Edge & Physical AI HW Product Manager/Director
NXP Semiconductors · Chandler
Job Responsibilities:
- Define and maintain the multi-generational hardware roadmap across discrete NPUs (Ara series), i.MX-integrated NPU IP, and chiplet-based scale-out architectures
- Translate customer requirements and competitive intelligence into silicon product specifications including performance targets (TOPS, TOPS/W, TOPS/sq.mm), memory architecture, power, I/O, packaging, safety and process node decisions
- Drive product definition through architecture review, design partitioning, and feature tradeoff decisions in close collaboration with silicon architects and engineering leads
- Own the business case for each hardware product — BOM cost, ASP, gross margin targets, volume projections, and NPV — and present investment recommendations to executive leadership
- Lead make-vs-buy-vs-IP-license assessments for new capabilities including MAC array architectures like in-memory compute, non-uniform memory subsystems, memory architectures and interconnect IP like UCIe
- Define chiplet strategy for scale-out NPU configurations — including die partitioning, die-to-die interface selection, and multi-chip package requirements to support larger model inference workloads
- Partner with the i.MX, S32 SoC, i.MCU, and RT product teams to define NPU IP integration requirements, including power domains, bus interfaces, memory bandwidth allocation, software-hardware co-design constraints, SoC bring-up, and debugging.
- Drive early access and customer sampling programs; gather validated product requirements from lead customers and feed them into architecture decisions before freeze
- Own the competitive benchmarking framework — track competing NPU silicon from Qualcomm, Nvidia, RockChip, Hailo, Axelera, Ambarella, and others; define differentiation strategy on formfactors, performance, power, cost, safety, support and software ecosystem
- Manage product lifecycle from definition through ramp, sustaining, and EOL — including customer transition plans across generations
- Represent the NPU hardware portfolio to NXP executive leadership, customers, partners, and at industry events
- Co-own SW development of dNPU, integrated and chiplet based designs w/ the SW product manager
- Develop end-to-end system solutions and demonstration platforms for hardware and software developers at industry events and conferences.
Job Qualifications:
- 10+ years of product management or product strategy experience in semiconductor or silicon IP, with direct ownership of hardware product definition and roadmap
- Hands-on experience defining silicon product specifications — performance targets, memory architecture, power envelopes, packaging, and process node decisions
- Strong understanding of SoC and IP integration — experience defining IP for integration into a host processor or SoC is strongly preferred
- Familiarity with chiplet architectures and multi-chip interconnect standards (UCIe, BoW, or equivalent) is a significant plus
- Track record of driving design wins and customer adoption across multiple product generations
- Ability to build and defend business cases including BOM cost, ASP, gross margin, and market sizing
- Experience with competitive analysis and differentiation strategy in a fast-moving semiconductor segment
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills — ability to drive alignment across architecture, engineering, sales, marketing, and executive stakeholders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to represent complex technical tradeoffs to both engineering teams and executive audiences
Good to have:
- Direct experience in AI/ML inference silicon — NPU, GPU, or inference accelerator product management
- Familiarity with inference workloads including CNNs, transformers, LLMs, and VLM variants deployed at the edge
- Experience working with ODMs, OEMs, and contract manufacturers on board design, system integration, and production
- Background in industrial, automotive, or embedded edge markets
- MBA or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline
More information about NXP in the United States...
NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.
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