ISP Silicon Validation Engineer

Google; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a hardware-focused engineer to help validate custom silicon solutions. You will translate hardware specs into test suites, architect validation pipelines in C for baremetal environments, and dive into real-time and non-real-time accelerators to verify functionality and power.

You will collaborate with Architecture, RTL Design, and software teams to diagnose and fix complex issues. Strong C skills, embedded experience, and hands-on hardware interfacing are essential, along with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 1 year of experience in computer architecture and low-level hardware components.
• Experience programming in C for low-level embedded or baremetal work.
• Experience interfacing with hardware, interrupts, and registers.
• Scripting experience in Python or Bash for automation.

Responsibilities

• Translate hardware specs into test suites for pre- and post-silicon goals.
• Architect and write custom validation pipelines in C for baremetal environments.
• Deep-dive into micro-architecture of hardware accelerators and validate power and performance.
• Collaborate with Architecture, RTL Design, and software teams to fix hardware-software bugs.
• Develop validation frameworks to speed up testing and data collection.

Skills

C programming

Embedded systems

Python scripting

Hardware interfacing

Interrupt handling

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

JTAG

TRACE32

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Baremetal validation frameworks

Job description

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 1 year of experience in computer architecture, memory management, and low-level hardware components.
• Experience programming in C for low-level, embedded, microcontroller, or baremetal applications.
• Experience writing code to interface directly with hardware (e.g., handling interrupts, reading/writing registers, or manipulating peripherals).
• Experience in scripting (e.g., Python, Bash) for script automation or analytical data collection.

Preferred qualifications:

• 3 years of professional experience in low-level firmware, baremetal custom embedded systems, or silicon validation.
• Experience developing, testing, and debugging on pre-silicon emulation or post-silicon lab environments.
• Experience working directly with specialized hardware accelerators (Real-time or Non-real-time) or processing pipelines.
• Familiarity with hardware debug hooks (JTAG, TRACE32) and basic lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Practical exposure to pure baremetal validation frameworks, custom firmware, or lightweight RTOS layers.
• Strong software development practices (e.g., clean, modular coding, version control with Git, pipeline optimization).

About the job

Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our team combines the best of Google AI, Software, and Hardware to create radically helpful experiences. We research, design, and develop new technologies and hardware to make computing faster, seamless, and more powerful. We aim to make people's lives better through technology.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $116000 - $165000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Translate hardware specifications into test suites, executing them thoroughly across both pre-silicon emulation and post-silicon hardware goals. Execute pipelines, debug failures, and collect data with guided supervision.
• Architect and write custom validation pipelines primarily in C, executed natively inside baremetal environments to probe the hardware directly.
• Deep-dive into the micro-architecture of real-time and non-real-time hardware accelerators, validating their functionality, performance throughput, and power footprints.
• Partner directly with Architecture, RTL Design, and downstream Software teams to trace, reproduce, and conquer hardware-software boundary bugs.
• Develop analytical scripts and validation frameworks to speed up the testing pipeline and ensure robust data collection.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy, Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal, Belonging at Google, and How we hire.

If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.