SoC Power Validation Engineer

QUALCOMM, Inc.; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 122,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Power Validation Engineer to ensure SoC quality using post-silicon validation techniques for CPU/GPU/DDR/NOC power at core and system levels.

You will develop deep knowledge of SoC architecture, power reduction methods, and work with cross-functional teams to optimize hardware and software for world-class low power consumption. Responsibilities include Pre-Si/Post-Si validation, regression testing, data analysis, and automation using Python; and you will

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years ASIC design/validation experience
• Master's degree with 1+ year ASIC experience
• PhD in Science/Engineering is a plus

Responsibilities

• Perform Pre-Si and Post-Si Power, thermal & performance correlation at system level across SoC IPs.
• Execute regression and PVT testing across parts, lots, and wafers; analyze data and extract metrics.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, and verification engineers to define validation plans.

Skills

Python scripting

C programming

Debugging

RTL understanding

Power validation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering

PhD in Science/Engineering

Tools

JTAG tooling

Lauterbach Trace32

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Job description

Company

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering

General Summary

Qualcomm's validation team is a central part of the Global SoC hardware organization responsible for the overall quality of the SoC silicon. The validation team works closely with architects, designers, verification engineers, software engineers, and customers.

As a Power Validation Engineer, your mission will be to ensure SoC quality by using post-silicon validation techniques to verify CPU/GPU/DDR/NOC power at core and system level. You are expected to have excellent understanding of digital design fundamentals, SoC Power trees and low-power techniques, and develop deep knowledge of SoC system architecture, power reduction and optimization methods.

Responsibilities

• Perform Pre-Si and Post-Si Power, thermal & performance correlation, debug, and analysis at the system level across various SoC IPs.
• Execute regression and PVT (Process, Voltage, Temperature) testing across different parts, lots, and wafers; analyze the data and extract key metrics.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, and verification engineers to define and execute comprehensive validation plans, identify gap/risk areas.
• Document observations and analysis; propose innovative solutions to optimize hardware and software to achieve world-class chipset low power consumption.
• Debug low-level software and hardware issues, utilizing various debug tools like JTAG and kernel debuggers.
• Conduct Vmin/Fmax measurements and collect data for performance characterization.
• Automate validation flows, data collection, and analysis using Python or similar scripting languages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Python or similar scripting languages for automation.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering to utilize AI.
• Understanding of mobile chip architecture (CPU, GPU, DDR, NOCs, etc.) and debugging low-level software and hardware issues.
• Basic RTL understanding and exposure to transistor power fundamentals.
• Experience in silicon parametric testing/characterization (Vmin/Power) is a plus.
• Excellent programming and scripting skills in preferred languages (C & Python).
• Ability to use lab equipment for testing and validation, including logic analyzers and oscilloscopes.
• Debug tools including JTAG and kernel debuggers like Lauterbach Trace32 debug platform.
• Good analytical and multitasking skills, understanding of deadline requirements.
• Must excel in a dynamic team working environment working on complex SoCs.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Green card or Citizenship preferred.

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Computer and/or Electrical Engineering.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Computer and/or Electrical Engineering.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.

OR

Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.

OR

PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.

Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits

$121,800.00 - $182,600.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.