SoC Functional Validation Engineer - Core (CRE) Domain

Job Title

SoC Functional Validation Engineer - Core (CRE) Domain

Role Summary

Validate CPU core functionality, performance, and reliability for Intel client SoCs via post-silicon testing, test development, automation and deep debug. Work within the Core (CRE) Domain of the Functional Validation team and coordinate with architecture, design, firmware, BIOS and software teams to find, reproduce and resolve silicon issues.

Experience Level

Entry-level - 0–2 years of relevant experience. Candidates with a Master's and limited or no prior professional experience are also eligible.

Responsibilities

Execute post-silicon validation, develop test content and automation, and perform root-cause debug for CPU core features.

• Plan, develop and execute validation test content covering core features, instructions, power states and processor functionality.
• Run post-silicon validation and analyze failures using hardware, firmware and software debug tools.
• Investigate CPU execution failures including interrupts, exception handling, cache coherency and processor state transitions.
• Perform root-cause analysis using traces, telemetry, execution logs and silicon observability features.
• Develop automation solutions and debug utilities using scripting/programming to improve productivity and coverage.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, firmware, BIOS and software teams to reproduce and resolve issues.
• Use hardware debug interfaces and tools (e.g., JTAG, trace infrastructure, Lauterbach) during bring-up and debug.
• Contribute to validation methodology, test coverage and automation improvements.
• Support AI-assisted validation and data-driven debug solutions to speed failure triage.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience required for the role; preferred items listed separately.

• Basic understanding of computer and processor architecture and CPU execution fundamentals.
• Knowledge of operating system concepts: interrupts, memory management, processes and privilege levels.
• Proficiency with programming or scripting languages such as Python, C/C++ or Shell.
• Strong analytical and debugging skills with a demonstrated ability to investigate complex technical problems.
• Experience with test development, automation or writing validation utilities.

Preferred / nice-to-have:

• Familiarity with x86 architecture and CPU microarchitecture concepts.
• Experience with CPU validation methodologies, architectural validation or processor debug techniques.
• Exposure to cache hierarchies, coherency protocols, interrupts, exception handling and power management.
• Experience using hardware debug tools (Lauterbach, JTAG, trace infrastructure) and silicon observability features.
• Knowledge of firmware, BIOS or low-level software interactions with processor hardware.
• Experience building automated test frameworks or validation tools.
• Understanding of ML/AI approaches for validation, failure analysis or data analytics.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for cross-team work.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or a related technical field; OR Master's degree in a related technical field (Master's acceptable with limited or no prior professional experience). Internship, academic project experience or equivalent practical experience is also referenced as acceptable.

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.