1

Emulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Emulation Engineer

Saratoga, CA ยท On-site

$44.50 - $50.75/hr

Develop and deliver emulation models from RTL using synthesis, partitioning, and routing tools. * Plan and execute simulation acceleration, emulation, and prototyping activities aligned with project ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$47.25 - $54/hr

Experienced Emulation Engineers with strong expertise in Palladium/ZeBu hardware emulation to support SoC/IP verification and validation activities. Key Responsibilities: * Develop and maintain ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$75 - $85/hr

We are looking for an experienced Emulation Engineer with strong expertise in ZeBu platforms to support SoC/IP verification and pre-silicon validation. Key Responsibilities: * Develop and maintain ...

Emulation Engineer

Saratoga, CA ยท On-site

$185K - $250K/yr

Develop and deliver emulation models from RTL using synthesis, partitioning, and routing tools. * Plan and execute simulation acceleration, emulation, and prototyping activities aligned with project ...

Emulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site +1

$175K - $450K/yr

MatX is seeking Emulation engineers to join our team as we create best-in-class silicon for high-performance and sustainable GenAI. Successful candidates for these roles will be responsible for ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$55 - $60/hr

Experience in simulation-to-emulation bring-up. * Familiarity with SCE-MI / transactor-based acceleration. * Strong debugging skills across RTL, testbench, and firmware. * Knowledge of PCIe/AXI/DDR ...

Emulation Engineer Location: Sunnyvale, CA JD: Minimum Qualifications 1. Experience with current emulation technologies and methods, including simulation acceleration, in-circuit emulation, speed ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Oversee SoC bring-up on emulation platforms; diagnose and resolve failing SoC/processor tests. * Develop and maintain automated build and regression flows to accelerate pre-silicon validation and ...

Emulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$175K - $450K/yr

MatX is seeking Emulation engineers to join our team as we create best-in-class silicon for high-performance and sustainable GenAI. Successful candidates for these roles will be responsible for ...

The SOC Emulation team is looking for a strong engineer to join our team focusing on the creation, deployment and support of advanced emulation environments. In this highly visible role, you will be ...

Description As a Graphics Emulation Engineer in Apple's GPU Design Verification and Validation organization, you'll ensure our complex GPU designs meet Apple's quality standards through comprehensive ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Oversee SoC bring-up on emulation platforms; diagnose and resolve failing SoC/processor tests. * Develop and maintain automated build and regression flows to accelerate pre-silicon validation and ...

Emulation Verification Engineer

Beaverton, OR ยท On-site

$141K - $172K/yr

Description As a member of the Emulation verification team, we play a key role in using Emulation for verification of large SoCs. The overall work will involve porting the design onto the Palladium ...

As a domain expert, you will work at the forefront of advanced emulation and FPGA modeling, enabling faster presilicon verification, postsilicon validation, and software development. Your ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $192K/yr

Verify the design, architecture, and micro-architecture using emulation platforms. * Develop sub-system and chip-level tests using Tcl, ITcl, Python, and C/C++ to verify networking switch chips in ...

As a Emulation Engineer at Arteris, you will work with an expert team to design and deliver interconnect & memory hierarchy solutions for some of the world's most sophisticated mobile, telecom ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Emulation information

See salary details

$22

$51

$78

How much do emulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for emulation in the United States is $52.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.42 and $63.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is emulation in the context of technology jobs?

Emulation refers to the process of imitating the functionality of one computer system or device on another. In technology jobs, emulation professionals often create software or hardware environments that mimic the behavior of different platforms, allowing software to run as if it were on the original hardware. This is especially useful for testing, development, and running legacy applications. Emulation plays a crucial role in areas like software development, gaming, and chip design, ensuring compatibility and preserving older systems.

What is the difference between Emulation vs Simulation?

