Power & Performance Systems Validation Engineer

AMD; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD in Folsom, CA is seeking a Technical Lead Systems Design Engineer to drive post-silicon validation of CPU power, performance and thermal behavior. You will lead validation plans, analyze workloads, and build automation to support product milestones.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in post-silicon validation, deep CPU architecture knowledge, and strong scripting skills (Python, Shell, Perl, or C/C++). This role offers strong collaboration across teams and opportunities for innovation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in post-silicon validation or CPU power/performance analysis.
• Strong CPU architecture knowledge (cores, memory hierarchy, DVFS, power/thermal management).
• Hands-on experience with silicon validation, lab measurement, and debug.
• Experience with benchmarking and workload analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, Shell, Perl, or C/C++.
• Understanding of system interactions (silicon, firmware/BIOS, OS).
• Strong debugging, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead post-silicon validation of CPU Power, Performance, and thermal behavior.
• Develop and execute validation plans for Power Management, frequency scaling, and thermal controls.
• Analyze workloads to identify bottlenecks and efficiency issues.
• Correlate silicon data with pre-silicon models and product targets; track metrics such as performance/watt, power states, frequency, and thermal behavior.
• Debug performance, power, and thermal issues across hardware/firmware/OS boundaries.
• Build automation for data collection, analysis, and regression detection.
• Improve validation methodologies, benchmarks, and stress tests.
• Deliver actionable insights to cross-functional teams and support bring-up and product milestones.

Skills

Post-silicon validation

CPU architecture

Benchmarking

Scripting languages

Lab measurement

OS/firmware interaction

Debugging

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in EE/CE/CS

10+ years experience

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Power analyzers

Performance counters

Firmware/BIOS tools

Job description

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. ADVANCE THE WORLD.

At AMD, we believetechnology has the power to solve the world’s most important challenges. From advancing healthcare and scientific discovery to powering AI and the technologies people rely on every day, innovation at AMDis shapingthefuture.

Whetheryou’redesigning next-gen processors, enabling AI breakthroughs, orbringing leading edge products to market, every role at AMD contributes to something bigger— technologythat moves the world forward.Join us and, together, we’ll advance your career.

THE ROLE:

We are looking for a dynamic, energetic Technical LeadSystems Design Engineer to join our growing team. As a key contributor to the success of AMD’s product, you will be part of a leading team to drive and improve AMD’s abilities to deliver the highest quality, industry-leading technologies to market. The Systems Design Engineering team fosters and encourages continuous technical innovation to showcase successes as well as facilitate continuous career development.

THE PERSON:

As a Technical Leader in Systems Design Engineering, you will drive balanced, scalable, and automated post-silicon thermal solutions. In this high visibility position, your CPU Power and Performance systems engineering expertise will be necessary towardsproduct development, definition, and root cause resolution.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Lead post-silicon validation of CPU Power, Performance, and thermal behavior.
• Develop and execute validation plans for Power Management, frequency scaling, and thermal controls.
• Analyze workloads to identify bottlenecks and efficiency issues.
• Correlate silicon data with pre-silicon models and product targets; track metrics such as performance/watt, power states, frequency, and thermal behavior.
• Debug performance, power, and thermal issues across hardware/firmware/OS boundaries.
• Build automation for data collection, analysis, and regression detection.
• Improve validation methodologies, benchmarks, and stress tests.
• Deliver actionable insights to cross-functional teams and support bring-up and product milestones.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years in post-silicon validation or CPU power/performance analysis.
• Strong CPU architecture knowledge (cores, memory hierarchy, DVFS, power/thermal management).
• Hands-on experience with silicon validation, lab measurement, and debug.
• Experience with benchmarking and workload analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, Shell, Perl, or C/C++.
• Understanding of system interactions (silicon, firmware/BIOS, OS).
• Strong debugging, communication, and collaboration skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with CPU power/performance validation (client or server).
• Familiarity with DVFS, turbo/boost, clock/power gating, and thermal control.
• Experience with lab tools (oscilloscopes, logic/power analyzers, performance counters).
• Knowledge of firmware/BIOS, microcode, and platform bring-up.
• Experience with Linux/Windows performance analysis and profiling tools.
• Background in automation frameworks or data analysis (statistical/ML a plus).

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in EE, CE, CS, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience.

LOCATION:

Folsom, CA

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.