DDRSS Validation Engineer (RTL + Silicon Debug)
QualcommJob Title
DDRSS Validation Engineer (RTL + Silicon Debug)
Role Summary
Validation engineer responsible for pre-silicon verification, emulation, and post-silicon validation of SoC DDRSS and memory subsystems. The role combines deep RTL/Verilog debug, firmware development in C, and hands-on silicon bring-up to ensure correct subsystem behavior across simulation, emulation, and silicon platforms.
Experience Level
Mid-level (guidance: approximately 6–9 years of experience in SoC validation, design verification, or post-silicon validation).
Responsibilities
Work across simulation, emulation, and silicon to validate DDRSS and related SoC subsystems.
- Drive end-to-end validation of DDR, memory controller, cache, and interconnect subsystems in RTL simulation, emulation, and silicon.
- Perform deep debug and root-cause analysis of functional failures in RTL/testbenches, emulation, and silicon (timing, stability, performance).
- Develop and maintain production-quality firmware in C to manage DDRSS init, frequency and power management, bring-up, and feature validation.
- Validate firmware and bring-up sequences across RTL simulation, emulation platforms, and silicon.
- Collaborate with RTL/architecture design teams, DV teams, and system/silicon validation teams to align tests and coverage.
- Build and maintain debug infrastructure, data collection, analysis tools, and automation to improve validation efficiency and failure triage.
Requirements
Key must-have skills and experience for the role.
- 6–9 years experience in SoC validation, design verification, or post-silicon validation (experience range cited as preferred in role).
- Proven debug skills in Verilog/SystemVerilog simulation environments and testbenches.
- Firmware development experience in C for embedded systems and validation flows.
- Hands-on silicon bring-up, debug, and post-silicon validation experience.
- Experience validating and debugging across multiple platforms: RTL simulation, emulation, and silicon.
- Strong understanding of computer architecture and memory systems (DDR, cache, interconnect).
- Ability to develop tools, automation, and infrastructure for data collection and failure analysis.
- Effective cross-functional collaboration with design, DV, and system validation teams.
Education Requirements
Minimum qualifications specify a Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field with 4+ years of relevant ASIC/validation experience; OR a Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience. "Related field" and equivalent practical experience are accepted per the posting.
About the Company
Company: Qualcomm
Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States
Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.
