CPU Validation Engineer

Job Title

CPU Validation Engineer

Role Summary

Execute functional and postsilicon validation for CPU cores and system-level CPU features to ensure performance, power, and functional correctness.

The role works on validation infrastructure, test content, and silicon debug across simulation, emulation, FPGA, and silicon environments and collaborates with architecture, design, verification, board, platform, and manufacturing teams.

Experience Level

Entry-level / College graduate. Preferred experience: Bachelor's degree holders with 2+ years of relevant experience or Master's degree holders with 1+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include developing and executing validation plans, debugging silicon issues, and improving validation infrastructure.

• Define, develop, and execute functional validation for CPU internals and CPU integration in system-level features.
• Use hardware and software tools to achieve validation coverage and meet performance, power, and area goals.
• Review design changes to assess impact on validation scope, tasks, and timelines.
• Develop validation methodologies, test plans, and postsilicon infrastructure (performance monitors, behavioral checkers, state-space coverage).
• Perform silicon debug, root-cause analysis, triage failures, and communicate results in validation reports.
• Test interactions between CPU features and develop content to exercise specific IP interactions (including microcode/firmware/OS techniques).
• Collaborate with architecture, design, verification, board, platform, and manufacturing teams to improve debug and validation strategies.
• Engage across product lifecycle phases and validate content across simulation, emulation, FPGAs, and silicon environments.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and practical capabilities are listed below; preferred items are identified separately.

• Must-have: Knowledge of CPU architecture and processor microarchitecture; coursework or practical exposure to VLSI/Digital Design.
• Must-have: Proficiency in coding with C/C++ and Python.
• Must-have: Ability to perform silicon debug, analyze failures, and work with validation tools and environments.
• Nice-to-have: Verilog/SystemVerilog and x86 assembly experience.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with RTL simulation, emulation environments, and RTL-level debugging.
• Nice-to-have: Familiarity with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies) and postsilicon performance/power validation techniques.
• Nice-to-have: Demonstrated analytical and debugging skills, and experience collaborating across cross-functional teams.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field is required. Preferred: Bachelor's with 2+ years of relevant experience or a Master's degree with 1+ years of relevant experience. Coursework examples mentioned include VLSI/Digital Design. Certifications were not 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.