Hardware Verification Engineer

Job Title

Hardware Verification Engineer

Role Summary

The Hardware Verification Engineer performs pre- and post-silicon validation of mixed-signal integrated circuits, including FPGA prototyping, lab bring-up, bench characterization, and hardware/firmware debug. The role creates test plans, automates measurements and analysis, authors characterization reports, and works closely with design, verification, product/test, and applications teams.

Position sits in the Sensing Product Group in San Diego, focusing on low-power touch and proximity sensing platforms for battery-powered products.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The posting specifies a minimum of 5+ years of industry experience in hardware and software validation.

Responsibilities

Primary duties include pre-silicon emulation, FPGA validation, silicon bring-up, measurement and analysis, and cross-team collaboration.

• Validate pre-silicon and post-silicon hardware and firmware to verify target specifications.
• Define, debug, and operate FPGA prototyping platforms for pre-silicon emulation and validation.
• Lead silicon validation test plans, develop lab hardware and evaluation setups, drive bring-up and debug, and run/analyze measurements.
• Develop tests that exercise design features; write scripts and instrument drivers to automate validation and measurements.
• Execute analog and mixed-signal performance characterization across corner conditions and correlate measured results with design expectations.
• Design and develop fixtures and components to support validation activities.
• Analyze findings, perform root-cause debugging of hardware and software/firmware issues, and report results to the design team.
• Author test plans, characterization reports, and related documentation for design reviews.
• Provide technical support to test, product, and applications engineers and coordinate with cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Key technical and professional requirements. Must-have items are requirements for the role; nice-to-have items improve fit.

• 5+ years industry experience in hardware and software validation.
• Experience with integrated-circuit bring-up, pre/post-silicon validation, and digital systems.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters) and measurement techniques.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages (Python) for test automation and data analysis.
• Experience with standard hardware protocols (I2C, I3C, SPI, MIPI, GPIB, JTAG, PCIe).
• Exposure to development boards, processors, microcontrollers, and FPGAs (e.g., Xilinx/Vivado).
• Strong analytical, synthesis, debugging skills and effective verbal/written communication.

• Experience with AI-assisted coding tools and lab automation workflows (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor).
• Experience with MCU-based systems (ARM, RISC-V, PIC, STM32) and MCU bring-up.
• Familiarity with RTL (SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL), FPGA toolflows, Matlab, and scripted regression frameworks.
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and CI/scripted regression environments.
• Familiarity with analog/mixed-signal circuit concepts and test techniques.

Education Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering (or closely related field).

About the Company

Company: Semtech

Headquarters: Camarillo, California, USA

Semtech Corporation is a high-performance semiconductor company providing IoT systems and Cloud connectivity solutions. The company focuses on delivering innovative technology solutions that support a smarter, more connected, and sustainable planet, with a dedication to quality across infrastructure, industrial, and consumer markets.