Senior Principal Emulation & FPGA Prototyping Verification Engineer

Ampere; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 237,000 - 356,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited flextime

401K retirement plan

Job summary

Ampere in Santa Clara is seeking a Senior Principal Emulation & FPGA Prototyping Verification Engineer. In this role, you will deliver high-quality AI-integrated server-class SoCs, leading significant design challenges and spearheading verification efforts to ensure performance and data consistency.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of emulation-based verification expertise and strong skills in C/C++ and Python. The position offers a competitive salary range of $237,000–$356,000 and comprehensive benefits, including premium medical insurance and unlimited flextime.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of SoC emulation-based verification expertise.
• 5+ years of leading FPGA prototyping within a SoC verification environment.
• Expert proficiency in debugging complex RTL issues.

Responsibilities

• Drive FPGA prototyping for SoC verification.
• Develop test content for SOC verification.
• Collaborate with teams to debug failures.

Skills

SoC emulation-based verification expertise

FPGA prototyping

C/C++

Python

Debugging complex RTL issues

Test case development

Education

BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science

Tools

SystemVerilog

ARM architecture

x86 architecture

Job description

Invent the future with us. Ampere is a semiconductor design company for a new era, leading the future of computing with an innovative approach to CPU design focused on high-performance, energy efficient AI compute. As a pioneer in the new frontier of energy-efficient high‑performance computing, Ampere is part of the Softbank Group of companies driving sustainable computing for AI, Cloud, and edge applications. Join us at Ampere and work alongside a passionate and growing team — we’d love to have you apply!

About The Role

As a Senior Principal Emulation & FPGA Prototyping Verification Engineer, you will apply extensive, specialized expertise and visionary leadership to strategically deliver high‑quality, next‑gen AI‑integrated server‑class SoCs. This pivotal role leads significant, unique technical challenges, requiring incisive evaluation of complex data and intangible factors. You will spearhead SoC design emulation verification and FPGA prototyping efforts for server‑class AI cloud‑native processors, ensuring exemplary performance and absolute data consistency.

What You’ll Achieve

• Drive FPGA prototyping efforts for SoC verification firmware/software environments.
• Develop and enable a wide range of test content for SOC verification using C/C++, Python, SystemVerilog.
• Develop strategies and solutions to support HSIO interfaces in an FPGA environment.
• Collaborate with architecture and design teams to debug failures using advanced debugging techniques.
• Work across internal groups and international teams to share knowledge, tackle solutions, enhance your skills, while shaping product quality.
• Mentor and guide the work of junior engineers.

About you:

• 8+ years of SoC emulation‑based verification expertise.
• 5+ years of proven experience leading and optimizing FPGA prototyping efforts within a SoC verification environment.
• Expert‑level proficiency in debugging complex RTL issues.
• Highly skilled in developing comprehensive and effective test cases.
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Practical experience supporting HSIO devices in an FPGA environment.
• Solid understanding of ARM and/or x86 architecture principles.
• Additional skills highly desired: prior knowledge with PCIe, Ethernet, DDR, HBM, PCIe, CXL, AMBA (AXI / CHI), System C, testbench development.

Education

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science & 12 years of related experience; MS degree & 8 years.

What We’ll Offer

At Ampere we believe in taking care of our employees and providing a competitive total rewards package that includes base pay, cash long‑term incentive, and comprehensive benefits. The full base pay range for this role is between $237,000 and $356,000. Our benefits include health, wellness, and financial programs that support employees through every stage of life.

Benefit Highlights Include

• Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as income protection and a 401K retirement plan.
• Unlimited flextime and 10+ paid holidays to support a healthy work‑life balance.
• A variety of healthy snacks, energizing espresso, and refreshing drinks throughout the day.

Ampere is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, age, veteran and/or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.