Pre-si Power and Performance System Validation Engineer

Intel; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock bonuses

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Intel is seeking a SoC Power Thermal Performance Validation and Optimization Engineer to ensure power, thermal, and performance targets are met at the SoC level. You will develop validation methodologies, optimize hardware/software solutions, and perform SoC-level debugging to address power and performance challenges.

The role is part of Intel's Data Center Group (DCG) and the PTP PreSi Correlation Solution team, focusing on validating and optimizing next‑generation data center platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Electrical or Computer Engineering; master's preferred.
• 3+ years in SoC power and performance validation.
• 3+ years in Pre-Si simulation and emulation.
• Experience developing or optimizing power/performance KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute SoC-level power, thermal, and performance validation plans.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, firmware, and software teams.
• Validate hardware/software optimizations against KPIs.
• Perform SoC-level debug to resolve failures.
• Configure data loggers to collect thermal data.
• Maintain validation infrastructure and testing environments.
• Produce validation reports and communicate findings.
• Drive continuous improvements to validation methodologies.

Skills

SoC power validation

Thermal performance optimization

Python programming

RTL knowledge

Pre-Si simulation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzer

FPGA Emulation

JTAG Debuggers

Data Loggers

Job description

Job Details

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

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Experience listed below would be obtained through a combination of your school work/classes/research and/or relevant previous job and/or internship experiences.

Education

What we need to see (Minimum Qualifications):

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

• 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 design and architecture.
• Experience with performance modeling, benchmarking, and validation infrastructure setup.
• Debugging experience for SoC-level power, thermal, and performance failures.
• Familiarity with validation tools such as data loggers, behavioral checkers, and state space coverage techniques.
• Knowledge of hardware/software optimizations for power and performance.

Benefits At Intel

Our total rewards package goes above and beyond just a paycheck. Whether you're looking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals. Go to Intel Benefits | Intel Careers for details of benefits available to you. Intel reserves the right to modify, change or discontinue benefit plans at any time in its sole discretion.

Job Type

Experienced Hire

Shift

Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location

US, Texas, Austin

Additional Locations

US, California, Folsom, US, California, Santa Clara, US, Oregon, Hillsboro

Posting Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

N/A

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $122,440.00 - 232,190.00 USD

Work Model for this Role

This role will require an on‑site presence. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.