SoC Validation/FPGA Engineer (Tech Staff Engineer)

Microchip Technology Inc.; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. in Ireland is seeking an experienced SoC Validation Engineer to lead silicon bring‑up, system validation, and debug of advanced FPGA and SoC products.

You will work cross‑functionally with hardware, firmware, and architecture teams to deliver robust, high‑quality silicon solutions. This role suits engineers who enjoy tackling complex validation challenges, developing embedded software, and driving root‑cause analysis from lab tests to production environments, with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering with 12+ years of experience.
• Strong background in FPGA/SoC architectures, silicon validation, and system-level debug.
• Experience developing embedded software in C/C++ and bare-metal firmware for ARM Cortex‑M and RISC‑V.

Responsibilities

• Lead SoC validation, silicon bring‑up, and system‑level debug activities.
• Develop validation plans, diagnostic software, and bare‑metal firmware for ARM Cortex‑M and RISC‑V platforms.
• Debug complex hardware, firmware, and system interactions using lab equipment and tools.
• Validate interfaces and subsystems including PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C, UART, timers, and watchdogs.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, verification, firmware, and physical design teams.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and resolution of issues in simulation, emulation, FPGA prototypes, and silicon.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical excellence across the team.
• Leverage automation and AI‑assisted development tools to improve validation efficiency and productivity.

Skills

FPGA/SoC architectures

Embedded software in C/C++

System-level debug

Lab instrumentation

Verilog/VHDL

JTAG/IEEE 1532

Strong communication

Education

Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Protocol analyzers

FPGA debug tools

Git/Jira/Confluence

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

Shape the Next Generation of FPGA and SoC Technology

We are seeking an experienced SoC Validation Engineer to lead silicon bring‑up, system validation, and debug activities for advanced FPGA and SoC products. Working across hardware, firmware, and system architecture teams, you will drive features from prototype through production, ensuring robust, high‑quality solutions for our customers.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, developing embedded software, and uncovering root causes in both lab and silicon environments.

What You’ll Do

• Lead SoC validation, silicon bring‑up, and system‑level debug activities.
• Develop validation plans, diagnostic software, and bare‑metal firmware for ARM Cortex‑M and RISC‑V platforms.
• Debug complex hardware, firmware, and system interactions using industry‑standard lab equipment and tools.
• Validate key interfaces and subsystems including PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C, UART, timers, and watchdogs.
• Collaborate closely with architecture, RTL, verification, firmware, and physical design teams.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and resolution of issues discovered in simulation, emulation, FPGA prototypes, and silicon.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical excellence across the team.
• Leverage automation and AI‑assisted development tools to improve validation efficiency and productivity.

Requirements/Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering with 12+ years
• Strong background in FPGA/SoC architectures, silicon validation, and system‑level debug.
• Experience developing embedded software in C/C++ and bare‑metal firmware for ARM Cortex‑M and RISC‑V processors.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and FPGA debug tools.
• Knowledge of JTAG, SVF, IEEE 1532, STAPL, and common embedded peripherals and interfaces.
• Familiarity with Verilog/VHDL and FPGA development flows.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for quality engineering.

Preferred

• High‑speed SERDES bring‑up and debug experience.
• Knowledge of PCIe Gen3/4/5, Ethernet, USB 3.x, JESD204C, Interlaken, or related protocols.
• Experience with Git, Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence, Perl, or Tcl.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted engineering.

Why Join Us?

You’ll work at the forefront of FPGA and SoC innovation, tackling challenging validation problems and helping bring cutting‑edge silicon products to market. This role offers exceptional technical breadth across hardware, firmware, system validation, and high‑speed interfaces, with strong opportunities for growth and technical leadership.

Travel Time

0% - 25%

To all recruitment agencies: Microchip Technology Inc. does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our recruiting team or other Microchip employees. Microchip is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.