Silicon Validation Engineer 3

Job Title

Silicon Validation Engineer 3

Role Summary

Member of the Silicon Engineering validation team responsible for bring-up, validation, characterization, and debug of FPGA silicon building blocks at board level. Work includes test plan development, RTL test logic, bench characterization, data analysis, and cross-functional coordination from silicon arrival through product release.

Role involves hands-on use of lab equipment, test automation, and collaboration with design, verification, manufacturing, test, quality, and applications teams.

Experience Level

Mid-level — typically 5+ years of relevant silicon design validation or board-level characterization experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include silicon bring-up, validation, and characterization of FPGA IP and board-level systems.

• Plan and execute validation and characterization campaigns for IP blocks (SERDES, DDR, DPHY, PLL, DSP, I/O, fabric, etc.).
• Develop bench hardware setups, test plans, and RTL test logic to exercise target features and metrics.
• Bring up new silicon, debug failures, and iterate on tests to assess functionality and performance.
• Measure and analyze data (statistical view), prepare datasheet parameter characterization.
• Use lab instrumentation (BERT, VNA, oscilloscopes, protocol exercisers/analyzers) for device characterization.
• Automate tests and data capture using scripts and programs; support test reproducibility and reporting.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and support customer issue resolution post-release.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience for immediate contribution.

• 5+ years of experience in silicon design validation, board-level characterization, or equivalent.
• Expertise in high-speed SerDes interface characterization and protocol compliance (examples: PCIe, Ethernet, SDI, CoaXpress, JESD204, MIPI D-PHY, USB, DisplayPort/HDMI).
• Experience with high-speed board design and signal-integrity evaluation and debug.
• Strong RTL experience (Verilog/VHDL) and use of FPGA development tools for test logic and prototypes.
• Test automation experience using scripting/programming languages such as Python or Perl.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and tools (JMP, R) for characterization data.
• Proficiency with bench instrumentation: BERT, VNA, oscilloscopes, protocol exercisers/analyzers.
• Experience with FPGA emulation/prototyping and bringing up target hardware platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and debugging skills; self-motivated and proactive.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or a related technical field) is stated; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

About the Company

Company: Lattice Semiconductor

Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA

Lattice Semiconductor specializes in low power, small-form-factor programmable logic devices and solutions. The company is known for its innovative technology that enables a wide range of applications, including communication, consumer, and industrial markets.