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Director Emulation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Austin, TX

$134K - $164K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... emulation, and formal verification approaches, to validate complex SoC designs. - Develop and ...

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... emulation, and formal verification approaches, to validate complex SoC designs. - Develop and ...

Sr Performance Validation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... simulations, emulation platforms, and virtual prototypes. • Develop test plans that verify ... Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material ...

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Hillsboro, OR

$148K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... emulation, and formal verification approaches, to validate complex SoC designs. - Develop and ...

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Santa Clara, CA

$159K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... emulation, and formal verification approaches, to validate complex SoC designs. - Develop and ...

GPU Design Verification Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$161.80 - $273.40/hr

Collaborates with Architecture, Software, Firmware, Design, Modeling, Emulation and Post‑silicon ... Collect, organize and execute various forms of system level test content including directed ...

Ensure stimulus is portable across verification, emulation and ASIC platforms. Implement test ... Develop directed/constrained random/random test cases to fully stress the design, and track ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Emulation Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$111.6K

$203K

How much do director emulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director emulation engineer in the United States is $111,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director emulation engineer?

To excel as a Director Emulation Engineer, you need deep expertise in hardware verification, emulation methodologies, and a solid background in electrical or computer engineering, often with an advanced degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Cadence Palladium, Synopsys ZeBu, or Mentor Veloce, as well as experience with scripting languages and EDA workflows, is essential. Leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication distinguish top performers by enabling them to guide teams and coordinate complex projects. These skills ensure efficient verification cycles, high-quality silicon development, and successful cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced semiconductor environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a director emulation engineer when leading emulation projects?

A Director Emulation Engineer often navigates challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing resource allocation, and ensuring timely delivery of complex emulation solutions. Balancing the technical intricacies of hardware and software integration while meeting aggressive project timelines is frequently required. Additionally, keeping up with evolving emulation technologies and fostering team expertise are critical to maintaining project success and supporting innovation.

What does a director emulation engineer do?

A Director Emulation Engineer oversees the development and implementation of hardware emulation systems used to test and validate the functionality of semiconductor designs before they are manufactured. This role involves managing a team of engineers, setting technical direction, and ensuring that emulation platforms meet project and company requirements. Responsibilities also include collaborating with design, verification, and software teams to optimize workflows and improve overall productivity. The Director Emulation Engineer plays a critical role in reducing time-to-market and ensuring design quality in the semiconductor industry.

What is the difference between Director Emulation Engineer vs Senior Emulation Engineer?

AspectDirector Emulation EngineerSenior Emulation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, possibly with leadership experienceBachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, with extensive emulation experience
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with multiple departmentsPerforms hands-on emulation design, testing, and optimization
Industry UsageUsed in semiconductor, electronics, and chip design companiesCommonly found in semiconductor and hardware development firms

The main difference is that a Director Emulation Engineer oversees teams and projects, focusing on strategic leadership, while a Senior Emulation Engineer primarily handles technical tasks and hands-on emulation work. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the director position emphasizes management and coordination.

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What cities are hiring for Director Emulation Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Director Emulation Engineer job openings:

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Infographic showing various Director Emulation Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,632 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Intel

Austin, TX

$134K - $164K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Intel rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Job Details:Job Description: 

The Role and Impact
We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead the functional verification efforts for cutting-edge system-on-chip (SoC) designs. In this strategic role, you will define and implement scalable and reusable verification methodologies that ensure first-pass silicon success. As a trusted domain expert, you will directly influence Intel's technical direction, mentor the next generation of engineers, and drive innovation that strengthens Intel's leadership in the semiconductor industry. This position offers a tremendous opportunity to shape the quality and performance of Intel products, ensuring they meet and exceed the expectations of customers worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect and define end-to-end SoC verification strategies, including simulation, emulation, and formal verification approaches, to validate complex SoC designs.
- Develop and execute block, subsystem, and SoC-level verification plans, including test benches and coverage models, to ensure compliance with microarchitecture specifications.
- Lead verification closure for critical interfaces, including AXI, ACE, CHI, and interconnect fabrics.
- Collaborate with SoC architects, RTL designers, and firmware teams to define verification hooks, assertions, and coverage metrics.
- Oversee the integration of multiple IPs such as PCIe Gen6/7, DDR5/6, and Ethernet into the SoC environment, driving verification success.
- Define and promote reusable UVM-based verification methodologies and automation flows for improved team productivity.
- Lead emulation and performance modeling efforts, including co-verification of digital designs with firmware and architectural simulations using advanced platforms like Palladium and Veloce.
- Debug and root cause complex issues in pre-silicon environments, implementing corrective measures to ensure design functionality and performance.
- Provide expert guidance and mentorship to technical leads and design verification engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Collaborate with post-silicon validation teams to incorporate learnings into future verification methodologies and infrastructure.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's or BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 12+ years of relevant experience;

-5+ years of people management experience
- Expertise in SystemVerilog and UVM/OVM verification methodologies.
- Comprehensive knowledge of SoC microarchitecture, including coherency protocols, cache subsystems, and interconnect fabrics.
- Proven experience with high-speed protocols such as PCIe, DDR, AXI, CHI, or NoC.
- Hands-on experience with emulation and prototyping platforms (e.g., Palladium, Veloce, FPGA-based) and formal verification tools.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain verification environments, including scoreboards, monitors, and VIP integration.
Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering +8 years work experience or PhD + 6 years in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering +6 years work experience

- Familiarity with power intent verification (UPF) and security verification techniques.
- Experience with AI/ML accelerators, custom interconnect fabrics, or SmartNIC technologies.
- Strong scripting skills (Python, Perl, or TCL) to automate verification flows and regressions.
- Proven ability to drive pre-silicon to post-silicon correlation for continuous improvement.
- Exceptional analytical, debugging, and technical leadership abilities, with a passion for driving innovation and excellence.
Join us and make a lasting impact on Intel's groundbreaking technologies and products.

Job Type:Experienced HireShift:Shift 1 (United States of America)Primary Location: US, California, Santa ClaraAdditional Locations:US, Oregon, Hillsboro, US, Texas, AustinBusiness group:The Central Engineering Group (CEG) is Intel's data-driven organization that builds scalable engineering solutions across three pillars: Product Enablement (IP, tools, and methodologies), Custom ASIC (leveraging existing IP for custom silicon), and Foundry Enablement (supporting top customers and validating technologies). The team focuses on customer-driven, end-to-end solutions with short development cycles to deliver measurable business impact across Intel's product and foundry businesses.Posting Statement:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.Position of TrustThis role is a Position of Trust. Should you accept this position, you must consent to and pass an extended Background Investigation, which includes (subject to country law), extended education, SEC sanctions, and additional criminal and civil checks. For internals, this investigation may or may not be completed prior to starting the position. For additional questions, please contact your Recruiter.Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $220,920.00-311,890.00 USDThe range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Work Model for this Role

This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

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About Intel

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Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1968