SoC Functional Validation Engineer

Job Title

SoC Functional Validation Engineer

Role Summary

Validate integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) designs to ensure functionality, performance, and reliability across IP interactions and system-level features. Work includes creating and executing validation plans, silicon debug, developing post-silicon validation infrastructure, and collaborating with architecture, design, verification, board, platform, and manufacturing teams.

Primary setting is on-site engineering within a data-center SoC development team focusing on system-level integration and debug across simulation, emulation, FPGA, and silicon.

Experience Level

Entry-level. Typical experience guidance: 1+ years with a Bachelor's degree, or 0 years with a Master's degree.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include designing and executing functional validation, diagnosing silicon issues, and improving validation methodologies and infrastructure.

• Define, develop, and execute functional validation for integrated SoCs focusing on IP integration and system-level features.
• Use hardware and software validation tools and methodologies to achieve coverage and meet performance/power/area goals.
• Develop detailed test plans, validation methodologies, performance monitors, behavioral checkers, and test environments.
• Perform silicon debug to identify root causes and resolve functional and triage issues.
• Test interactions across SoC features using validation infrastructure across simulation, emulation, FPGA, and hardware.
• Generate test content for IP interactions using microcode patches, firmware updates, or custom OS builds.
• Publish validation reports and communicate results to cross-functional teams; review proposed design changes for validation impact.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, verification, board, platform, and manufacturing teams to refine validation and debug processes.

Requirements

Must-have skills and conditions are listed first; preferred skills follow.

• Must-have: Proficiency in Python scripting and object-oriented programming principles.
• Experience with debugging tools and methodologies and practical silicon debug experience.
• Fundamental understanding of SoC architecture and microarchitecture.
• Advanced English communication skills (reading/writing) as required for this role.
• Unrestricted, permanent right to work in Mexico (role is not eligible for visa or immigration sponsorship).
• On-site availability in Guadalajara for the assigned shift.

• Nice-to-have: Familiarity with Linux and kernel-level debugging, C/C++ programming, hardware test tools (e.g., JTAG, ITP), and experience with PCIe, RAS, memory, AI, security, container environments, OS debug, or driver development.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field is stated as the minimum. A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field is preferred and can qualify with reduced experience (posting indicates 1+ years with a Bachelor's, or 0 years with a Master's). Qualifications may be met through a combination of relevant work experience, internships, coursework, or research.

About the Company

Company: Intel Corporation

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA

Intel Corporation is a leading multinational technology company known for its innovative semiconductor solutions, including microprocessors, artificial intelligence accelerators, and memory products. Headquartered in the United States, Intel focuses on cutting-edge technology and a collaborative working environment, driving advancements in semiconductor manufacturing to meet global demands. The company emphasizes professional development and aims to shape the future of technology through groundbreaking designs.