AspectEmulationSimulation
PurposeReplicates hardware/software behavior in real-time for testing and developmentModels system behavior to analyze performance or predict outcomes
AccuracyHigh fidelity, closely mimics actual hardware/softwareVariable accuracy, focuses on behavior over exact replication
Work EnvironmentUsed in hardware/software development, testing labsUsed in research, training, and analysis
CredentialsKnowledge of hardware, software, and testing toolsUnderstanding of system modeling and analysis

Emulation and simulation are both vital in technology development. Emulation provides a real-time, high-fidelity replication of hardware or software, ideal for testing and debugging. Simulation offers a broader analysis of system behavior, useful for research and performance prediction. While they share overlapping skills, emulation emphasizes real-world accuracy, whereas simulation focuses on modeling system dynamics.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data engineering, or systems architecture can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries like technology or finance. Executive or leadership roles in engineering organizations may also reach this compensation level. Achieving this often requires advanced degrees, certifications, and a track record of significant contributions or leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Emulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Emulation Engineer, you need a strong background in digital design, hardware verification, and a relevant degree in electrical engineering or computer science. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDLs) like Verilog/VHDL, emulation platforms (such as Cadence Palladium or Mentor Veloce), and scripting languages is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration distinguish top professionals in this field. These skills are vital for efficiently validating complex hardware systems, reducing time-to-market, and ensuring product reliability.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in specialized fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, or cybersecurity, can earn $300,000 or more annually, often with experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive-level engineering roles such as CTOs or engineering directors may also reach or exceed this salary level, particularly in large tech companies or startups with equity compensation.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in emulation, and how can they overcome them?

Professionals in emulation roles often encounter challenges such as keeping pace with rapidly evolving hardware architectures and ensuring accurate replication of complex system behaviors. Debugging compatibility issues and optimizing for performance without sacrificing accuracy are also frequent hurdles. Collaboration with hardware engineers and software developers is vital, as is staying informed about new tools and best practices. Developing strong problem-solving skills and engaging with the emulation community can help address these challenges effectively.

What do emulation engineers do?

Emulation engineers design, develop, and maintain hardware or software systems that replicate the behavior of other devices or software environments. They often work with simulation tools, programming languages, and testing frameworks to ensure accurate performance and compatibility, supporting tasks like system validation and debugging.
More about Emulation jobs
What cities are hiring for Emulation jobs? Cities with the most Emulation job openings:
What states have the most Emulation jobs? States with the most job openings for Emulation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Emulation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Emulation jobs are:
Infographic showing various Emulation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,152 per year, or $52 per hour.
Emulation Engineer

Emulation Engineer

InterSources Inc.

Saratoga, CA โ€ข On-site

$44.50 - $50.75/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Responsibilities 

  • Develop and deliver emulation models from RTL using synthesis, partitioning, and routing tools.
  • Plan and execute simulation acceleration, emulation, and prototyping activities aligned with project milestones.
  • Design and implement high-performance transactors and emulation testbenches using SystemVerilog and C/C++/DPI.
  • Drive emulation methodologies for hardware verification and software/firmware development.
  • Build system-level use cases for execution on emulators and support platform bring-up.
  • Analyze emulation results, identify performance regressions, and triage issues.
  • Conduct power measurements and performance evaluations on emulation platforms.
  • Maintain and enhance emulation CI infrastructure to support autonomous performance exploration.
  • Collaborate with vendors to debug issues and deploy new emulation capabilities.
  • Interface with design, validation, and software teams to optimize emulation environments and workflows.

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering with a minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience, or Masterโ€™s degree with 5+ years of experience.
  • Strong background in ASIC logic/RTL design and emulation model development.

 

Required Skills

  • Proficiency in Verilog/SystemVerilog, C/C++, Python, and Unix Shell scripting.
  • Experience with emulation platforms such as Palladium, Veloce, Zebu, or FPGA prototyping.
  • Familiarity with emulation tools and methodologies including BFMs, transactors, and hybrid environments.
  • Ability to debug hardware issues using waveforms, logs, and trace dumps.
  • Experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) for automation and integration.
  • Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience in building workloads for pre-silicon environments.
  • Knowledge of emulation performance optimization techniques.
  • Exposure to system-level use case development and power/performance analysis.
  • Experience with computer networking protocols such as Ethernet.
  • Experience with network test equipment such as Ixia/Spirent traffic generators.

InterSources logo

About InterSources

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

In 2007, Our journey began as pioneers in the realm of technology and security. Since then, InterSources Inc. has evolved into a trusted partner, leading the way in Cloud Security, Cybersecurity, PLG Consulting, Digital Transformation, and Professional Services. With a rich history of excellence and a forward-thinking approach, we continue to secure your digital future and drive innovation. Explore our legacy of success and discover the possibilities that lie ahead.

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Fremont, CA, US

Year founded

2007

Social media