Principal Systems Validation Engineer

MaxLinear, Inc.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MaxLinear, Inc. in Singapore is looking for a PCI-Express Validation Expert to lead pre- and post-silicon validation for high-speed storage accelerators. The successful candidate will drive end-to-end PCIe validation and ensure compliance with PCIe standards across multiple generations.

The ideal candidate must have over 12 years of experience and a deep understanding of the PCIe protocol stack. Responsibilities include defining validation strategies, leading testing processes, and collaborating with various engineering teams.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in silicon validation or system validation with a strong focus on PCIe.
• Hands-on experience with high-speed Serdes tuning and validation methodologies.
• Experience with system validation in a complex SoC (System on Chip) environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead PCIe validation strategy and execution across pre-silicon and post-silicon phases.
• Define coverage plans including protocol, link, PHY, power management.
• Drive PCI-SIG compliance testing and ensure interoperability with server CPUs.

Skills

Silicon validation

Debugging skills

C/C++ Programming

PCIe protocol understanding

Education

Bachelor or Master's Degree in Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

PCIe analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly experienced PCI-Express (PCIe) Validation Expert to lead pre- and post-silicon validation efforts for high-speed storage accelerators. In this role, you will drive end-to-end PCIe validation, ensuring high-performance, standards compliance (PCIe Gen3/Gen4/Gen5 where applicable), and robust interoperability across a wide ecosystem. You will work cross-functionally with architecture, design, firmware, PHY, and system teams to define validation strategies, root-cause complex issues, and deliver high-quality silicon to production. You will focus on:

• Own PCIe validation strategy and execution for the Storage Accelerator products across pre-silicon and post-silicon phases
• Define coverage plans including protocol, link, PHY, power management, and compliance scenarios
• Lead PCIe link bring-up, training, and tuning across multiple generations (Gen3/4/5/6)
• Perform deep debug using protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Drive PCI-SIG compliance testing including electrical and protocol validation
• Ensure interoperability with server CPUs from leading manufacturers
• Develop and enhance automation frameworks (Python, C/C++) for validation scalability
• Own and manage Functional Circuit Test (FCT) and In-Circuit Test (ICT) processes
• Lead RMA analysis and work closely with customers and manufacturing teams to resolve board-level issues
• Work closely with Architecture, Design, Software and Signal integrity teams
• Coordinate Test program and test automation scripts development
• Coaching Junior Engineering staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree or Master’s and above in Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or related field with at least 12 years or above of working experience in silicon validation or system validation with strong PCIe focus
• Experienced with system validation in complex SoC (System on Chip) environment
• Deep understanding of: PCIe protocol stack (Transaction, Data Link, Physical layers), PCIe power management, Link training and equalization
• Hands-on experience with PCIe analysers. Scopes and signal integrity tools
• Strong debugging skills in Hardware/Software co-debug
• Experience with high speed Serdes tuning and validation methodologies
• Familiar with system board design/debugging and usage of lab equipment like Oscilloscope and Logic analyzer
• Good understanding in high-speed interface system/electrical verification & validation
• Experience of C/C++ Programming and other test script development languages
• In depth expertise of PCIe Gen3/Gen4/Gen5
• Storage/Networking domain expertise is highly desirable
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art data compression and cryptographic algorithms