SoC Validation Engineer
NXP SemiconductorsJob Title
SoC Validation Engineer
Role Summary
The SoC Validation Engineer will perform digital validation of system-on-chip designs by developing and executing validation plans, drivers, and test content on emulation platforms and silicon. The role collaborates with design, verification, and software teams to validate IPs and SoC-level functionality and to debug failures.
Work includes bare-metal and OS-based (Linux/RTOS) test development, platform bring-up, and failure triage using trace and waveform tools.
Experience Level
Mid-level. No specific years of experience specified in the posting.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include planning, developing, executing, and debugging validation content for SoCs.
- Analyze SoC architecture and IP design specifications to define validation scope and test cases.
- Develop validation test plans and coordinate with design, verification, and software teams.
- Implement validation drivers and test content for emulation and silicon platforms (bare-metal and OS-based).
- Create scripts to post-process executables into platform-loadable images for emulation and validation boards.
- Execute validation content on emulation systems and silicon; reproduce and debug failures.
- Use trace and waveform tools and write CMM scripts to diagnose issues and recreate failing tests.
- Boot and debug Linux on emulation and validation platforms when applicable.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and exposures are listed below; desirable knowledge follows.
- Ability to read and interpret SoC architecture and IP design specifications.
- Proficient in C and familiar with build environments (makefiles, compiler flags, linker scripts).
- Scripting ability (e.g., Python) to prepare and post-process images and test artifacts.
- Exposure to assembly-level programming (preferably ARM32/ARM64).
- Hands-on debugging experience using tools such as Trace32, TARMAC instruction traces, and waveform traces; ability to develop CMM scripts.
- Experience with Linux kernel builds, ramdisk creation, and debugging Linux on emulation/validation platforms.
Nice-to-have:
- Understanding of multi-core SoC environments and bus infrastructure.
- Familiarity with interrupt controllers, DMA, GPIO and common peripherals (UART, I2C, PCIe).
- Knowledge of SoC low-power modes.
Education Requirements
Not specified.
About the Company
Company: NXP Semiconductors
Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands
NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.
