Pre-si Power and Performance System Validation Engineer

Intel; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Intel is seeking a SoC Power Thermal Performance Validation and Optimization Engineer to ensure power, thermal, and performance targets at the SoC level. You will develop validation methodologies, optimize hardware/software solutions, and debug critical issues to deliver high‑performance products.

Join Intel's DCG and the PTP PreSi Correlation Solution team to shape validation processes, drive improvements, and communicate findings across architecture, design, firmware, software, and platform

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer engineering, or related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in SoC power and performance validation.
• 3+ years of experience in Pre-Si simulation and emulation.
• 3+ years of experience developing and/or optimization of power/performance KPI's.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute SoC-level power, thermal, and performance validation and optimization plans across Intel products.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, firmware, and software teams to ensure power, thermal, and performance meet competitive targets and specifications.
• Establish and execute methodologies for validating hardware/software optimizations and ensure alignment with business KPIs.
• Perform SoC-level debug to identify root causes and resolve functional and triage failures related to power, thermal, and performance.
• Configure and set up data loggers to collect and analyze thermal data.
• Develop and maintain validation infrastructure, including performance monitors, behavioral checkers, and testing environments.
• Produce comprehensive validation reports summarizing activities and results, and communicate findings effectively to relevant teams.
• Drive continuous improvements to validation strategies, methodologies, and processes.

Skills

SoC power validation

SoC performance optimization

Pre-Si simulation

Emulation debugging

Python programming

JTAG debugging

RTL knowledge

FPGA prototyping

Data logger setup

Education

Bachelor's in electrical, computer engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

RTL language

In-circuit emulation

FPGA fast prototyping

Python

Job description

Intel is shaping the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world. Our work in pushing forward fields like AI, analytics, and cloud-to-edge technology is at the heart of countless innovations. With a career at Intel, you'll have the opportunity to use technology to power major breakthroughs and create enhancements that improve our everyday quality of life. Join us and help make the future more wonderful for everyone.

Life at Intel

The Role and Impact

As a SoC Power Thermal Performance Validation and Optimization Engineer, you will play an essential role in ensuring Intel's products achieve optimal power, thermal, and performance benchmarks at the system-on-chip (SoC) level. In this position, you will develop and execute validation methodologies, optimize hardware/software solutions, and perform SoC-level debugging to address power, thermal, and performance challenges. Your contribution will directly impact Intel's ability to deliver competitive, high-performing products to market.

Business Group

This role is part of Intel's Data Center Group (DCG), which focuses on designing innovative solutions to power the next generation of computing platforms for data centers. As a member of the PTP PreSi Correlation Solution team, you will contribute to shaping the development and validation processes for cutting-edge technologies, ensuring Intel meets and exceeds industry standards for performance and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute SoC-level power, thermal, and performance validation and optimization plans across Intel products.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, firmware, and software teams to ensure power, thermal, and performance meet competitive targets and specifications.
• Establish and execute methodologies for validating hardware/software optimizations and ensure alignment with business KPIs.
• Perform SoC-level debug to identify root causes and resolve functional and triage failures related to power, thermal, and performance.
• Configure and set up data loggers to collect and analyze thermal data.
• Develop and maintain validation infrastructure, including performance monitors, behavioral checkers, and testing environments.
• Produce comprehensive validation reports summarizing activities and results, and communicate findings effectively to relevant teams.
• Drive continuous improvements to validation strategies, methodologies, and processes.

Well qualified candidates should possess the following behavioral traits

• Strong analytical and problem-solving aptitude.
• Effective communication and documentation skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work across team in multi-faceted groups (architecture, design, verification, firmware, software, and platform teams.)

Qualifications

Education

Bachelors in electrical, Computer Engineering, or related field. A master's degree is preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in SoC power and performance validation.
• 3+ years of experience in Pre-Si simulation and emulation.
• 3+ years of experience developing and / or optimization of power/performance KPI's.

Technical Skills (2+ Years of experience in each)

• Debugging experience for SoC-level power, thermal, and performance failures.
• Knowledge of hardware/software optimizations for power and performance.
• Experience of silicon verification, test program development and test plan execution.
• Knowledge of RTL language, in-circuit emulation and FPGA fast prototyping is an advantage.
• Experience with Python Programming language.

How to Stand out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Graduate degree (Masters or PhD).
• Knowledge of DSP, ETHERNET, and 3G/4G/5G.
• 2+ years' experience in SoC FPGA/Emulation function.
• 2+ years' experience with System (SoC) level debug using JTAG debuggers.
• 1+ year experience in Pre-Si functional design, validation, and/or HW/FW/SW integration.
• 1+ year experience on major Pre-Si platforms: logic simulation, virtual platform, FPGA, and/or emulation.
• Expertise in system-level power management of real-time processors and systems.
• Understand MIPI MPHY, JTAG, DDR, PCIe/USB/PCI-E/ETHERNET/SPMI bus protocol.
• Familiarity with validation tools such as data loggers, behavioral checkers, and state space coverage techniques.
• Familiar with system board design/debugging and usage of lab equipment like Oscilloscope and Logic analyzer.
• Knowledge of AI accelerators systems including GFX, NPU, NPP de