SoC Functional Validation Engineer

Sperton; Bristol; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

A leading semiconductor company is seeking an experienced SoC Functional Validation Engineer to perform functional validation and bring-up of next-generation System-on-Chip platforms. The role requires a strong background in validating high-end ARM-based SoCs and experience with high-speed interfaces like PCIe and LPDDR5. Candidates must excel in Embedded C validation techniques and possess strong debugging skills. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with various engineering teams and contribute to cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Embedded C for low-level validation and debug.
• Proven experience validating high-end ARM-based SoCs.
• Solid understanding of ARM cache-coherent interconnects and CPU subsystems.
• Hands-on validation of high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, LPDDR5, and HBM.
• Experience working on pre-silicon and post-silicon platforms.
• Strong debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and system-level issues.

Responsibilities

• Perform functional validation and bring-up of next-generation SoC platforms.
• Execute interface bring-up and validation across various high-speed interfaces.
• Develop and execute bare-metal C test cases for SoC validation.
• Debug and validate designs using FPGA-based HAPS / Zebu emulation platforms.
• Design and maintain validation test infrastructure and frameworks.
• Analyze failures, root-cause issues, and drive resolution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams.
• Support silicon bring-up milestones and contribute to documentation.

Skills

Embedded C

High-end ARM-based SoCs

PCIe

LPDDR5

HBM3

Python scripting

Job description

Sperton Global:

This assignment is managed by Sperton, responsible for sourcing, screening, and candidate evaluation. We manage the hiring process professionally on behalf of our customer.

Tasks

Location: Bristol, UK | Onsite initially (approx. 1 month), then Hybrid
Contract Duration: 12 Months (Extension review after 6 months)
Candidate Location: Europe & UK (must be open to travel)

Note: Candidates must hold a valid passport or visa allowing travel to the UK.

About the Role:

We are supporting a leading semiconductor innovator in hiring an experienced SoC Functional Validation Engineer to work on next-generation System-on-Chip platforms. This role focuses on functional validation and bring-up of complex SoCs featuring high-end ARM CPUs and advanced high-speed interfaces, from pre-silicon to post-silicon stages.

You will work closely with architecture, RTL, electrical characterization, and firmware teams to ensure first-time-right silicon readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform functional validation and bring-up of next-generation SoC platforms based on high-end ARM processors.
• Execute interface bring-up and validation across LPDDR, PCIe, Ethernet, HBM, CPUs, Coherent Mesh, and low-speed IOs (UART, I2C, I3C, SPI).
• Develop and execute bare-metal C test cases for SoC validation and debug.
• Debug and validate designs using FPGA-based HAPS / Zebu emulation platforms and transition to silicon-based target hardware.
• Design, enhance, and maintain validation test infrastructure and frameworks.
• Analyze failures, root-cause issues across hardware and firmware layers, and drive resolution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Architects, RTL Verification, Electrical Test & Characterization, and Production Firmware teams.
• Support silicon bring-up milestones, validation reviews, and readiness for production handoff.
  Contribute to documentation, validation plans, and best practices for SoC bring-up and debug.

Requirements

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Strong hands-on experience in Embedded C for low-level validation and debug.
• Proven experience validating high-end ARM-based SoCs.
• Solid understanding of ARM cache-coherent interconnects and CPU subsystems.
• Hands-on validation of high-speed interfaces such as PCIe (up to Gen6), LPDDR5, HBM3, and die-to-die links.
• Experience working on pre-silicon (emulation) and post-silicon (real hardware) platforms.
• Strong debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and system-level issues.

Desirable Skills:

• Python scripting for test automation and validation flows.
• Direct experience with silicon bring-up and early hardware validation.
• Development or debugging of high-speed interface device drivers.
• Experience in complex, multi-die or mesh-based SoC architectures.

Validate next-gen ARM-based SoCs, drive silicon bring-up, and work hands-on with cutting-edge high-speed interfaces in a global semiconductor program.