PhD Internship – AI Processor Architecture for Edge Applications

Join a vibrant, international R&D team at NXP Semiconductors, where academic excellence meets real-world impact. Our team includes multiple PhD-level engineers and a university lecturer, all working at the forefront of AI processor architecture for edge applications. We’re shaping the future of embedded intelligence in domains like robotics, automotive (ADAS), and industrial automation.

In this role, your research will contribute to both academic advancement and the development of technologies that power billions of AI-enabled edge devices. You’ll collaborate with fellow PhD students, Technical Directors, and NXP Fellows—our technological thought leaders. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with real silicon and state-of-the-art industrial software stacks for machine learning.

We actively support publications, academic exchange, and open innovation.

🔍 Research Focus (flexible within scope):

• Heterogeneous accelerator architectures for robotics, ADAS (e.g., radar, lidar), and industrial AI
• Co-design of hardware, software, and tools for real-time, safety-critical systems
• Domain-specific compiler and runtime support for physical AI workloads
• Integration of sensor fusion and perception algorithms into custom accelerators

🧠 Your Profile:

• PhD student in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Enrolled at a university that supports internships during the PhD
• Strong interest in real-time systems, embedded AI, and heterogeneous computing
• Experience with hardware design (e.g., RTL, HLS, FPGA, ASIC)
• Familiarity with AI workloads in physical or embedded systems is a plus

🌍 Why NXP?

• Work in a collaborative, research-driven environment
• Contribute to products with global reach
• Access to cutting-edge tools and silicon
• Support for academic publishing and conference participation

If you're passionate about AI hardware and want your research to reach millions of users through real products, this is your chance to make a tangible impact.

Please note:
The successful candidate may/will be responsible for security related tasks.
The assignment may/will be in scope of security certifications, therefore a conscious and reliable way of working is necessary.

More information about NXP in Germany...

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