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Silicon Validation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The PMU team is looking for qualified, motivated silicon validation engineers from a variety of skill levels. We are a fast-growing and highly diverse group, and you will work as part of a team doing ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

... of our silicon validation tools in pre-silicon (FPGAs) and post-silicon (development boards) • Debug functional silicon failures closely with Design and DV counterparts Minimum Qualifications ...

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 ...

... of our silicon validation tools in pre-silicon (FPGAs) and post-silicon (development boards) • Debug functional silicon failures closely with Design and DV counterparts Minimum Qualifications ...

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 ...

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 ...

... silicon validation tools in pre-silicon (FPGAs) and post-silicon (development boards) • Debug functional silicon failures closely with Design and DV counterparts Preferred Qualifications BS or MS ...

Showing results 41-60

Silicon Validation information

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$47.5K

$105.4K

$160.5K

How much do silicon validation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for silicon validation in the United States is $105,415.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $132,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectSilicon ValidationSilicon Design Engineer
Primary FocusTesting and verifying silicon chips post-fabricationDesigning and developing silicon chips from concept to layout
Skills & CertificationsHardware testing, scripting, verification tools, FPGA experienceVLSI design, CAD tools, digital logic, HDL proficiency
Work EnvironmentLab testing, hardware debugging, collaboration with validation teamsDesign labs, CAD software, collaboration with design teams
Industry UsageUsed in semiconductor companies, hardware firms, and validation labsUsed in chip design companies, semiconductor firms, and R&D departments

Silicon Validation focuses on testing and verifying chips after manufacturing, ensuring functionality and performance. Silicon Design Engineers create the chip architecture and layout before fabrication. Both roles require technical skills but differ in their stage of involvement in the chip development process.

What is silicon validation?

Silicon validation is the process of testing and verifying integrated circuits (ICs) or chips after they have been manufactured, to ensure they function as intended in real-world conditions. This involves running a series of tests to check for defects, performance issues, and compliance with design specifications. Silicon validation is a critical step before mass production, as it helps identify and resolve any issues that may have been missed during earlier design and simulation phases. The process typically includes both functional and electrical testing, often using specialized hardware and software tools.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in silicon validation, and how can they be managed effectively?

Professionals in silicon validation often encounter challenges such as debugging complex hardware issues, tight project deadlines, and the need to quickly adapt to evolving specifications. Managing these difficulties typically involves collaborating closely with design, verification, and software teams to isolate and resolve bugs efficiently. Staying organized, maintaining clear documentation, and leveraging automated validation tools can also help streamline workflows and mitigate time pressure. Continuous learning and proactive communication are key to navigating the fast-paced nature of silicon validation projects.

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 or computer engineering, with expertise in digital and analog circuit fundamentals. Familiarity with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), scripting languages (Python, Perl), and validation tools, as well as knowledge of relevant industry standards, is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for diagnosing issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure thorough validation of silicon chips, leading to robust, high-quality products and successful project outcomes.
More about Silicon Validation jobs
What cities are hiring for Silicon Validation jobs? Cities with the most Silicon Validation job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Silicon Validation jobs? The most popular types of Silicon Validation jobs are:
What states have the most Silicon Validation jobs? States with the most job openings for Silicon Validation jobs include:
Infographic showing various Silicon Validation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 50% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 38% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,415 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Principal Post Silicon Validation Engineer (Bringup)

Graphcore

Austin, TX • On-site

$241K - $326K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Principal Post Silicon Validation Engineer (Bringup)

Salary $241,100 - $326,100 + Phantom Equity + Benefits 

Graphcore is a globally recognised leader in Artificial Intelligence computing systems. The company designs advanced semiconductors and data centre hardware that provide the specialised processing power needed to drive AI innovation, while delivering the efficiency required to support its broader adoption.  

As part of the SoftBank Group, Graphcore is a member of an elite family of companies responsible for some of the world's most transformative technologies. We are opening a new AI Engineering Campus in Austin which will play a central role in Graphcore's work building the future of AI computing.  

We are looking to hire Post-Silicon Validation Engineers to join our collaborative, cross-functional development team validating cutting edge, high performance AI chips and platforms. You will play a critical role in supporting new product introductions and post-silicon validation. Working within the Post-Silicon Validation team, you will be involved with bringing first silicon to life, functionally validating it and working closely with many other teams to help it become a fully characterised and working product, reporting project status/progress to program management on a regular basis. You will have the opportunity to, and be responsible for, leading, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to other engineering team members. In this role, you can leverage your experience and industry knowledge to architect and drive implementation of continuous improvements to test infrastructure and processes. 

The Post-Silicon Validation team sits within the Architecture and Validation team, we are responsible for validation of new silicon when it returns from manufacture, enabling and supporting the production SW and FW teams to bring up their software and also supporting the Silicon Characterisation team. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

  • Plan, design, develop and debug silicon validation tests in bare metal C/C++ on FPGA/Emulator prior to first silicon 
  • Deploy silicon validation tests on first silicon and debugging them 
  • Develop automated test framework and regression test suites in Python to optimize validation efficiency 
  • Collaborate closely with engineers from many other disciplines on a variety of topics 
  • Work with Validation and Production Test engineering peers to implement best practices and continuous improvements to test methodologies 
  • Analyse test results, identify and debug failures/defects 
  • Contribute to shared test and validation infrastructure 
  • Provide feedback to architects 

Essential skills: 

  • Strong experience in Bare metal / embedded C/C++ 
  • Good knowledge of digital ASICs
  • Be highly motivated, a self starter, and a team player 
  • Ability to work across teams and programming languages to find root causes of deep and complex issues 
  • Experience of the post-silicon validation process applied in digital ASIC environments 
  • Python, Linux 
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with others to solve problems
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical & diagnostic skills 

Desirable skills: 

  • Driver level experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable: 
    • PCIe 
    • Ethernet 
    • Memory technologies (LPDDR, DDR, HBM, ...) 
    • Other peripherals such as I2C, I3C, SPI, ... 
  • Good knowledge of mixed-signal building blocks such as PLLs, high speed PHYs and IC control/communication protocols is highly desirable
  • Experience of Arm CPUs, System IPand debug tools
  • Experience of AMBA protocols
  • Understanding of ML applications and their workloads
  • Experience in Characterization, Failure Analysis, Test Development, Statistical analysis, and Customer Support 

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers a competitive benefits package. We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we're committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.