CPU Verification Engineer

Job Title

CPU Verification Engineer

Role Summary

Verify and validate CPU logic and microarchitecture by developing and executing comprehensive verification plans and scalable verification environments. Work closely with CPU architects, RTL designers, and physical-design teams to ensure functional, performance, and power goals are met across pre-silicon validation flows.

This role focuses on functional verification using UVM-based testbenches, functional coverage, system-level simulation, debugging, and automation to improve verification throughput and quality.

Experience Level

Entry-level / Early career — typically 1+ years of relevant verification experience or a Master's degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include design verification, environment development, simulation, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Develop and execute verification plans aligned to architectural and microarchitectural specifications.
• Design scalable verification environments and UVM-based testbenches.
• Create and maintain functional coverage models and analyze coverage to close verification gaps.
• Run system-level simulations to validate functionality, power, and timing.
• Debug pre-silicon failures and perform root-cause analysis; implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with architects, RTL developers, and physical design teams on complex features.
• Maintain and improve verification infrastructure, methodologies, and automation flows.
• Develop scripts and tools (Python, Perl, C++ or similar) to automate verification tasks.
• Document verification strategies and participate in technical reviews.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; preferred items are listed separately.

• Experience with RTL modeling languages and simulation tools (Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog).
• Experience developing UVM-based testbenches for reusable, scalable verification environments.
• Familiarity with industry-standard simulation tools and version control systems (e.g., Synopsys VCS, Git).
• Experience with scripting and programming for verification automation (Python, Perl, C++).
• Experience performing functional coverage analysis and closing coverage gaps.
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills in pre-silicon environments.
• Ability to collaborate across CPU architecture, RTL, and physical-design teams.
• Nice-to-have: knowledge of x86/Intel ISA, pre- and post-silicon CPU verification workflows, firmware/microcode validation, and applying AI/automation to verification.

Education Requirements

Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM field with 1+ years of relevant experience, OR a Master’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM field. Preferred: advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.