Pre-Silicon Validation Engineer

QFocus Technologies; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

QFocus Technologies seeks a versatile Software Engineer to join the AI Infrastructure Silicon Validation team. You will write test applications in C++ to validate AI silicon, set up tests on HW emulation platforms/FPGA, and debug issues across HW and SW stacks with logs and waveforms.

The role requires strong C++/OOP, embedded software experience, and familiarity with hardware emulation tools (Zebu, Palladium, Veloce) and Verilog/VHDL for waveform generation.

Qualifications

• Strong C++ & OOP skills for embedded software validation.
• Experience with pre-silicon validation and HW/SW debugging.
• Familiarity with hardware emulation tools (Zebu, Palladium, Veloce).
• Basic VHDL/Verilog for waveform generation.
• Proficient Linux cross-development and IDE usage.
• Ability to work autonomously on coding tasks.

Responsibilities

• Write validation software in C++ to verify AI silicon.
• Set up test execution on HW emulation platforms/FPGA.
• Debug HW/SW stack issues using logs and waveforms.
• Collaborate with distributed teams to deliver features.
• Maintain reusable validation test cases with OOP.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

C++ & OOP

Linux cross-development

Hardware emulation tools

Verilog/VHDL basics

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Zebu

Palladium

Veloce

Verdi

SimVision

Job description

Location: Austin, TX and Greater Chicago, IL

Company: QFocus Technologies

Domain: Embedded AI

Description

We are seeking a versatile and independent Software Engineer to join our AI Infrastructure Silicon Validation team. You will be a key member of the pre-silicon validation team with the charter of writing test cases, setting up test execution in a HW emulation platform/ FPGA, execute and debug deep technical issues in HW and SW stack by generating and analysing test outputs, logs and signal waveforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Write Validation Software: Design, implement, and maintain test applications in C++ to validate the performance and correctness of AI silicon.
• SDK & API Integration: Successfully integrate and utilize third-party SDKs and low-level APIs, to interact with GPU/AI accelerator hardware.
• Apply OOP Principles: Build reusable, modular, and easily maintainable validation test cases using modern object-oriented principles.
• Test & Debug: Identify hardware and software bugs, memory/cache and other HW induced performance issues as well as HW-SW integration edge/cases.

Soft-Skills

• Take ownership of assigned validation features from technical requirements through to delivery, debugging, and documentation with minimal supervision.
• Working with geographically distributed cross functional teams.

Required Technical Skills

• Strong C++ & OOP: Solid proficiency in Embedded C/C++ with a deep understanding of classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and memory management.
• Experience in developing and validating Embedded Software in pre-silicon environments.
• Experience with at least one of the Hardware emulation tools such as Zebu, Palladium or Veloce.
• Basic knowledge of VHDL/Verilog for generating test waveforms and w debugging.
• Proficient with cross and native development on Linux and IDEs, and cross-development tools.
• Proven track record of working autonomously to complete coding tasks, write clean test code, and troubleshoot issues.

Desired Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on experience working in fast-paced Chip Development projects.
• Verilog/VHDL RTL synthesis and System Verilog.
• Hands-on experience writing C/C++ test cases and Python Scripting.
• Familiarity with debugging tools (e.g., Verdi, SimVision) and waveform analysis is desirable.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering.