In the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, learning new technologies is key to staying competitive. One of the most talked-about innovations in recent years is RISC-V, an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) that is reshaping the landscape of processor design.

Unlike traditional ISAs like ARM or x86, RISC-V offers flexibility, extensibility, and open standards, making it an attractive choice for both established companies and startups focused on SoC (System-on-Chip) design, embedded systems, and custom processors.

As VLSI design engineers, verification engineers, or firmware developers, learning RISC-V gives you a competitive edge by opening doors to cutting-edge roles and future-proofing your career.

This blog dives deep into why RISC-V matters today, its growing industry adoption, job opportunities it creates, and how you can upskill effectively to master RISC-V for your next VLSI job.

What Is RISC-V and Why Is It Important?

Understanding RISC-V

RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer – Five) is an open-source ISA based on established RISC principles. It provides a set of modular and extensible instructions that hardware and software developers can freely use to build custom processors and accelerators.

Key Advantages of RISC-V

• Open Source: No licensing fees, unlike ARM or x86 architectures.
• Customizability: Designers can add custom instructions or modify standard ones for specialized applications.
• Simplicity and Modularity: Its minimal base instruction set can be extended based on project requirements.
• Portability and Interoperability: Supports a wide range of applications from embedded systems to high-performance computing.

Industry Adoption

Major companies and organizations are increasingly adopting RISC-V:

• Western Digital uses RISC-V for storage controllers.
• SiFive offers RISC-V cores for embedded applications.
• NVIDIA is investing in RISC-V-based processors for AI acceleration.
• Alibaba, Qualcomm, and Samsung are exploring RISC-V for IoT and AI chip designs.

Why It Matters for VLSI Professionals

RISC-V is not just a research topic anymore—it is becoming mainstream in SoC design, firmware development, and verification workflows. Learning RISC-V enables you to design, verify, or program RISC-V-based SoCs, giving you a significant edge over peers focused only on traditional ISAs.

Career Opportunities in RISC-V for VLSI Professionals

Job Roles That Demand RISC-V Expertise

• RISC-V SoC Design Engineer
  • Design and integrate RISC-V cores into custom SoC architectures.
  • Work on RTL coding and design optimization using Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• RISC-V Verification Engineer
  • Develop UVM-based testbenches specifically for RISC-V cores.
  • Perform functional, performance, and power verification of RISC-V processors.
• Embedded Software Engineer (RISC-V)
  • Develop low-level firmware and device drivers for RISC-V SoCs.
  • Optimize operating systems (Linux, FreeRTOS) for RISC-V architecture.
• AI Accelerator Architect with RISC-V Integration
  • Design AI-specific processors based on RISC-V cores for edge devices.
• RISC-V FPGA Developer
  • Implement RISC-V soft cores on FPGAs for prototyping and validation.

Industries Hiring

• Semiconductor giants (Intel, Qualcomm, Western Digital)
• Embedded systems startups
• IoT device manufacturers
• AI hardware companies
• Open-source hardware development companies

Future Demand

According to industry experts, RISC-V is expected to grow by 25% CAGR in the next 5 years. The open-source model and government initiatives (like India’s India Semiconductor Mission) further accelerate its adoption.

Key Skills to Learn for RISC-V

Hardware Design Skills

• RTL Design (Verilog/SystemVerilog)
• Microarchitecture Design of RISC-V cores
• Knowledge of standard RISC-V instruction sets and privileged modes

Verification Skills

• UVM (Universal Verification Methodology) for RISC-V core verification
• Functional and Formal Verification
• Testbench development for RISC-V instruction testing

Embedded Software Development

• Low-level programming in C for RISC-V SoC
• RTOS porting and customization for RISC-V
• Bootloader development for RISC-V systems

Simulation and FPGA Prototyping

• Using tools like ModelSim, QuestaSim for simulation
• Implementing open-source RISC-V cores (e.g., RocketChip, PicoRV32) on FPGA

Open-Source Tools Ecosystem

• RISC-V GCC Toolchain
• OpenOCD for debugging
• Spike (RISC-V ISA Simulator)

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving for custom instruction set implementation
• Collaboration across hardware-software teams
• Keeping updated on open-source RISC-V developments

How to Upskill Effectively in RISC-V

Step 1: Understand RISC-V ISA
Study the official RISC-V specifications: base integer ISA and privileged modes
Explore RISC-V Foundation resources

Step 2: Hands-On Projects
Implement a basic RISC-V processor on FPGA using open-source cores (RocketChip, PicoRV32)
Develop firmware that runs on a RISC-V soft-core (e.g., blink LED on FPGA)

Step 3: Online Courses and Certifications
Take courses like:
“RISC-V Microprocessor Design” (Udemy)
“Introduction to RISC-V” (edX)
RISC-V International training programs

Step 4: Participate in RISC-V Community
Contribute to open-source RISC-V projects on GitHub
Join RISC-V Foundation forums
Attend RISC-V workshops and webinars

Step 5: Apply Knowledge in Real Job Scenarios
Develop UVM testbenches for open-source RISC-V cores
Optimize Linux Kernel for RISC-V platforms
Use Spike simulator for functional testing

Industry Trends: Why RISC-V Is the Future

Government and Industry Support

• India’s push for local semiconductor design via the India Semiconductor Mission includes RISC-V as a strategic focus.
• Countries like China, USA, and Europe encourage open-source chip designs to reduce dependence on proprietary architectures.

Cost-Effective and Flexible

• No licensing costs compared to ARM or x86
• Highly customizable for niche applications such as industrial IoT, AI accelerators, and automotive systems

Ecosystem Growth

• Hundreds of companies building RISC-V IP blocks
• Rich ecosystem of open-source tools and projects enabling rapid prototyping

Sustainability
RISC-V enables efficient, low-power, and scalable processor designs—ideal for battery-operated edge devices.

Conclusion

Learning RISC-V for your next VLSI job is one of the smartest career decisions. As the industry shifts toward open-source architectures, flexibility, and AI-driven workflows, RISC-V plays a critical role in shaping the future of semiconductor design.

Professionals who master RISC-V, develop hands-on expertise in hardware-software co-design, contribute to open-source projects, and stay updated on evolving standards will stand out in the job market.

From SoC design engineers to embedded firmware developers and verification engineers, understanding and implementing RISC-V opens doors to cutting-edge projects and career growth across industries such as IoT, AI, and automotive electronics.

Invest in certifications, projects, and community contributions today, and position yourself at the forefront of the semiconductor revolution.