Hardware System Validation Engineer

Socket.dev; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a skilled System Validation Engineer to join the Hardware Engineering team in San Jose. You will validate system-level performance of Apple SoCs and key modules in realistic product-like environments, collaborating with IP teams to define and execute validation plans.

You will script automated tests, analyze test data across PVT corners, and help triage issues to improve product operation voltages. Travel ~10% internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems.
• Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks.
• Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with IP teams to define validation plans and execute system tests across prototypes.
• Triage issues and diagnose root causes, acting as first line debugger.
• Characterize lvcc voltages under workloads and provide feedback to product engineers.
• Develop test methodologies to expand coverage, including AI/ML data analytics.
• Travel internationally ~10%.

Skills

Python scripting

Automation frameworks

Hardware/software architecture

SoC validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Thermal chambers

Job description

Join the system validation team at Apple's Hardware Engineering, where we validate system-level performance of Apple SoCs and other key modules (cameras, displays, and other state-of-the-art sensors) in a system environment that mirrors real product use.

DESCRIPTION

• Work closely with functional test writers to understand high level architectures of each IP blocks within Apple SoCs and define applicable validation plans. You will then execute such system tests, through scripts/automation framework, on large volume of prototype SoCs across Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) corners.
• Looking for any potential issues, as well as characterizing the functional voltage (lvcc) of SoCs under such workloads. When issue occurs, you will be the first line of debugger to triage issues and isolate/bucketize failures.
• Work with domain experts to define DoEs, come up with root cause theories, and test possible workarounds. In addition, you will characterize functional voltages (lvcc) of SoCs under system workloads, analyze data across voltage domains, provide feedbacks to PE (product engineers) to define product operation voltages as well as recommend contents to testing/screening environment.
• Develop and execute these system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles.
• Creation of new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing.
• Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems. Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics.
• Travel internationally ~10% of the time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems
• Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks
• Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with SoC bring up, familiar with computer architectures (cache, memory hierarchy, data pipelines) and logic design
• Experience in silicon validation software engineering or related field
• Experience with embedded system debug
• Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and thermal chambers
• Strong proficiency in Python and Lua; proficient in Shell scripting
• Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.)
• General software development experience (Python, C++, log review, code review)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills