Validation Engineer

TEKsystems•Roseville, CA

1d•$65 - $100•Onsite

About The Position

Microchip’s Data Center Solutions Business Unit (DCS) delivers industry leading performance, reliability, and security in Storage Controllers, Memory Controllers, NVMe SSD Controllers, PCIe Switches and SAS Expanders that are applied in Cloud Storage and Compute Data Centers, and Storage Area Networks. As a System Validation Engineer, you will join a group of world class talented system integrators responsible for the bring-up, integration and validation of cutting-edge System on a Chip (SoC) products for the Data Center Solutions Business Unit. A validation engineer is responsible for designing and building infrastructure that is required to integrate and validate the SoC for its intended use models. This involves building the entire prototype ecosystem like boards, FPGAs, FW, Software and Automation suites. And then further integrating this environment with internally developed test equipment, protocol analyzers, exercisers and x86 based HW. A validation engineer develops a comprehensive test plan by utilizing design specifications, marketing requirements and newly drafted standards including PCIe, CXL, DDR4/5, SAS, SATA, NAND flash and other standards commonly used in Cloud Data and Compute Centers or Storage Area Networks. Using validation infrastructure and the test plan, a validation engineer develops and executes pre- and post-silicon tests that fully exercise the prototype SoC and embedded FW. The primary skill of validation engineers is to develop and integrate complex systems, test, debug, and problem solve. On the job you will gain intimate understanding of relevant protocol specifications, IP design and become expert in SOCs design/architecture, isolating problems, and finding solutions. The job provides excellent opportunity to grow domain knowledge and become an expert in these leading-edge fields. The validation work environment offers opportunity to interact closely with other groups like design, FW, pre-silicon emulation, verification, applications, and have a prospect for job rotation or transfers within the company.

Requirements

Experience in IC and SoC functional validation
Demonstrate expertise in specific validation subject areas.
Experience working with prototype ICs, boards and HW infrastructure
Experience working in lab environment and knowledge of relevant test equipment and protocol analyzers.
Experience in debug and investigation of SoC’s using FW and MIPS debug environment
Strong knowledge of digital system and computer architecture
Strong knowledge of Data Communication and Digital Design theory
Strong knowledge of scripting language such as Python or Tcl/Tk, proficiency in C/C++ programming
Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to develop and execute functional validation plans and necessary validation software and scripts with minimum supervision.
Working knowledge of PCIe and/or SAS/SATA protocols and ability to read and analyze protocol traces.
Familiarity with DDR4/5, I2C, SPI protocols is an asset
Experience in defining comprehensive test coverage at sub-block and system level utilizing design specification, feature requirements and industry standards
Ability to quickly learn new technologies, protocols, and standards
Comfortable working with developing specs and standards.
Team player working well with peers and cross functional groups.
Strong communications and interpersonal skills
Experience working in Linux and Windows based OS environments.
Prior prototype SOC integration and validation experience is a must have.
Demonstrated experience testing, debugging and problem-solving complex SOC is a must as well.
Protocols knowledge PCIe or SAS/SATA are very important as well as experience capturing and reviewing protocol traces.
Defining test coverage and building, scripting and automating complex test benches

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with DDR4/5, I2C, SPI protocols is an asset

Responsibilities

Building and maintaining validation infrastructure through the development of boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers and test bench scripts.
Developing block, subsystem and system level test FW and scripts, and further integrating them in to best-in-class test automation suites.
Leading activities in area of technical expertise.
Running complex tests and conducting investigations in a lab environment onsite and remotely.
Finding and reporting bugs. Working with cross expertise teams and leading efforts to isolate, investigate and solve them.
Learning and dynamically applying knowledge of the device, system, protocols, and industry standards.
Effectively presenting technical information to internal and external groups.
Integrating prototype SOC HW and FW into a complete solution. This includes working with emulation platforms, proto-ICs, validation boards, FW and SW to bring an entire system level solution to life and enable functional testing and FW development.
Develop, execute, and document a series of feature tests that will fully validate the operation of the SoC and its various functional HW blocks and FW to ensure all components and the overall SoC is functioning per design specs, achieves expected performance and meets industry requirements and standards.