Principal Design Verification Architect

MRL Consulting Group Ltd.; California (MO); On-site; Full time

Job description

A semiconductor startup based in Sunnyvale, CA is developing next-generation graphics processors focused on delivering exceptional performance and efficiency. The company embraces a first-principles engineering mindset and is motivated by a mission to make immersive content creation, simulation, and consumption more accessible to everyone. Its culture values bold thinking, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving in pursuit of ambitious technical goals.

The company is seeking a Principal Design Verification Engineer to lead verification strategy and execution across complex IPs and full-chip SoCs. This role involves building and mentoring a high-performing DV team, defining end-to-end verification methodologies from block to full-chip level, and driving coverage closure and signoff readiness. Responsibilities include leading UVM-based verification environments, developing scalable testbench architectures, overseeing regression infrastructure, and managing advanced verification flows including GLS, low-power verification, formal verification, linting, and CDC/RDC analysis.

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, along with 12–15 years of ASIC/SoC verification experience and a proven record of leading teams through multiple tapeouts. Strong expertise in SystemVerilog, UVM, constrained-random verification, assertions (SVA), and debugging complex SoC-level issues is required, along with hands-on experience using tools such as Synopsys VCS, Cadence Xcelium, and Verdi. A deep understanding of CDC/RDC methodologies, low-power verification, gate-level simulation, and SDF annotation is also essential.

Preferred qualifications include experience with CPU, GPU, AI, or networking SoCs, familiarity with emulation platforms such as Synopsys ZeBu, and experience supporting post-silicon validation and bring-up. Additional strengths include GLS debugging expertise, performance verification knowledge, and scripting skills in Python or Tcl for automation and regression scaling. The role requires strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with close interaction across RTL, physical design, and post-silicon teams to ensure successful silicon delivery.