SoC Validation Engineer

AST SpaceMobile; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile in Edinburgh seeks a SoC Validation Engineer to join the Silicon Team. You will lead hands-on validation of next‑generation silicon, from FPGA prototypes to pre‑silicon bring‑up, ensuring performance and reliability.

You will collaborate with System Definition, IC Design, Software and Hardware teams, developing test plans and automation to improve coverage; strong scripting skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in silicon validation or related engineering role.
• Hands-on with lab equipment like spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes.
• Proficient in Python, Perl, C or C++ for tooling and automation.
• Strong communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with System Definition and IC Design teams to ensure devices are specified with optimal ball placement and external component selection to meet PCB technology and overall system requirements.
• Define and specify laboratory equipment and infrastructure required to effectively test and validate devices.
• Perform validation bring‑up using FPGA prototypes prior to IC manufacture.
• Define comprehensive validation test plans to validate IC performance either standalone or within a wider system, covering hardware, software, and RF aspects.
• Execute manual bring‑up and planned validation test activities, including fault isolation and debug.
• Define, develop, and implement regression and automation procedures to improve validation efficiency and coverage.
• Produce clear and concise validation reports for technical review and sign‑off.
• Support board‑level bring‑up and debug activities in collaboration with hardware and software teams.

Skills

Python

Perl

C

C++

Lab equipment

Education

BEng in Electrical Engineering

Tools

FPGA Prototypes

Spectrum Analyzers

Network Analyzers

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

Position Overview

We are seeking a SoC Validation Engineer. The Silicon Team in Edinburgh is a small, highly focused group responsible for developing high‑value silicon that is core to AST’s mission of “Connecting the unconnected”—delivering the world’s first space‑based mobile broadband network. The team works collaboratively to define and build next‑generation silicon, exploring advanced silicon technologies to continuously improve performance, capability, and efficiency. This is a hands‑on environment where silicon decisions directly impact AST’s ability to deliver a global communications network from space.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with System Definition and IC Design teams to ensure devices are specified with optimal ball placement and external component selection to meet PCB technology and overall system requirements.
• Define and specify laboratory equipment and infrastructure required to effectively test and validate devices.
• Perform validation bring‑up using FPGA prototypes prior to IC manufacture.
• Define comprehensive validation test plans to validate IC performance either standalone or within a wider system, covering hardware, software, and RF aspects.
• Execute manual bring‑up and planned validation test activities, including fault isolation and debug.
• Define, develop, and implement regression and automation procedures to improve validation efficiency and coverage.
• Produce clear and concise validation reports for technical review and sign‑off.
• Support board‑level bring‑up and debug activities in collaboration with hardware and software teams.

Education

BEng in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands‑on experience using laboratory equipment including spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers, and similar instrumentation.
• Practical experience with scripting or programming languages such as Python, Perl, C, or C++.
• Strong verbal communication and technical documentation skills.
• Experience working effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DSP, wireless communication systems, and SerDes technologies.
• Experience validating complex System‑on‑Chip (SoC) designs involving embedded software.
• Background knowledge of RF fundamentals, antennas, and communication theory.

Soft Skills

• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to collaborate closely with System Definition, IC Design, Software, hardware, and validation teams.

Technology Stack

• Laboratory validation equipment (spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers).
• FPGA prototypes for pre‑silicon validation.
• Python, Perl, C, C++.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office and laboratory environment and use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional travel may be required to visit suppliers, partners, or other AST SpaceMobile design centres.

This job description may not be inclusive of the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.