Principal Engineer - Validation (Systems)

Microchip Technology; Roseville (CA); On-site; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. is seeking a hands-on Principal System Validation Engineer to own silicon bring-up, system integration, and validation of next-generation SoCs within a fast-paced data center solutions environment.

You will design validation infrastructure, develop test plans, and drive debugging across hardware, firmware, and system levels. The role involves working with prototype ICs, validation boards, FPGAs, and lab equipment, and requires collaboration with cross-functional teams

Qualifications

• 10 years of silicon/SoC validation experience (pre- and/or post-silicon).
• Strong programming and scripting skills in C/C++ and Python (or Tcl).
• Solid hands-on lab experience with high-speed test equipment: oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, etc.
• Demonstrated SoC system-level debug skills across firmware, hardware, schematics, PCB, and FPGA environments.
• Strong foundation in data communications theory and high-speed signal fundamentals.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Proven ability to work independently on test plan development and execution while collaborating effectively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Integrating prototype SoC hardware and firmware into a complete system solution using emulation platforms, validation boards, firmware, and software to enable functional testing and firmware development.
• Developing, executing, and documenting feature-level tests to validate SoC hardware blocks, firmware, and overall system operation against design specs, performance targets, and industry standards.
• Working with pre-silicon emulation platforms and post-silicon prototype ICs/SoCs.
• Building and maintaining validation infrastructure including boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers, and test scripts.
• Developing block, subsystem, and system-level test firmware/scripts and integrating them into automated test suites.
• Leading technical activities in your area of expertise and mentoring junior engineers.
• Running complex tests and investigations in the lab, both on-site and remotely.
• Integrating AI-based tools to improve testing efficiency.
• Identifying and reporting bugs, then collaborating with cross-functional teams to isolate, investigate, and resolve them.
• Continuously learning and applying knowledge of the device, system, protocols, and industry standards.
• Helping grow and train the validation team.
• Presenting technical information effectively to internal and external audiences.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Lab testing

SoC validation

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Protocol analyzers

Logic analyzers

FPGAs

Device drivers

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc.

People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip's nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values ; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it's won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence.

Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you.

Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description:

Microchip's Data Center Solutions (DCS) team delivers high-performance Storage Controllers, NVMe SSD Controllers, PCIe Switches, and SAS Expanders used in cloud storage and enterprise data centers. We are looking for a hands-on Principal System Validation Engineer to join our team in Roseville and take ownership of silicon bring-up, system integration, and validation of next-generation SoCs.

This role is expected to design and build validation infrastructure, develop test plans, execute complex tests on prototype silicon and firmware, and drive debugging across hardware, firmware, and system levels. Also, the role will work directly with prototype ICs, validation boards, FPGAs, protocol analyzers, and lab equipment in a fast-paced lab environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrating prototype SoC hardware and firmware into a complete system solution using emulation platforms, validation boards, firmware, and software to enable functional testing and firmware development.
• Developing, executing, and documenting feature-level tests to validate SoC hardware blocks, firmware, and overall system operation against design specs, performance targets, and industry standards.
• Working with pre-silicon emulation platforms and post-silicon prototype ICs/SoCs.
• Building and maintaining validation infrastructure including boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers, and test scripts.
• Developing block, subsystem, and system-level test firmware/scripts and integrating them into automated test suites.
• Leading technical activities in your area of expertise and mentoring junior engineers.
• Running complex tests and investigations in the lab, both on-site and remotely.
• Integrating AI-based tools to improve testing efficiency.
• Identifying and reporting bugs, then collaborating with cross-functional teams to isolate, investigate, and resolve them.
• Continuously learning and applying knowledge of the device, system, protocols, and industry standards.
• Helping grow and train the validation team.
• Presenting technical information effectively to internal and external audiences.

The role will evolve based on your skills and interests, with opportunities for growth and impact on cutting-edge data center products.

Requirements/Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant silicon / SoC validation experience (pre- and/or post-silicon).
• Strong programming and scripting skills in C / C++ and Python (or Tcl).
• Solid hands-on lab experience with high-speed test equipment: oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, etc.
• Demonstrated SoC system-level debug skills across firmware, hardware, schematics, PCB, and FPGA environments.
• Strong foundation in data communications theory and high-speed signal fundamentals .
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Proven ability to work independently on test plan development and execution while collaborating effectively in a team.

Desired Qualifications

• SoC performance validation and tuning experience.
• Experience with prototype board bring-up, modifications, and schematic reading.
• Familiarity with AI tools and workflow integration.
• Experience with Product Security.
• PCIe compliance testing experience.
• High-speed SERDES testing and debugging.
• Pre-silicon emulation test experience.
• High-speed digital design, PCB layout, or signal integrity knowledge.
• MIPS-based firmware development and debug in C/C++.
• Working knowledge of protocols including PCIe, DDR4/5, SAS, SATA, I2C, SPI and protocol trace deb