Validation Engineer

Arke; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Arke is seeking a Platform Hardware Validation Engineer in San Jose, CA to verify hardware platforms and PCB assemblies against engineering requirements. The role focuses on electrical performance, high-speed interfaces, and robust system behavior across development stages.

You will conduct laboratory measurements, perform DoE-based investigations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable power and signal integrity.

Qualifications

• Practical experience in hardware validation, board-level testing, and electronic system debugging.
• Solid knowledge of signal integrity and power integrity concepts with hands-on measurement.
• Experience validating interfaces like PCIe and I2C.

Responsibilities

• Verify hardware platforms and PCB assemblies against requirements.
• Conduct lab testing for electrical performance and platform stability.
• Execute DoE plans to isolate issues and validate design changes.
• Assess power architecture, sequencing, and transient response.

Skills

Hardware validation

Board-level testing

Signal integrity

Power integrity

PCIe

I2C

Python

MATLAB

Scripting/automation

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Programmable power supplies

Job description

Platform Hardware Validation Engineer – San Jose - W-2/1099/C2C

Location: San Jose, CA

Contract Type: W-2, 1099, C2C

Our client is looking for a skilled Platform Hardware Validation Engineer

to join an engineering team, focusing on the verification and characterisation of complex hardware platforms. This position is responsible for validating board-level designs, assessing electrical performance, and ensuring reliable operation of high-speed interfaces and power subsystems throughout the product development lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Verify the functionality of hardware platforms and PCB assemblies against engineering and product requirements.
• Conduct laboratory-based testing to assess electrical performance, including power distribution, signal quality, and overall platform stability.
• Support silicon bring-up activities by executing characterisation plans covering process, voltage, temperature (PVT), thermal behaviour, and power performance.
• Validate high-speed communication interfaces, with particular focus on PCIe compliance, eye diagram analysis, signal margin assessment, and bit error rate testing.
• Investigate hardware anomalies using structured debugging techniques, identify root causes, and work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to implement corrective actions.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DoE) to isolate issues, evaluate design changes, and improve system performance.
• Assess power architecture, including sequencing, transient response, efficiency, noise measurements, and embedded controller operation.
• Perform functional and electrical validation of low-speed communication buses, including I²C, ensuring reliable interoperability and specification compliance.
• Maintain detailed records of validation activities, test outcomes, and issue tracking to support engineering reviews and product quality.
• Partner with hardware, firmware, systems, and design engineers throughout development to ensure robust platform performance and successful product delivery.

Experience:

• Practical experience in hardware validation, board-level testing, and electronic system debugging.
• Solid knowledge of signal integrity and power integrity concepts, together with hands-on measurement and analysis techniques.
• Experience validating industry-standard interfaces such as PCIe, I²C, and comparable communication protocols.
• Proficiency using electronic test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analysers, spectrum analysers, programmable power supplies, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Strong diagnostic skills with experience investigating hardware failures and determining root causes.
• Familiarity with embedded controllers, power management architectures, and hardware sequencing requirements.
• Analytical problem-solving ability supported by scripting or automation skills using languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines in a fast-paced development environment.