Senior Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

Job Title

Senior Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

Role Summary

Validate memory interface IP at board level in a hands-on lab environment. Design and lay out PCBs, run signal-integrity analyses, perform bring-up and debug, and drive cross-functional reviews to ensure IP readiness for customer deployment.

Experience Level

Senior - 6–8+ years of hardware design and validation experience, focused on high-speed digital and mixed-signal systems.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Design and layout PCBs in Cadence Allegro for memory IP characterization and customer reference designs.
• Analyze high-speed signal behavior using S-parameters, eye diagrams, and crosstalk simulations.
• Route and validate communication interfaces (JTAG, I2C, SPI, UART) with attention to timing and noise immunity.
• Debug board-level issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Review design files and layouts with cross-functional teams and teach routing, decoupling, and DRC best practices.
• Interpret SPICE, IBIS, and channel analysis results and correlate simulations with measured waveforms.
• Drive root-cause analysis on validation failures and coordinate corrective actions across silicon, firmware, and board design.
• Mentor junior engineers during characterization and bring-up activities.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience:

• 6–8+ years of hardware design and validation experience with an emphasis on high-speed digital and mixed-signal systems.
• Expert proficiency in Cadence Allegro for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Deep understanding of signal integrity: S-parameters, impedance control, crosstalk, intersymbol interference, and return loss.
• Ability to analyze analog IC circuits and correlate SPICE simulation results to measured behavior.
• Proven hands-on debugging experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Practical experience routing and debugging JTAG, I2C, SPI, UART and other control interfaces.
• Knowledge of PCB stack-up design and selection of high-speed materials.
• Strong independent problem solving, clear technical communication, and experience driving cross-discipline investigations.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field - or equivalent hands-on experience.

About the Company

Company: Synopsys

Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA

Synopsys is a leading company in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor IP solutions. It provides tools and services for designing and verifying complex semiconductor devices and systems. The company plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, helping engineers innovate and deliver higher-quality products faster. Synopsys is committed to advancing technology standards and offers a range of software and hardware solutions to its clients globally.