Principal Engineer - SoC Design Verification

Job Title

Principal Engineer - SoC Design Verification

Role Summary

Lead verification strategy and execution for complex ARM-based SoCs and microcontrollers. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for defining verification methodology, building UVM environments, driving closure across IPs and subsystems, and mentoring verification engineers.

Work closely with design, architecture and system teams to ensure functional quality, low-power verification and compliance with security/safety requirements.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 10+ years of SoC/IP verification experience with multiple successful tape-outs.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Define and own SoC- and IP-level verification strategy, methodology, and coverage goals.
• Develop, debug and run UVM-based verification environments for RTL/netlist simulation.
• Create stimulus and assertions, run regressions, and analyze code and functional coverage across RTL, power-aware RTL, gate-level, FPGA and emulation platforms.
• Execute verification plans derived from product specifications and architect requirements.
• Drive DV closure for diverse IPs and subsystems and ensure maximum reuse and flow efficiency.
• Mentor and guide team members; collaborate with design teams to resolve issues and complete sign-off.
• Ensure verification processes address functional safety and security requirements.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• 10+ years in SoC/IP verification with experience on multiple tape-outs.
• Strong expertise in SoC-level verification, particularly ARM-based microcontroller platforms.
• Proficiency in SystemVerilog, UVM and constrained-random verification techniques.
• Experience with commercial EDA simulators (Synopsys VCS, Cadence Xcelium, Mentor Questa).
• Experience with low-power verification methodologies (UPF), gate-level and power-aware simulations.
• Strong use of assertions (SVA) and functional coverage-driven verification.
• Verification experience with common interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, USB, PCIe, Ethernet, eSPI.
• Strong debugging skills, regression management and automation for reuse and efficiency.
• Good communication and teamwork skills; able to work in a fast-paced environment and mentor others.

Nice-to-have:

• Familiarity with Flash memory and security IPs (crypto engines, secure subsystems).
• Familiarity with common analog IPs used in microcontroller designs (ADC, DAC, PLLs).

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Microelectronics, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.