Principal Edge AI Software Engineer

Location: Kanata, Ontario, Canada

About the Role

Join NXP’s AI & Chip Engineering (ACE) organization—one of the company’s flagship hubs for Edge AI innovation—based in Kanata. You’ll work at the forefront of embedded AI, enabling next-generation agentic AI, generative AI, and machine learning workloads on automotive and edge platforms. Your contributions will directly power intelligent systems across automotive, robotics, and industrial applications—where real-time, reliable AI matters. This role focuses on translating advanced AI models into optimized, production-grade embedded solutions, driving performance, efficiency, and scalability on NXP silicon.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and optimize high-performance Edge AI software for NXP embedded SoCs (MCU/MPU/NPU)

• Enable deployment of machine learning and generative AI models, build and integrate AI runtimes, inference engines, and model pipelines for real-time execution

• Drive performance optimization (latency, memory, power) through low-level system tuning

• Collaborate across system, silicon, and AI teams to deliver end-to-end AI solutions

• Participate in the full lifecycle: architecture → implementation → validation → production

• Contribute to next-gen Edge AI frameworks and platform enablement

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s (minimum) or Master’s/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 10+ years of overall experience

• 3+ years of experience in embedded software development (C/C++, Python)

• Strong experience with Linux-based embedded systems and performance-critical applications

• Understanding of processor architectures (ARM, SIMD/NEON, GPU/NPU acceleration)

• Experience with AI frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, ONNX Runtime, LiteRT) or custom runtimes, implementing or deploying AI/ML, DSP, or computer vision algorithms

• Proven track record in system-level optimization (CPU, memory, I/O, vectorization)

• Strong debugging, profiling, and analytical skills

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with hardware acceleration and offload (OpenCL, CUDA, DSP toolchains)

• Experience with model optimization techniques (quantization, pruning, graph optimization)

• Knowledge of automotive standards (ISO 26262, Automotive SPICE, AUTOSAR, MISRA)

• Exposure to Edge AI deployment pipelines and benchmarking methodologies

What Sets You Apart

• Passion for bringing AI to real-world embedded systems

• Ability to operate across software, hardware, and AI domains

• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to lead technical initiatives

• Collaborative and proactive approach in cross-functional environments

Why Join NXP

• Work on real-world AI systems deployed at scale across automotive and edge domains

• Be part of a globally recognized leader in secure embedded processing

• Access continuous learning, career growth, and cutting-edge innovation opportunities

• Contribute to a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future

About NXP

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

For more information, please visit our website https://www.nxp.com

Please note that the base salary range (OR hourly rate) is a guideline, and individual total compensation may vary based on a number of factors such as qualifications, skill level, work location, and other business and organizational needs. This base pay range is specific to roles in our Canada locations and is not applicable to other locations. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range as of the date of this posting is: $121,000 to $165,000 CAD.

Career Development Opportunities

Bright Minds. Bright Futures.

We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Visit our careers website for more job information.

Commitment At NXP.

We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and making measurable year-on-year progress. Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion | NXP Semiconductors

More information about NXP in Canada...