Principal Silicon Validation Engineer

Job Title

Principal Silicon Validation Engineer

Role Summary

Lead silicon validation for MCU/MPU subsystems with responsibility for post-silicon bring-up, pre-silicon validation support, test development, automation, and low-level hardware/firmware debug. Coordinate across RTL, verification, and firmware teams to identify and close coverage gaps and enable product release.

Experience Level

Senior level — requires 12+ years of experience in semiconductor validation, product engineering, or silicon debug.

Responsibilities

Deliver and execute validation strategy across subsystems, drive test automation, and lead cross-functional debug.

• Define validation plans for CPU, memory, peripherals, and interconnect subsystems.
• Develop test cases and coverage metrics from architecture and design specifications.
• Identify corner cases, stress scenarios, and system-level use cases.
• Perform post-silicon validation on silicon platforms, evaluation boards, and emulators; support pre-silicon emulation when required.
• Debug hardware–software integration issues and perform root-cause analysis.
• Develop validation test suites and automation using C/C++, Python, and scripting languages.
• Build regression and validation automation frameworks; create data-capture, logging, and analysis scripts.
• Use low-level debug tools (JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, trace tools) to isolate failures.
• Collaborate with RTL design, verification, and firmware/software teams; review architecture and design specs.

Requirements

Core technical skills, leadership, and hands-on lab experience expected.

Must-have:

• 12+ years of semiconductor validation, product engineering, or silicon debug experience.
• Hands-on experience with MCU architectures and embedded systems.
• Lab bring-up and silicon debug skills using tools such as JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Experience developing tests and automation with C/C++, Python, or scripting languages.
• Proven ability to lead large, distributed engineering teams; strong communication and executive presence.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with trace tools (ETM/ITM), DDR/SRAM/Flash memory troubleshooting, and CPU cores (ARM/RISC-V).
• Familiarity with pre-silicon emulation and evaluation board bring-up.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Electronics or Computer Engineering (or related technical field).

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.