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Post Silicon Validation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Welcome to the Post-Silicon Validation Team at Cisco! Ourgroup offers a unique combination of a startup culture with the benefits of working for the leading networking company in the world. You will ...

Welcome to the Post-Silicon Validation Team at Cisco! Our group offers a unique combination of a startup culture with the benefits of working for the leading networking company in the world. You will ...

We are seeking a Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to drive the bring-up, characterization, and debugging of our next-generation Ethernet and PCIe Retimer chips . This role heavily focuses on advanced ...

We are seeking a Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to drive the bring-up, characterization, and debugging of our next-generation Ethernet and PCIe Retimer chips . This role heavily focuses on advanced ...

We are seeking a Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to drive the bring-up, characterization, and debugging of our next-generation Ethernet and PCIe Retimer chips . This role heavily focuses on advanced ...

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Post Silicon Validation information

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How much do post silicon validation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for post silicon validation in the United States is $50.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.66 and $61.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Post Silicon Validation vs Silicon Validation Engineer?

AspectPost Silicon ValidationSilicon Validation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentPost-production testing, debugging, and validation on actual silicon chipsPre-silicon testing, simulation, and verification of chip designs
Industry UsagePrimarily after chip fabrication, focusing on real hardwareDuring design phase, before fabrication, focusing on verification
Common Search/ComparisonPost Silicon Validation vs Silicon Validation Engineer

Post Silicon Validation involves testing and validating chips after fabrication to ensure they meet specifications, while Silicon Validation Engineers focus on verifying chip designs before manufacturing. Both roles require similar technical backgrounds but differ in timing, environment, and specific tasks within the chip development lifecycle.

What is Post Silicon Validation?

Post Silicon Validation is the process of testing and verifying a semiconductor chip’s functionality, performance, and reliability after it has been manufactured. This stage is critical because it helps ensure that the hardware operates as intended in real-world conditions, identifying any issues that may not have been detected during pre-silicon simulation or emulation. Engineers use specialized test setups to validate features, diagnose bugs, and work closely with design teams to resolve any defects. Successful post silicon validation helps ensure product quality and reduces the risk of costly recalls or failures after the chip is released to customers.

What does a post-silicon validation engineer do?

A post-silicon validation engineer tests and verifies the functionality and performance of integrated circuits after manufacturing. They develop test plans, analyze test results, and identify issues to ensure the chip meets design specifications, often using specialized tools and debugging techniques. This role is critical for ensuring product reliability before mass production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Post Silicon Validation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Post Silicon Validation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital design, and experience with silicon debugging, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDL), lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), and tools like JTAG, as well as scripting languages such as Python or Perl, is typically required. Attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for diagnosing complex issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensuring that silicon chips meet design specifications and function reliably before mass production.

What is the salary of validation engineer in post silicon?

The salary of a post-silicon validation engineer typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in hardware debugging and verification tools may earn higher compensation.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, hardware, or systems engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries like technology or semiconductor manufacturing. Roles like senior hardware validation engineers or lead engineers in high-tech companies often reach this compensation level through base salary, bonuses, and stock options.

What are some common challenges faced in Post Silicon Validation, and how can candidates prepare to address them?

Post Silicon Validation engineers often encounter challenges such as debugging complex hardware-software interactions, reproducing intermittent failures, and working with limited documentation or pre-silicon models. To address these, candidates should develop strong problem-solving skills, gain hands-on experience with lab equipment, and become proficient in scripting and automation tools. Collaborating closely with design, firmware, and test teams is also essential to efficiently pinpoint issues and implement solutions, making strong communication skills highly valuable.

What jobs will be left by 2030?

Post Silicon Validation roles involve testing semiconductor chips before mass production and are expected to evolve with advancements in AI and automation. While some manual testing jobs may decrease, roles requiring specialized knowledge of hardware design, verification tools, and automation scripting will continue to be in demand, especially as technology becomes more complex. Adaptability and skills in tools like simulation software and hardware debugging will be valuable for future job security.
More about Post Silicon Validation jobs
What cities are hiring for Post Silicon Validation jobs? Cities with the most Post Silicon Validation job openings:
What states have the most Post Silicon Validation jobs? States with the most job openings for Post Silicon Validation jobs include:
Infographic showing various Post Silicon Validation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 97% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,945 per year, or $50.5 per hour.
HW Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

HW Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

Cisco

San Jose, CA • On-site

$152K - $219K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Cisco Systems rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 06/26/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the team:

Welcome to the Post-Silicon Validation Team at Cisco! Ourgroup offers a unique combination of a startup culture with the benefits of working for the leading networking company in the world. You will engage in dynamic collaboration with verification engineers, designers, and cross-functional teams, working together to ensure the successful verification of the ASIC throughout its lifecycle.

Operating at the forefront of technology, we work with cutting-edge, high-speed, and power-hungry devices. Our small, but highly influential team thrives in this challenging environment, leveraging our expertise to impact the future of networking technology. With a commitment to excellence and a passion transformative technology, we are shaping the future of high-performance Networking and delivering unparalleled value in every project we undertake. Join us and be a part of a team where professionalism meets impact

Your Impact:

We are seeking a Post-Silicon Validation Engineer with a strong interest in hands-on, lab-intensive hardware validation to support testing and debug of networking silicon. This role is heavily focused on working in silicon validation labs, bringing up new hardware, performing detailed electrical and protocol measurements, and owning root-cause analysis of silicon and board-level issues. The position offers extensive exposure to networking silicon, high-speed interfaces, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Key Responsibilities
  • Perform hands-on post-silicon electrical validation in lab environments for networking ASICs, and evaluation platforms

  • Support early-silicon bring-up activities

  • Execute detailed hardware validation plans covering functionality charactarization, performance, and reliability

  • Set up, configure, and maintain lab benches, boards and test equipment

  • Assist with power-on, reset sequencing, clock bring-up, and strap configuration

  • Perform voltage, current, and signal integrity measurements

  • Capture and analyze waveforms, eye diagrams, jitter, PDN measurements and error metrics

  • Help isolate silicon, board, or signal integrity issues under guidance

  • Validate Ethernet MAC/PHY and high-speed interfaces such as PCIe and SerDes

  • Assist with link training, lane margining, and BER testing

  • Support packet-level validation using traffic generators and protocol analyzers

  • Operate oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, protocol analyzers, and multimeters

  • Use lab automation tools and scripts to control equipment and capture data

  • Use thermal chambers and chillers to perform temperature related tests

  • Perform minor soldering re-work on test boards.

  • Follow ESD, safety, and lab best practices at all times

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with a minimum 3 years of experience (internships, co-ops, or academic lab experience acceptable)

  • Prior experience in electronics, digital logic, and signal integrity concepts

  • Experience in schematics/Layout files and understand board-level designs

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with silicon bring-up or hardware validation labs

  • Experience with: DDR5, USB3.0, SGMII, PCIe Gen3.x, USB2.0, eMMC, SPI, MDIO, I2C, UART.

  • Exposure to Ethernet, PCIe, or SerDes testing

  • Experience with high-speed measurement techniques (eye diagrams, BER, jitter)

  • Experience for lab automation (Python)

  • Understanding of networking fundamentals and packet-based systems

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:The starting salary range posted for this position is $152,500.00 to $219,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$152,500.00 - $252,000.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$135,800.00 - $224,400.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.


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About Cisco Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

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