FPGA Configuration and Security (Firmware) Validation Engineer

Job Title

FPGA Configuration and Security (Firmware) Validation Engineer

Role Summary

Work on validation of firmware, drivers, platform software and system-level behaviour for FPGA-based embedded systems. You will join the Altera Software and IP Solutions (SIPS) team and collaborate with firmware, hardware, software and validation engineers.

The role covers pre-silicon and post-silicon testing, customer workflow validation, automation and root-cause analysis to improve product quality and reliability.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting requests approximately 3–5 years of relevant experience in software, firmware, embedded systems, platform validation, or test development.

Responsibilities

Execute and maintain test plans, reproduce issues, and expand automated validation coverage across platforms and OSes.

• Execute validation plans and test cases for firmware, platform, and system-level functionality (functional, regression, integration, stress, negative tests).
• Review requirements and develop/maintain test procedures and documentation.
• Design and implement automated test cases and enhance regression suites (Python or other scripting languages).
• Validate platform and driver behavior on Windows and Linux, including installation, upgrade, compatibility, and device-driver interactions.
• Perform plug-and-play, reboot, recovery, error-handling, suspend/resume and hot-plug testing across OS versions and hardware configurations.
• Collect logs and debug data; reproduce and document reported issues; support root-cause analysis and defect tracking.
• Maintain test infrastructure, laboratory environments and equipment; support continuous validation initiatives.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience required to perform the role; nice-to-have items listed separately.

• 3–5 years experience in software, firmware, embedded systems, platform validation, or test development.
• Fundamental understanding of embedded systems, microcontrollers, SoCs, and firmware concepts.
• Experience with Python scripting and basic programming knowledge in C or C++.
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems and their validation/testing on platforms.
• Experience with version control (Git) and issue tracking tools (Jira).
• Strong analytical, debugging and problem-solving skills; good written and verbal communication.

Nice-to-have

• Experience with FPGA-based systems or FPGA development tools.
• Platform/driver validation, Windows Device Manager, driver installation and hardware enumeration concepts.
• Basic understanding of PCIe, USB, Ethernet or other hardware interfaces.
• Experience developing automated test frameworks and Linux driver/kernel-level testing.
• Understanding of security concepts (secure boot, authentication, cryptographic fundamentals).
• Experience using test and debug tools such as logic analyzers, protocol analyzers or debuggers.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (as stated). No explicit mention of an "equivalent experience" clause was provided in the posting.

About the Company

Company: Altera

Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Altera provides leadership programmable solutions for applications ranging from cloud to edge, unveiling limitless AI possibilities. Their extensive product portfolio includes FPGAs, CPLDs, Intellectual Property, development tools, and System on Modules aimed at accelerating innovation in various fields.