Security Diagnostics Software Engineer- Contract

Advanced Micro Devices; Markham; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD in Markham, Ontario is seeking a proactive Diagnostics Software Engineer to design and validate tests for security hardware IP across pre-silicon and post-silicon environments.

You will collaborate with hardware architects and firmware teams, develop AI-based test tools, and mentor juniors, bringing strong C/C++, Python, and cryptography experience to ensure robust, secure products from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in driver, embedded, or low-level software development, working closely with hardware designers
• Strong mix of large-scale software development, hardware understanding, and hardware/software interfacing
• Hands-on experience with silicon and board bring-up
• Familiarity with Linux; device driver or firmware development experience required
• Familiarity with source control systems (Perforce, Git, SVN)
• Strong debugging, testing, and communication skills
• Proven ability to develop and deploy AI/ML solutions that resolve real engineering problems - for example, automating test generation, hardware failure and log triage, debug assistance, or developer productivity tooling
• Hands-on knowledge of Python and modern AI/ML frameworks and tooling (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, LLM APIs and agent frameworks)
• Ability to integrate AI into day-to-day engineering and development workflows, with sound judgment on where AI adds value versus traditional methods
• A continuous learner who actively builds and applies new AI skills as the toolset evolves
• Experience with applied cryptography and security protocols such as AES, SHA, and RSA
• Knowledge of virtual memory and IOMMU
• Experience with firmware loading and communication
• Knowledge of System Verilog (a plus, not required)

Responsibilities

• Design and develop diagnostics software to bring up and validate security IP features in pre-silicon (FPGA, SoC emulation) and post-silicon (ASIC, platform) environments
• Plan, write, debug, and optimize functional and stress tests for AMD security hardware IP and its cryptographic acceleration engines
• Participate in APU/GPU silicon bring-up and execution across multiple concurrent programs
• Identify and help resolve ASIC, board, and firmware issues; provide diagnostics support to internal engineering teams and external customers
• Develop and deploy AI-based tools and workflows to accelerate test development, failure triage, and debug
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and drive improvements to the development process
• Dive into, understand, and debug external code and firmware

Skills

C/C++

Python

AI/ML

Linux

Cryptography

Debugging

AI tooling

Education

B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering

M.Sc. in Computer Engineering

Tools

Git/Perforce/SVN

SystemVerilog

Firmware debugging tools

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.

At AMD, we believe technology can change lives for the better. It can heal us, entertain us, and make us more connected, productive, and understanding of the world around us. And we’re looking for talent who feel the same: people who want to leave the planet better than they found it, those who don’t shy away from humanity’s challenges but are determined to help solve them.

AMD is powering the next generation of supercomputing, high-performance computing, cloud, and AI. Whether you’re designing next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, or creating go-to-market plans, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger — technology that moves the world forward.

Be part of the world's leading silicon team building the diagnostics that bring AMD's security hardware to life. You'll work in a high-energy environment alongside expert, diverse engineers, with real opportunities to grow your career and apply modern AI to hard engineering problems. Together we advance_

THE ROLE:

The Diagnostics team develops the software that brings up, validates, and qualifies AMD's security hardware IP across CPUs, GPUs, data center/AI accelerators, and gaming consoles. In this role you will plan, design, write, debug, and optimize functional and stress tests for AMD's security control hardware IP, including dedicated encryption/decryption acceleration engines used for CPU offload. You will work directly with hardware architects, logic designers, firmware teams, and customer-facing engineers to root-cause functional issues and close testing gaps from pre-silicon through production. We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter who is proactive, shares ideas, and can provide design verification leadership.

THE PERSON:

You are a proactive, hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex hardware and software challenges and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You take ownership of your work, communicate effectively across disciplines, and bring a strong debugging mindset to uncover and resolve difficult technical issues. Curious and continuously learning, you embrace new technologies, including AI-driven tools, to improve engineering efficiency and help deliver high-quality, secure products from concept through production.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and develop diagnostics software to bring up and validate security IP features in pre-silicon (FPGA, SoC emulation) and post-silicon (ASIC, platform) environments
• Plan, write, debug, and optimize functional and stress tests for AMD security hardware IP and its cryptographic acceleration engines
• Participate in APU/GPU silicon bring-up and execution across multiple concurrent programs
• Identify and help resolve ASIC, board, and firmware issues; provide diagnostics support to internal engineering teams and external customers
• Develop and deploy AI-based tools and workflows to accelerate test development, failure triage, and debug
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and drive improvements to the development process
• Dive into, understand, and debug external code and firmware

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience in driver, embedded, or low-level software development, working closely with hardware designers
• Proficient in C/C++ and object-oriented programming
• Strong mix of large-scale software development, hardware understanding, and hardware/software interfacing
• Hands-on experience with silicon and board bring-up
• Familiarity with Linux; device driver or firmware development experience required
• Familiarity with source control systems (Perforce, Git, SVN)
• Strong debugging, testing, and communication skills
• Proven ability to develop and deploy AI/ML solutions that resolve real engineering problems - for example, automating test generation, hardware failure and log triage, debug assistance, or developer productivity tooling
• Hands-on knowledge of Python and modern AI/ML frameworks and tooling (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, LLM APIs and agent frameworks)
• Ability to integrate AI into day-to-day engineering and development workflows, with sound judgment on where AI adds value versus traditional methods
• A continuous learner who actively builds and applies new AI skills as the toolset evolves
• Experience with applied cryptography and security protocols such as AES, SHA, and RSA
• Knowledge of virtual memory and IOMMU
• Experience with firmware loading and communication
• Knowledge of System Verilog (a plus, not required)

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.

LOCATION:

Markham, ON

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship

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Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.