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Silicon Validation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Semtech

Silicon Validation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The Validation Engineer is responsible for pre- and post-silicon validation of mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs). Pre-silicon responsibilities include hardware emulation, FPGA prototyping, lab ...

ClinDCast LLC

Silicon Validation Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

We are looking for a Silicon Validation Engineer with experience in hardware validation and board bring-up. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience in lab environments, debugging hardware ...

Semtech

Silicon Validation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The Silicon Validation Engineer will create test plans, runand analyzelab measurements, author characterization reports, and contribute to overall verification coverage closure. The role requires ...

Intel Corporation

Silicon Validation Engineer

Folsom, CA · On-site

$179K - $200K/yr

Job Details:**## Join Intel as a Silicon Validation Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the functionality, performance, and reliability of Intel's cutting-edge silicon products ...

Intel Corporation

$179K - $200K/yr

Job Details:**## Join Intel as a Silicon Validation Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the functionality, performance, and reliability of Intel's cutting-edge silicon products ...

Apple

Silicon Validation Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

You'll work closely with engineers across silicon design, Design for Test (DFT), hardware, firmware, and software teams to investigate issues and communicate validation findings. This is a great ...

Apple

Silicon Validation Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

You'll work closely with engineers across silicon design, Design for Test (DFT), hardware, firmware, and software teams to investigate issues and communicate validation findings. This is a great ...

Intel Corporation

Silicon Validation Engineer

Folsom, CA · On-site

$179K - $200K/yr

Join Intel as a Silicon Validation Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the functionality, performance, and reliability of Intel's cutting-edge silicon products and technologies.

Apple

Silicon Validation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a DDR Silicon Validation Engineer, you will be at the forefront of innovation, performing critical lab characterization and validation of advanced analog and mixed-signal embedded circuits. This ...

Etched

Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$160K - $260K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Post Silicon Validation Engineer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for bringing up, validating, and ...

Apple

Silicon Validation Engineer

Waltham, MA · On-site

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and especially motivated Analog Mixed Signal IP Silicon Validation Engineer! As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the rare and great ...

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Silicon Validation Engineer information

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How much do silicon validation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for silicon validation engineer 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 a silicon validation engineer?

Silicon Validation Engineers are professionals responsible for testing and validating integrated circuits (ICs) or chips after they are manufactured. They verify that the hardware functions correctly according to design specifications by running a series of tests and debugging any identified issues. Their role ensures that the silicon meets performance, reliability, and functionality requirements before it goes into mass production. This position often requires strong skills in hardware debugging, test development, and collaboration with design and verification teams.

What are some common challenges faced by silicon validation engineers during the pre-silicon and post-silicon validation phases?

Silicon Validation Engineers often encounter challenges such as identifying and debugging complex hardware bugs, working with incomplete or evolving specifications, and managing tight project schedules. During pre-silicon validation, simulating real-world scenarios and ensuring test coverage can be difficult due to limitations in simulation speed and model accuracy. In post-silicon validation, engineers must efficiently reproduce and isolate issues using lab equipment, which requires strong problem-solving skills and close collaboration with design, firmware, and test teams to resolve defects quickly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a silicon validation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Silicon Validation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, digital/analog circuit design, and experience with test methodologies, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), scripting languages (such as Python or Perl), and validation tools (like UVM or SystemVerilog) is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for ensuring silicon products meet design specifications, function reliably, and are delivered on schedule.

What is the difference between Silicon Validation Engineer vs Digital Design Engineer?

AspectSilicon Validation EngineerDigital Design Engineer
Primary FocusVerifying silicon chips post-fabrication to ensure functionality and performanceDesigning and developing digital integrated circuits and systems
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, testing facilities, and cleanroomsDesign offices, CAD tools, and simulation environments
Required SkillsHardware testing, debugging, scripting, knowledge of chip architectureHardware description languages (HDL), digital logic design, simulation
Industry UsageSemiconductor companies, chip manufacturersSemiconductor, electronics, and tech companies

The Silicon Validation Engineer focuses on testing and verifying silicon chips after fabrication, ensuring they meet specifications. In contrast, the Digital Design Engineer is involved in designing digital circuits and systems before fabrication. Both roles require knowledge of hardware and digital logic, but their stages in the product lifecycle differ significantly.

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Silicon Validation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Silicon Validation Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,152 per year, or $52 per hour.

Silicon Validation Engineer

San Diego, CA • On-site

Semtech
Semiconductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Semtechexternal

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Location: San Diego, CA - Hybrid: 4 days in office, Friday remote
Our Team:
Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, enterprise computing, communications, and industrial equipment. As our future market opportunities have increased in recent years, we have continued to invest in disruptive analog platforms and have created innovative new solutions for a wide range of leading-edge products.
The Sensing Product Group located in our San Diego office has unique expertise in system-level platform solutions for Sensing Products including Touch & Proximity. These are leading edge low power touch-interface solutions integrated with highly accurate ADCs for enhanced sensing performance. These ultra-small, feature-rich sensing systems are optimized for a wide range of battery-powered, portable applications such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, handheld devices and other consumer, industrial or automotive control applications.
Job Summary:
The Validation Engineer is responsible for pre- and post-silicon validation of mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs). Pre-silicon responsibilities include hardware emulation, FPGA prototyping, lab testing and debug. Post-silicon responsibilities encompass IC bring-up, hardware-firmware debug, bench characterization of analog and mixed-signal performance, and systematic root-cause analysis of silicon and system-level issues. The Silicon Validation Engineer will create test plans, run and analyze lab measurements, author characterization reports, and contribute to overall verification coverage closure. The role requires hands-on proficiency with lab instruments and measurement setups, combined with strong programming and scripting skills for test automation and data analysis. The Silicon Validation Engineer will interface closely with design, verification, product/test, and applications teams throughout the product development cycle.
Responsibilities:
  • Validate pre-silicon and post-silicon hardware and software/firmware developed by the design team to achieve target specifications.

  • Define, debug and operate FPGA prototyping platforms for pre-silicon emulation and validations.

  • Lead silicon validation test plan for IC designs, develop lab hardware and evaluation setup, drive bring-up and debug, run and analyze measurements.

  • Develop tests that exercise the features of the design under test. Write scripts and instrument drivers to automate the validation. Leverage AI-assisted development tools and workflows for lab measurement automation, data analysis, and prototyping.

  • Execute analog and mixed-signal performance characterization across corner conditions. Correlate measured with design expected results.

  • Design and develop fixtures and other components to support validation.

  • Analyze findings, debug hardware and software/firmware, and report to the design team.

  • Author test plans, characterization reports, and documentation for reviews.

  • Interface with system, digital, software/firmware, analog, verification and cross-functional teams.

  • Provide technical support to test, product, and application engineers.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of work experience in hardware and software validation of semiconductors, electronic components, or similar

  • B.S. or M.S. in Electrical or Computer Engineering

  • Strong analytical, synthesis and problem-solving skills

  • Hands-on experience with lab instruments - logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, supplies, multimeters - and the associated measurement methods

  • Proficiency in C/C++, scripting languages (Python), SW development, embedded systems

  • Experience with standard hardware protocols (e.g. I2C, I3C, SPI, MIPI, GPIB, JTAG, PCIe, etc.)

  • Exposure to development boards, processors, microcontrollers, and FPGAs (e.g. AMD Vivado, etc.)

  • Independent, self-motivated, rigorous, team player and able to follow through

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Willing and able to work onsite in San Diego, California

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with integrated circuit bring-up, pre/post-silicon validation, digital systems
  • Experience in AI coding tools (e.g. Cursor, Claude, GitHub Copilot) and associated workflows

  • Experience with MCU-based systems (e.g. ARM, RISC-V, PIC, STM32)

  • Knowledge of RTL (SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL), FPGA tools, or Matlab

  • Familiarity with analog/mixed-signal circuit concepts and testing techniques

  • Experience with version control systems (Git) and scripted regression frameworks

The intent of this job description is to describe the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically included in this description.
All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.
A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $94,000 - $134,000 USD. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education and experience, as well as job location and the value of other elements of an employee's total compensation package.
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