Senior Engineer I - Validation (Systems)

Job Title

Senior Engineer I - Validation (Systems)

Role Summary

Join the Data Center Solutions team to own silicon bring-up, system integration, and validation of next-generation SoCs used in storage and data center products. The role focuses on building validation infrastructure, executing feature- and system-level tests on prototype silicon and firmware, and driving cross-domain debug in a laboratory environment.

Experience Level

Senior — minimum 5 years of relevant pre- and/or post-silicon SoC validation experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include designing and executing validation activity across hardware, firmware, and system levels.

• Integrate prototype SoCs, validation boards, emulation platforms, firmware, and host software to create testable systems.
• Develop, execute, and document feature-, block-, and system-level test plans against specifications and industry standards.
• Build and maintain validation infrastructure: boards, FPGAs, embedded software, drivers, and automated test suites.
• Run complex lab tests on prototype silicon and firmware using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and other high-speed equipment.
• Debug across firmware, hardware, schematics, PCB, and FPGA domains to isolate and resolve issues.
• Report findings, track bugs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to closure.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead technical activities within the validation team.
• Integrate tools (including AI-assisted workflows) to improve test efficiency and automation.
• Present technical results to internal stakeholders and external audiences as needed.
• Travel as required (up to ~25%).

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience.

• Minimum 5 years of silicon / SoC validation experience (pre- and/or post-silicon).
• Strong programming and scripting in C/C++ and Python (or Tcl).
• Hands-on lab experience with high-speed test equipment: oscilloscopes, protocol and logic analyzers.
• Demonstrated system-level debug skills across firmware, hardware, PCB, and FPGA environments.
• Strong foundation in data communications theory and high-speed signaling fundamentals.
• Proven ability to develop and execute test plans independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Nice-to-have:

• SoC performance validation and tuning experience.
• Prototype board bring-up, schematic reading, and board modification experience.
• PCIe compliance testing, high-speed SERDES testing, and protocol trace debugging (PCIe, DDR4/5, SAS, SATA, I2C, SPI).
• Experience with product security, pre-silicon emulation, FPGA tools, and VHDL/Verilog.
• MIPS-based firmware development, RTOS/ThreadX experience, and host driver/OS experience (Linux/Windows).

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field (as stated in the posting).

About the Company

Company: Microchip

Headquarters: Chandler, Arizona, USA

Microchip is a leading semiconductor company focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance the human experience. With a commitment to empowering innovation, Microchip prioritizes the value of its employees by fostering a culture that supports their growth and contributions.