Role & seniority: SoC Functional Validation Engineer (experienced)

Stack/tools: Embedded C; ARM-based SoCs; high-speed interfaces (PCIe Gen6, LPDDR5, HBM3, die-to-die links); ARM cache-coherent interconnects; pre-silicon emulation (HAPS/Zebu) and post-silicon validation; bare-metal test development; validation frameworks; FPGA-based test platforms

Top 3 responsibilities

Perform functional validation and bring-up of next-gen SoCs with high-end ARM CPUs across pre-silicon to post-silicon stages
Develop/execute bare-metal C test cases; validate interfaces (LPDDR, PCIe, Ethernet, HBM, CPUs, Coherent Mesh, UART/I2C/I3C/SPI); debug across HW/FW
Debug, diagnose, and root-cause failures; maintain validation infrastructure; collaborate with Architects, RTL, Electrical Test, and Firmware; support silicon bring-up milestones and production handoff

Must-have skills

Strong Embedded C for low-level validation/debug
Proven experience validating high-end ARM-based SoCs
Solid understanding of ARM cache-coherent interconnects and CPU subsystems
Hands-on validation of high-speed interfaces (PCIe up to Gen6, LPDDR5, HBM3); pre-silicon/emulation and post-silicon hardware
Robust debugging across hardware, firmware, and system levels

Nice-to-haves

Python scripting for test automation
Direct silicon bring-up or early hardware validation experience
Experience with high-speed interface drivers; multi-die or mesh-based SoC architectures
Locatio

Full Description

Location: Bristol, UK | Onsite initially (approx. 1 month), then Hybrid

Contract Duration: 12 Months (Extension review after 6 months)

Candidate Location: Europe & UK (must be open to travel)

Note: Candidates must hold a valid passport or visa allowing travel to the UK.

About the Role

We are supporting a leading semiconductor innovator in hiring an experienced SoC Functional Validation Engineer to work on next-generation System-on-Chip platforms. This role focuses on functional validation and bring-up of complex SoCs featuring high-end ARM CPUs and advanced high-speed interfaces, from pre-silicon to post-silicon stages.
You will work closely with architecture, RTL, electrical characterization, and firmware teams to ensure first-time-right silicon readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Perform functional validation and bring-up of next-generation SoC platforms based on high-end ARM processors.
Execute interface bring-up and validation across LPDDR, PCIe, Ethernet, HBM, CPUs, Coherent Mesh, and low-speed IOs (UART, I2C, I3C, SPI).
Develop and execute bare-metal C test cases for SoC validation and debug.
Debug and validate designs using FPGA-based HAPS / Zebu emulation platforms and transition to silicon-based target hardware.
Design, enhance, and maintain validation test infrastructure and frameworks.
Analyze failures, root-cause issues across hardware and firmware layers, and drive resolution.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Architects, RTL Verification, Electrical Test & Characterization, and Production Firmware teams.
Support silicon bring-up milestones, validation reviews, and readiness for production handoff.
Contribute to documentation, validation plans, and best practices for SoC bring-up and debug.

Essential Skills & Experience

Strong hands-on experience in Embedded C for low-level validation and debug.
Proven experience validating high-end ARM-based SoCs.
Solid understanding of ARM cache-coherent interconnects and CPU subsystems.
Hands-on validation of high-speed interfaces such as PCIe (up to Gen6), LPDDR5, HBM3, and die-to-die links.
Experience working on pre-silicon (emulation) and post-silicon (real hardware) platforms.
Strong debugging skills across hardware, firmware, and system-level issues.

Desirable Skills

Python scripting for test automation and validation flows.
Direct experience with silicon bring-up and early hardware validation.

SoC Functional Validation Engineer