Senior Hardware Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

Cisco

Hardware Post-Silicon Validation Engineer at Cisco responsible for lab-intensive hardware validation of networking silicon. Engaging with cross-functional teams to ensure successful verification of ASIC throughout its lifecycle.

Posted 7/29/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $167,700 - $245,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in post-silicon electrical validation, hardware bring-up, and lab-based silicon debug, with a strong focus on high-speed measurement techniques and scripting for lab automation. Proficient in analyzing signal integrity and power integrity while leading validation efforts for networking ASICs and interfaces.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Post-Silicon Electrical ValidationHardware Bring-UpSignal Integrity AnalysisHigh-Speed Measurement TechniquesScripting for Lab Automation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Electrical ValidationHardware DebugSignal IntegrityPower IntegrityHigh-Speed InterfacesSchematic ReviewLab AutomationThermal TestingFeature EnablementPerformance Characterization

Tools & Technologies

OscilloscopeLogic AnalyzerProtocol AnalyzerBERTVNATraffic GeneratorsChambersChillersPython

Industry Keywords

Networking ASICsEthernet MAC/PHYPCIeDDR5USB 3.xSGMIIEMMCSPIMDIOI2C

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead hands-on post-silicon electrical validation in lab environments for networking ASICs and evaluation platforms
Own early-silicon bring-up activities from first power-on through feature enablement
Define, execute, and refine detailed hardware validation plans covering functionality characterization, performance, and reliability
Drive validation readiness, lab infrastructure setup, and test coverage strategy
Lead power-on sequencing, reset strategy validation, clock bring-up, and strap configuration
Perform in-depth voltage, current, power integrity (PDN), and signal integrity analysis
Capture, analyze, and interpret waveforms, eye diagrams, jitter, BER, PDN measurements, power supply stability and noise
Independently isolate and root-cause silicon, package, board, or signal integrity issues
Lead validation of Ethernet MAC/PHY and high-speed interfaces such as PCIe and SerDes
Oversee packet-level validation using traffic generators and protocol analyzers
Validate system-level behavior under real-world networking workloads
Advanced-level operation of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, protocol analyzers, BERTs, and multimeters
Develop and maintain lab automation using scripts and frameworks (e.g., Python)
Plan and execute thermal testing using chambers and chillers across operating ranges

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of experience in post-silicon electrical validation, hardware bring-up and lab-based silicon debug, or Master's degree in related field and 3+ years of experience, or PhD in related field and 1+ years of experience
Experience in electronics, digital logic, signal integrity, and power integrity
Experience in high-speed measurement techniques (eye diagrams, BER, jitter, compliance testing)
Experience with interfaces such as DDR5, USB 3.x, SGMII, PCIe, USB2.0, eMMC, SPI, MDIO, I2C, and UART
Experience with Reading and Reviewing schematics and layout files for complex boards
Preferred: Hands-on experience with silicon bring-up and post-silicon validation labs
Scripting skills for lab automation and data analysis (Python preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
paid parental leave
short and long-term disability coverage
basic life insurance
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year
flexible vacation time off program
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date
up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
Additional paid time away for critical issues
10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer