SoC Validation Engineer

RiseMe; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NXP in Austin, TX is seeking a Digital SoC Validation Engineer to lead pre-silicon emulation and silicon validation, debugging, and characterization of complex SoCs for automotive and industrial applications.

You will develop test plans, port and execute tests, and collaborate with design, verification, firmware, software, and product teams to ensure high-quality silicon releases. Strong problem-solving and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in EE, CE, CS or related field.
• 10+ years in SoC validation, emulation, or silicon validation.
• Strong digital design fundamentals and SoC architectures.
• Experience with ARM-based embedded processors.
• Knowledge of hardware debugging techniques and lab equipment.
• Proficiency in C; knowledge of ARM assembly.
• Experience with Linux and scripting (Python/Perl/Shell).
• Familiarity with PCIe, USB, Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, MIPI.

Responsibilities

• Develop validation plans for digital SoC subsystems and full-chip functionality from design specs.
• Develop and port validation content at IP/sub-system/SoC level features/interfaces.
• Bring-up, execute, and debug validation tests on pre-silicon and silicon.
• Characterize devices across process/voltage/temperature variations.
• Design validation environments, frameworks, and automation scripts.
• Debug using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, JTAG).
• Analyze failures with design/verification teams for root cause.
• Validate high-speed interfaces and protocols (PCIe, USB, Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, MIPI).
• Develop Python/Perl/Shell automation to improve efficiency.
• Review architecture and verification results for complete coverage.
• Support qualification, reliability testing, customer issue resolution.
• Generate detailed validation reports and communicate findings.

Skills

SoC validation

ARM architecture

C programming

ARM assembly

Linux environment

Python scripting

Perl scripting

Shell scripting

Hardware debug

FPGA prototyping

Digital design fundamentals

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

JTAG

Embedded hardware debugging

Job description

NXP is seeking a highly motivated Digital SoC Validation Engineer to join the Silicon Validation team in Austin, Texas. The successful candidate will be responsible for both pre-silicon emulation and silicon validation, debug, and characterization of complex System-on-Chip (SoC) products used in automotive, industrial, networking, and IoT applications. In this capacity, the successful candidate will be developing test plans, writing/porting test code, and executing/debugging tests on both emulation and silicon. This role requires close collaboration with design, verification, firmware, software, and product engineering teams to ensure high-quality silicon releases.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop validation plans for digital SoC subsystems and full-chip functionality from design specifications.
• Develop and/or port validation test content at IP, sub-system, and/or SoC level features/interfaces.
• Bring-up, execute, and debug validation tests on both pre-silicon emulation and actual silicon.
• Perform characterization and debug of silicon devices under process, voltage, and temperature variations.
• Design and develop validation environments, test frameworks, and automation scripts.
• Debug silicon issues using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and JTAG debuggers.
• Analyze failures and collaborate with design and verification teams for root-cause identification and corrective actions.
• Validate high-speed interfaces and industry-standard protocols including PCIe, USB, Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and MIPI interfaces.
• Develop Python, Perl, Shell, or C/C++ based automation solutions to improve validation efficiency.
• Review architecture, design specifications, and verification results to ensure complete coverage.
• Support product qualification, reliability testing, and customer issue resolution activities.
• Generate detailed validation reports and communicate findings to cross-functional stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in SoC validation, emulation / silicon validation.
• Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals, computer architecture, and SoC architectures.
• Experience with embedded processors such as ARM-based systems.
• Knowledge of hardware debug techniques and laboratory equipment.
• Experience in C programming language.
• Knowledge of ARM assembly language.
• Experience with Linux environment.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, Perl, or Shell scripting).
• Experience with industry-standard interfaces and communication protocols.
• Familiarity with FPGA prototyping and board-level validation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

More information about NXP in the United States...

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

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