CPU validation

We are seeking a highly skilled Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to join our CPU design and validation team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for validating and verifying the functionality, performance, and reliability of CPU hardware after silicon fabrication. This role involves close collaboration with pre-silicon, firmware, software, and manufacturing teams to identify and debug silicon issues, improve test coverage, and ensure the CPU meets design specifications and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive post-silicon validation plans and test cases for CPU hardware.
• Perform functional, performance, power, and reliability testing on silicon prototypes.
• Collaborate with design, verification, firmware, and software teams to debug silicon issues using tools such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG, and embedded trace.
• Analyze test failures, generate detailed bug reports, and drive issues to closure.
• Develop automation scripts and tools to enhance test coverage and efficiency.
• Validate CPU features including cores, caches, memory subsystems, interconnects, and power management.
• Support bring-up and production ramp of silicon with manufacturing and yield teams.
• Provide feedback to pre-silicon teams to improve design and verification quality.
• Document test plans, methodologies, and validation results.
• Stay current with CPU architecture, industry standards, and validation methodologies.

Primary Skills

• Strong understanding of CPU microarchitecture and components (cores, caches, memory controllers, interconnects).
• Experience with post-silicon validation methodologies and tools.
• Proficiency in hardware debugging tools (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG).
• Strong scripting skills in Python, Perl, TCL, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with embedded software/firmware and low-level software debugging.
• Knowledge of performance and power analysis techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Secondary Skills

• Ability to analyze complex hardware issues and collaborate across multiple teams.
• Experience working in cross-functional environments.
• Exposure to system-level validation and integration.
• Understanding of silicon bring-up and production ramp processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience with CPU or SoC post-silicon validation.
• Exposure to CPU pre-silicon verification methodologies.
• Familiarity with CPU instruction set architectures (ISA) such as x86, ARM, RISC-V.
• Knowledge of manufacturing test and yield improvement.
• Experience working in Agile or Scrum development environments.