Engineer II - Validation (Systems)

FHLB Des Moines; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits from day one

Retirement savings plans

RSUs and quarterly bonus

IESPP program

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. seeks a System Validation Engineer in Data Center Solutions to join a team of engineers responsible for bring-up, integration, and validation of SoCs for storage controllers and NVMe products.

You will build prototype ecosystems, develop test plans based on PCIe/CXL/NVMe standards, execute pre- and post-silicon tests, and mentor junior engineers while expanding validation infrastructure and automation.

Qualifications

• Candidate has 3–10 years of silicon/SoC validation experience.
• Ability to develop and execute functional validation tests and scripts.
• Experience with lab environments and test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Integrate prototype SOC hardware and firmware into a complete solution for functional testing and firmware development.
• Develop, execute, and document feature tests to validate SoC operation and HW blocks.
• Work with FPGA emulation platforms and prototype ICs/SoCs.
• Build and maintain validation infrastructure (boards, FPGAs, embedded software, drivers, test benches).
• Develop block, subsystem and system level test firmware and scripts; integrate into automation suites.
• Run tests and investigate issues in lab environments on-site and remotely.
• Lead technical activities and mentor junior engineers; grow the validation team.
• Incorporate AI-based tools to improve testing efficiency.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Linux

Debugging

System validation

ASIC/SoC validation

FPGAs

Hardware testing

Scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (optional)

Tools

FPGA design tools

VHDL/Verilog

Test automation tools

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc. People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip’s nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values‑based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it’s won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence. Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you. Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description:

Microchip’s Data Center Solutions (DCS) Business Unit delivers industry-leading performance, reliability, and security through its portfolio of Storage Controllers, Memory Controllers, NVMe SSD Controllers, PCIe Switches, and SAS Expanders. These products are widely used in Cloud Storage, Compute Data Centers, and Storage Area Networks, supporting the backbone of modern data infrastructure. As a System Validation Engineer, you will join a team of highly skilled system integrators responsible for the bring‑up, integration, and validation of cutting‑edge System on a Chip (SoC) products for the DCS Business Unit. In this role, you will design and build the infrastructure required to integrate and validate SoCs for their intended use models. This includes developing the entire prototype ecosystem, such as boards, FPGAs, firmware, software, and automation suites, and further integrating these environments with internally developed test equipment, protocol analyzers, exercisers, and x86‑based hardware. A key part of your responsibilities will be to develop comprehensive test plans by leveraging design specifications, marketing requirements, and newly drafted industry standards, including PCIe, CXL, DDR4/5, NVMe, SAS, SATA, and NAND flash. Using the validation infrastructure and these test plans, you will create and execute both pre‑ and post‑silicon tests that thoroughly exercise the prototype SoC and embedded firmware, ensuring robust performance and reliability. The primary skills required for this position include the ability to develop and integrate complex systems, as well as strong capabilities in testing, debugging, and problem‑solving. On the job, you will gain an in‑depth understanding of relevant protocol specifications, IP design, and SoC architecture, becoming adept at isolating issues and finding effective solutions. This role offers an excellent opportunity to expand your domain knowledge and become an expert in these advanced technology fields. The validation work environment at Microchip encourages close collaboration with other groups, including design, firmware, pre‑silicon emulation, verification, and applications teams. Additionally, there are prospects for job rotation or internal transfers, providing a dynamic and growth‑oriented career path within the company.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Integrating prototype SOC HW and FW into a complete solution. This includes working with emulation platforms, proto ICs, validation boards, FW and SW to bring an entire system level solution to life and enable functional testing and FW development.
• Develop, execute, and document a series of feature tests that will fully validate the operation of the SoC and its various functional HW blocks and FW to ensure all components and the overall SoC is functioning per design specs, achieves expected performance and meets industry requirements and standards.
• Working with pre‑silicon FGPA based emulation platforms and prototype (post‑silicon) ICs/SOCs.
• Building and maintaining validation infrastructure through the development of boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers and test bench scripts.
• Developing block, subsystem and system level test FW and scripts, and further integrating them in to best‑in‑class test automation suites.
• Running tests and conducting investigations in a lab environment on‑site and remotely.
• Finding and reporting bugs.
• Working with cross expertise teams to isolate, investigate and solve them.
• Learning and dynamically applying knowledge of the device, system, protocols and industry standards.
• Effectively presenting technical information to small teams of engineers.
• Leading technical activities in your area of expertise and mentoring junior engineers.
• Helping grow and train the validation team.
• Integrating AI‑based tools to improve testing efficiency.
• The role and responsibilities will grow with the individual candidate’s skills and interests.

Requirements/Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. 3–10 years of relevant silicon / SoC validation experience (pre- and/or post-silicon). Prior experience in validation or testing is a strong asset. Ability to develop and execute functional validation tests and necessary validation software and scripts. Experience working in lab environment and knowledge of relevant test equipment. Experience in debug and investigations in the lab environment. Strong knowledge of digital system and computer architecture. Strong knowledge of Data Communication and Digital Design theory. Strong knowledge of scripting language such as Python or Tcl/Tk, proficiency in C/C++ programming. Familiarity with PCIe, CXL, DDR, I2C, SPI protocols is an asset. Hands‑on hardware experience with x86 based systems. Experience working in Linux and Windows based OS environments. Thorough knowledge of circuit theory and high‑speed signal fundamentals. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Ability to quickly learn new technologies, protocols and standards. Team player working well with peers and cross functional groups. Strong communications and interpersonal skills.

Desired Qualification:

• Experience developing and debugging MIPS or Arm based architecture.
• Programing FW in C/C++.
• Working knowledge of protocols like: PCIe, CXL, DDR, NVMe, ONFI, SAS, SATA I2C, SPI and protocol trace debugging.
• Experience testing and debugging high-speed SERDES.
• Linux OS architecture, distributions and kernel knowledge.
• Linux or Windows host drivers development.
• Knowledge of FPGAs layout tools and VHDL/Verilog coding.
• Familiarity with FPGA based emulation environments.
• Experience in high-speed digital designs, board designs, PCB layouts, signal integrity concepts and manufacturing process.
• Threadx or RTOS knowledge.

Travel Time:

0% - 25%

Pay Range:

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading IESPP program with a 6‑month look back feature. The annual base salary range for this position is $76,000-$114,000.*

Benefits of working at Microchip

Find more information about all our benefits at the link below: Benefits of working at Microchip