CPU Verification Engineer

Job Title

CPU Verification Engineer

Role Summary

Join the ATOM CPU team within Intel's Silicon & Platform Engineering Group to validate CPU microarchitecture and ensure designs meet functional, performance, and power targets. The role focuses on pre-silicon verification, debug, and automation to support production-quality CPU designs.

Work closely with architects, RTL designers, and physical design teams to develop verification environments, run system-level simulations, and close coverage gaps.

Experience Level

Entry-level / Early career. Minimum guidance: Bachelor's in a related STEM field with 1+ years relevant experience (or advanced degree with shorter experience as specified by employer).

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities include designing and executing verification plans, implementing testbenches, and driving closure of verification goals.

• Develop and execute verification plans against architectural and microarchitectural specifications.
• Design scalable, reusable UVM-based testbenches and functional coverage models.
• Perform functional coverage analysis and implement plans to close verification gaps.
• Run system-level simulations to validate functionality, power, and timing behavior.
• Debug failures and perform root-cause analysis in pre-silicon environments.
• Develop automation scripts and tools to improve verification throughput and repeatability.
• Collaborate with architects, RTL developers, and physical design teams to verify complex features.
• Maintain and improve verification infrastructure, methodologies, and documentation.

Requirements

Core technical skills and tools required; preferred items listed separately.

Must-have:

• Experience with hardware description languages (Verilog, VHDL, or SystemVerilog) and industry simulators.
• Experience developing UVM-based verification environments.
• Programming skills in at least one scripting or compiled language (Python, Perl, or C++).
• Strong understanding of computer architecture and CPU microarchitecture fundamentals.
• Experience in debugging, test development, functional coverage analysis, and root-cause identification.

Nice-to-have / Preferred:

• Knowledge of x86 architecture or Intel ISA and assembly programming.
• Experience with pre-silicon and post-silicon CPU verification and validation.
• Familiarity with microcode/firmware or low-level software validation techniques.
• Experience with Synopsys VCS, other commercial simulators, and version control systems such as Git.
• Demonstrated ownership of CPU microarchitecture, design, or verification projects; experience applying automation or AI to verification workflows.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field with 1+ years of relevant experience; or a Master's or PhD in a related field with limited (e.g., 3 months) educational or work experience. Relevant experience may include coursework, projects, internships, or military experience.

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.