SoC Embedded SW/Linux Validation Engineer

NXP Semiconductors • Austin, TX

2d

About The Position

We are looking for an SoC Validation Engineer with a strong embedded SW background and, more specifically, Linux kernel/driver programming and debug experience. The selected candidate will work on developing validation infrastructure and validation of SoC, developing and debugging embedded C code in bare metal environment. The candidate will also use Linux as a validation vehicle for the SoCs, bringing up and debugging Linux kernel on emulation and silicon platforms to find SoC design issues. The validation will require understanding SoC architecture and design specifications of specific IPs, developing validation test plans working with partner teams such as design/verification/SW, developing validation drivers and test content, executing validation content on emulation and silicon, and debugging failures. The validation drivers and test content may be bare metal and/or OS based (Linux, RTOS).

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in embedded SW and Linux kernel/driver programming
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
• Experienced in Linux kernel builds and Linux ramdisk creation; booting and debugging Linux on emulation and validation platforms.
• Able to read and understand SoC architecture and design specifications for various IPs.
• Experienced in C programming language and build environment such as makefiles, compiler flags, and linker scripts.
• Ability to develop scripts (such as Python) to post-process executable images into platform loadable images (emulation and validation boards).
• Exposure to assembly level programming (Preferably ARM32/ARM64)
• Ability to debug SoC using features such as Trace32, TARMAC instruction traces, and waveform traces; Debug skills include development of CMM scripts and ability to recreate test (code) given detailed explanation of a specific failure.
• Understanding of multi-core environment in an SoC and bus infrastructure.
• Understanding of interrupt controllers, DMA, GPIO.
• Peripheral understanding useful (UART, I2C, PCIe, etc.)
• Understanding of SoC low power modes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain validation infrastructure to support comprehensive SoC validation efforts
• Validate SoC functionality using both bare‑metal and OS‑based environments
• Plan, develop, execute, and debug SoC functional tests in embedded C code in bare‑metal environments on both emulation and silicon platforms
• Use Linux as a validation vehicle by bringing up and debugging the Linux kernel and select applications on emulation and silicon platforms
• Identify, isolate, and debug SoC design issues through low‑level software and system analysis; Work design and verification teams in root causing the issues.
• Gain deep understanding of SoC architectures and IP‑level design specifications
• Create detailed validation test plans in collaboration with design, verification, product engineering, and software teams
• Support validation across multiple software environments, including bare‑metal, Linux, and RTOS

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior