Hardware System Validation Engineer

Apple•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Join the system validation team at Apple's Hardware Engineering, where we validate system-level performance of Apple SoCs and other key modules (cameras, displays, and other state-of-the-art sensors) in a system environment that mirrors real product use. In this role, you will: Work closely with functional test writers to understand high level architectures of each IP blocks within Apple SoCs and define applicable validation plans. You will then execute such system tests, through scripts/automation framework, on large volume of prototype SoCs across Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) corners. Looking for any potential issues, as well as characterizing the functional voltage (lvcc) of SoCs under such workloads. When issue occurs, you will be the first line of debugger to triage issues and isolate/bucketize failures. Work with domain experts to define DoEs, come up with root cause theories, and test possible workarounds. In addition, you will characterize functional voltages (lvcc) of SoCs under system workloads, analyze data across voltage domains, provide feedbacks to PE (product engineers) to define product operation voltages as well as recommend contents to testing/screening environment. Develop and execute these system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles. Creation of new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing. Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems. Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related field
5+ years of experience with hardware/software architecture and interoperability of complex systems
Scripting proficiency in Python; comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks
Experience in one of the following: hardware system design and integration, SoC design/integration, debug/testing, or validation
Experience with SoC bring up, familiar with computer architectures (cache, memory hierarchy, data pipelines) and logic design
Experience in silicon validation software engineering or related field
Experience with embedded system debug
Experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and thermal chambers
Strong proficiency in Python and Lua; proficient in Shell scripting.
Familiarity with industry standards (USB, PCIe, DDR, etc.)
General software development experience (Python, C++, log review, code review)
Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

Work closely with functional test writers to understand high level architectures of each IP blocks within Apple SoCs and define applicable validation plans.
Execute system tests, through scripts/automation framework, on large volume of prototype SoCs across Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) corners.
Look for any potential issues, as well as characterizing the functional voltage (lvcc) of SoCs under such workloads.
Triage issues and isolate/bucketize failures as the first line of debugger.
Work with domain experts to define DoEs, come up with root cause theories, and test possible workarounds.
Characterize functional voltages (lvcc) of SoCs under system workloads, analyze data across voltage domains, provide feedbacks to PE (product engineers) to define product operation voltages as well as recommend contents to testing/screening environment.
Develop and execute system tests, leveraging scripts and automation frameworks, on a large volume of engineering prototypes throughout the product life cycles.
Create new test methodologies to expand test coverage to new modalities including optical / computer-vision based testing.
Optimize test and calibration flows for hardware sub-systems.
Apply AI/ML techniques for test data mining, anomaly detection, and factory data analytics.