Lead Frontend Verification Architect for CPU Cores

SiFive; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Equity

Job summary

SiFive is seeking a senior verification engineer to lead frontend verification for high‑performance CPU cores. You will own verification planning, strategy, and execution for frontend microarchitecture including branch prediction and instruction fetch, with escalation to signoff readiness.

The role emphasizes mentoring, reusable DV infrastructure, and cross‑functional collaboration with architects. You will drive coverage, debug complex frontend issues, and guide teams across performance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS.
• 12+ years in CPU/core or SoC functional verification for principal level.
• 8+ years verifying memory management units in high‑performance CPU cores.
• Direct experience with out‑of‑order CPU core verification and CPU frontend verification.
• Deep expertise in frontend verification, especially branch prediction and instruction fetch.
• Strong knowledge of verification flow, test planning, stimulus, failure analysis, and coverage closure.
• Strong debugging skills and ability to translate architectural intent into verification strategy.
• Strong software and scripting fundamentals for scalable DV infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead verification planning and execution for CPU frontend functionality.
• Define verification strategy, test plans, checkers, scoreboards, and coverage models.
• Drive verification of branch prediction structures and fetch behavior.
• Collaborate with architects to review specs and improve frontend debugability.
• Oversee verification closure, coverage analysis, bug triage, and signoff readiness.
• Mentor engineers and shape reusable DV infrastructure for future cores.

Skills

Frontend verification

Branch prediction

Instruction fetch

DV infrastructure

Scripting (Python/Bash)

Mentoring

Debugging

CPU microarchitecture

Education

BS/MS/PhD in EE/CE/CS

Tools

Python

Shell scripting

C/C++

Job description

SiFive is seeking a senior verification engineer to lead frontend verification for high‑performance CPU cores. You will own verification planning, strategy, and execution for frontend microarchitecture including branch prediction and instruction fetch, with escalation to signoff readiness.

The role emphasizes mentoring, reusable DV infrastructure, and cross‑functional collaboration with architects. You will drive coverage, debug complex frontend issues, and guide teams across performance and