTL design specialist to join a major semiconductor engineering team in Edinburgh and contribute to some of the most advanced work happening in modern chip design. The position sits within one of the company’s most important UK engineering locations and focuses on advanced IP, next-generation SoC development, and emerging chiplet-based technologies that support AI, high-performance computing, and datacentre infrastructure.

The role is suited to someone who wants to work on technically demanding silicon products, collaborate with international teams across Europe, the US, and Asia, and help shape products from early concept through to implementation. The environment is described as highly innovative, with access to sophisticated tools, complex design challenges, and opportunities to grow into broader technical leadership responsibilities.

What you will do

• Develop RTL for complex silicon solutions using Verilog and SystemVerilog.
• Contribute to the design and integration of advanced SoC blocks and subsystem-level functionality.
• Work in close partnership with architecture teams on future silicon products and platform development.
• Take responsibility for front-end design work, including synthesis, linting, and clock-domain crossing analysis.
• Provide technical direction across design tasks and support successful delivery of projects.
• Collaborate with verification, software, and systems engineering teams to ensure designs are robust and aligned across disciplines.
• Help establish and uphold strong design methodology and quality expectations.

What the employer is looking for

• More than eight years of experience in RTL design, ASIC design, digital IC design, or SoC development.
• Strong practical experience with Verilog and/or SystemVerilog RTL coding.
• A track record of working on complex digital ASIC or SoC programmes.
• Working knowledge of synthesis, lint, and CDC processes and techniques.
• Experience gained in semiconductor, ASIC, FPGA, or IP development settings.
• Good communication skills and the confidence to provide technical leadership.
• Additional familiarity with technologies such as PCIe, AMBA, CXL, UCIe, or other high-speed interfaces would be helpful, though it is not a requirement.

What is attractive about this opportunity

• You will work on chiplet technology, one of the fastest-expanding areas in semiconductor design.
• You will gain exposure to advanced design tools and modern development environments.
• The products support demanding applications in AI, HPC, and datacentre systems.
• You will join a well-known semiconductor business with a strong record of innovation.
• You will work alongside experienced engineers, architects, and technical experts.
• The role follows a hybrid pattern, with three to four days each week based onsite.
• The office is in central Edinburgh, with good transport access and local amenities.
• There is potential for long-term career growth and movement into more senior technical leadership roles.
• Visa sponsorship may be available for candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and are already based in the UK.

How to apply

Candidates with backgrounds such as Principal RTL Engineer, Senior RTL Engineer, ASIC Design Engineer, Digital IC Design Engineer, or SoC Engineer are encouraged to apply if they want to work on advanced semiconductor technology. Interested applicants should contact Steph Hutchinson at IC Resources for further information and submit an application through the advertised process.

The role is based in Edinburgh and is intended for engineers already located there or otherwise able to work in the UK under the stated sponsorship conditions.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

Visa Sponsorship Promising