Principal System Debug Engineer

Job Title

Principal System Debug Engineer

Role Summary

Lead system-level debug and root-cause analysis for advanced microprocessors across customer platforms and internal labs. Act as the primary technical interface between silicon/software engineering teams and strategic OEM, ODM, and hyperscaler customers.

Work spans platform bring-up, on-site customer debug, tooling and methodology development, and cross-functional coordination to drive fixes and influence future CPU architectures. Preferred locations: Austin, TX or San Jose, CA; hybrid option available.

Experience Level

Senior (Principal-level). Specific years of experience not stated.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include leadership of technical investigations, customer engagement, and cross-functional coordination.

• Lead triage, investigation, and root-cause analysis of complex system-level issues spanning CPU silicon, platform hardware, firmware, drivers, and OS/hypervisor interactions.
• Drive early platform bring-up activities in internal labs and at customer sites to accelerate time-to-market.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison for strategic customers; guide their engineering teams on platform design and debug methodologies.
• Collaborate with Silicon Design, Architecture, Firmware (BIOS/UEFI/BMC), OS/Kernel, and Validation teams to implement systemic fixes and influence CPU design.
• Architect and implement advanced debug methodologies, scripts, and tools to speed issue isolation across hardware/software boundaries.
• Lead technical task forces during critical escalations, deliver executive updates, and drive action plans under tight deadlines.

Requirements

Key technical skills and experience required. Degree information is listed separately under Education Requirements.

• Must-have: Deep knowledge of modern CPU architecture; x86 expertise is mandatory.
• Extensive experience debugging high-speed I/O and interconnects (PCIe Gen4/5/6, CXL, DDR4/DDR5, Ethernet, USB, and low-speed buses).
• Strong understanding of firmware and system software stacks (BIOS/UEFI, BMC/IPMI, kernel internals, device drivers, hypervisors).
• Hands-on platform bring-up and debug using hardware tools (JTAG/ITP, oscilloscopes, logic/protocol analyzers) and software debuggers (GDB, WinDbg); crash dump analysis.
• Practical knowledge of platform hardware design: board schematics, PCB layout, power delivery networks, clocking, signal and power integrity.
• Proficiency in scripting and programming for test automation and tool development (Python, C, C++).
• Experience working directly with cloud service providers (hyperscalers) and Tier‑1 OEMs; customer-facing engagement history.
• Experience with RAS design and machine check exception (MCE) analysis.
• Proven technical leadership in escalations and cross-functional projects.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice-to-have: Specific experience with BMC/IPMI, KVM/VMware/Hyper-V, and prior leadership of large cross-functional debug efforts.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (as stated by the employer).

About the Company

Company: Advanced Micro Devices

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, USA

Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, graphics processors, and related technologies for a variety of computing devices. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, AMD's mission is to deliver high-performance computing solutions for AI, data centers, gaming, and embedded applications. They foster a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creativity and problem-solving, aiming to drive progress and excellence in technology.