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Principal Verification Engineer Jobs in California

Sr. Principal AMS Verification Engineer Posting Start Date: 6/15/26 Job Location(s): Austin, Cedar Rapids, Irvine, Newbury Park, San Jose If you are looking for a challenging and exciting career in ...

Principal Design Engineer: M.S. in E.E. with 12+ years' experience, or Ph.D. in E.E. with 8+ years ... Perform the functional verification and timing analysis on the IPs and the blocks. * Work with the ...

Perform the functional verification and timing analysis on the IPs and the blocks. * Work with the ... Principal Design Engineer: M.S. in E.E. with 12+ years' experience, or Ph.D. in E.E. with 8+ years ...

Principal Engineer, Verification

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$159K/yr

Strong verification skills, understanding of methodology (object-oriented programming, white-box/black-box, directed/random testing, coverage, gate-level simulations, data structure). Other Skills:

Showing results 41-60

Principal Verification Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal verification engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal verification engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal verification engineer?

A Principal Verification Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading the verification process of complex hardware or software systems, ensuring that designs meet all specifications and functional requirements. They develop and implement verification strategies, create test plans, and oversee the execution of simulation and validation activities. Principal Verification Engineers often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with design and architecture teams, and play a key role in identifying and resolving critical design issues. Their work is essential for delivering high-quality, reliable products in industries such as semiconductor, electronics, and automotive. This role typically requires extensive experience in verification methodologies and strong problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal verification engineer?

A Principal Verification Engineer needs deep expertise in digital design, verification methodologies (such as UVM or SystemVerilog), and a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Mastery of simulation tools (like ModelSim or VCS), scripting languages (Perl, Python), and familiarity with hardware description languages are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help in leading teams and collaborating across engineering functions. These competencies ensure rigorous product validation, efficient project execution, and high-quality semiconductor or hardware releases.

What are some common challenges faced by a principal verification engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Principal Verification Engineers often navigate complex verification environments, tight project timelines, and coordination across multiple teams. A key challenge is ensuring comprehensive test coverage while managing evolving design specifications. Effective communication with design and firmware teams, proactive identification of verification gaps, and leveraging advanced verification methodologies (such as constrained-random testing and formal verification) can help address these challenges. Additionally, mentoring junior engineers and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing are vital for team success.

What is the difference between Principal Verification Engineer vs Verification Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Verification EngineerVerification Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; extensive experience in verification methodologiesUsually holds a Bachelor's or Master's in a relevant engineering discipline; less extensive experience needed
Work EnvironmentLeads verification teams, designs verification strategies, and oversees complex projectsPerforms verification tasks, runs tests, and documents results under supervision
Industry UsageCommonly found in semiconductor, electronics, and hardware industriesWidely used across similar industries for testing and validation roles

The Principal Verification Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and oversees verification processes, while Verification Engineers focus on executing tests and validating designs. Both roles are essential in ensuring product quality but differ in scope and seniority.

What job categories do people searching Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Verification Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Principal Verification Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Principal Physical Verification Engineer

San Jose, CA

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Senior/Principal Full-Chip Physical Verification Engineer
Key Responsibilities
Team & Project Leadership
• Lead full chip Physical Verification effort
• Own execution plans, schedules for full-chip
• Drive accountability for quality, milestones, and tapeout readiness.
• Conduct full chip and blocks PV checks
Physical Verification Ownership
• Ownership of full chip verification
• Work with internal analog team to ensure clean IP delivery
• Responsible for running and analyzing DRC/ERC/LUP/PERC results
• Experience with using either ICV or Calibre verification tools
• Understanding advance TSMC DRC rules
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with analog, block, chip top owners to ensure clean floorplan
• Provide early guidance on corner case requirements
• Influence floorplan constraints, hierarchy, and implementation strategy
• Participate in tapeout readiness reviews
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience with full-chip verifications
Proven hands-on experience with:
• Physical Verification tool (ICV/Calibre)
• Able to assemble a flow to support block/chip level PV
Strong expertise in:
• Floorplanning to avoid DRC/LVS issues
• Provide guidance to analog IP team to allow for clean integration
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in advanced technology nodes (7nm, 5nm, 3nm)
• Automation skills using Tcl, Python, or shell scripting
Annual Base Salary Range: $150,000 - $250,000 (The final offer will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and location)