CPU Pre-Silicon Verification Engineer

Job Title

CPU Pre-Silicon Verification Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and execute pre-silicon validation strategies for Intel CPU core designs to verify functionality, microarchitecture behavior, and system-level interactions before manufacturing. Work with architecture, RTL design, verification, and platform teams to identify issues early and drive silicon readiness.

Position is on the CPU Design Team within Silicon and Platform Engineering focused on high-performance CPU cores.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting requires substantial pre-silicon verification experience (see Education Requirements for degree/years guidance).

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Define, develop, and execute pre-silicon validation plans for CPU core designs across simulation, emulation, and FPGA environments.
• Create validation content, test scenarios, coverage models, and execution strategies to meet signoff criteria.
• Apply coverage-driven validation techniques and improve coverage metrics.
• Review architecture and design changes to assess validation impact and test requirements.
• Debug, perform root cause analysis, and triage functional failures discovered during validation.
• Develop and extend validation methodologies, automation frameworks, checkers, monitors, and tools.
• Analyze and publish validation results; provide recommendations to improve designs and validation approaches.
• Support silicon readiness activities and cross-team collaboration from design through product delivery.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• Proficient programming/scripting skills (examples: C, C++, Python, Perl, Java).
• Experience with hardware description languages and verification languages: SystemVerilog/Verilog/VHDL.
• Familiarity with simulation and verification tools (VCS or similar simulators) and validation infrastructures.
• Experience developing comprehensive pre-silicon validation test plans and translating specs into test objectives and coverage models.
• Strong debug and failure-analysis skills for complex processor designs.
• Ability to collaborate across architecture, design, verification, and platform teams.

Nice-to-have (preferred):

• Computer architecture and microarchitecture experience.
• Coverage-driven validation expertise.
• IP/SoC ASIC validation background.
• Experience with Specman E and/or OVM/UVM.
• Knowledge of x86 core architecture and instruction set.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related Science/Engineering field plus 5+ years of experience in pre-silicon verification and/or front-end design; OR Master's degree in the same fields plus 3+ years of experience. (No certifications specified.)

About the Company

Company: Intel Corporation

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA

Intel Corporation is a leading multinational technology company known for its innovative semiconductor solutions, including microprocessors, artificial intelligence accelerators, and memory products. Headquartered in the United States, Intel focuses on cutting-edge technology and a collaborative working environment, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to meet global demands. The company emphasizes professional development and aims to shape the future of technology through groundbreaking designs.