Ambiq is seeking a Senior Director of Front-End Engineering to lead the design and implementation of our Edge AI MCU portfolio — driving the digital design integration and verification of ultra-low-power SoCs purpose-built for machine learning at the edge.

This is a hands-on strategic leadership role responsible for building and scaling a world-class engineering organization that delivers breakthrough performance-per-microwatt. The ideal candidate combines deep technical acumen with people leadership excellence and has a proven record of bringing advanced SoCs from architecture to production.

• Own and drive the front-end design of Ambiq’s Edge AI MCU platforms — including CPU subsystems neural accelerators security memory and peripheral integration.

• Lead architecture definition RTL design and subsystem integration focused on power-optimized AI compute and real-time performance.

• Develop and enforce world-class design methodologies across RTL verification (UVM) and static checks (lint CDC DFT readiness).

• Partner with Architecture and Physical Design teams to ensure seamless PPA optimization and first-silicon success.

• Evaluate and deploy next-generation EDA tools design automation and verification infrastructure to accelerate tapeout readiness.

• Drive design execution for multiple MCU programs concurrently from concept through production tapeout.

• Define and track program milestones deliverables and risk management plans with cross-functional stakeholders.

• Establish design review frameworks and sign-off criteria ensuring predictable high-quality execution.

• Lead and grow a team of front-end engineers across design verification and integration disciplines.

• Build a culture of technical excellence collaboration and accountability.

• Mentor senior technical staff and create clear pathways for career growth and technical leadership.

• Collaborate closely with system architects analog/mixed-signal and validation teams to co-optimize hardware and software performance.

• Partner with Product Management to translate application requirements (vision voice sensing) into silicon-level specifications.

• Interface with Operations Test and Product Engineering to ensure DFT yield and manufacturability goals are achieved.

• 20+ years of experience in semiconductor front-end design and verification with 15+ years in a leadership capacity managing multi-disciplinary teams.

• Proven track record of delivering MCU SoC or ASIC products into high-volume production.

• Expertise in low-power digital design including multi-voltage domains power gating and clock management.

• Strong hands-on understanding of SystemVerilog UVM and synthesis/STA methodologies.

• Familiarity with ARM Cortex-M/R/A or RISC-V architectures and on-chip interconnects (AHB/AXI).

• Excellent communication and leadership skills; proven ability to lead complex cross-site teams.

• Education: BS/MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering required; Ph.D. preferred.

• Experience with subthreshold or near-threshold design techniques and power modeling.

• Knowledge of EDA flows at advanced process nodes (16nm and below).

• First-pass silicon success across multiple Edge AI MCU programs.

• Demonstrable improvements in design productivity quality and predictability.

• Market-leading metrics enabling industry-best energy efficiency.

• A cohesive motivated team operating at high technical and cultural standards.

Software Architect

Architect

Staff Engineer

Head of Post-Silicon Engineering