Silicon Validation Engineer Jobs

Engineers who prove a chip works once it comes back from the fab. The last check before silicon reaches customers.

Open roles
9
Hiring companies
6

Silicon Validation Engineers test real chips in the lab to confirm they meet their specification across voltage, temperature and process variation. They write test software, build or specify validation boards, and work with design teams to find the cause of anything that does not behave as expected.

The role suits engineers who like both hardware and software. Adverts ask for lab skills with high-speed equipment, scripting in Python, and an understanding of the interfaces being validated, such as SerDes, memory or power management.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Silicon Validation Engineer

Validation work runs in phases around tape-outs, with planning before silicon arrives and intensive lab work after.

  1. 01
    Write validation plans from the chip specification.
  2. 02
    Automate test sequences in Python.
  3. 03
    Characterise performance across voltage and temperature.
  4. 04
    Debug failures with design and verification teams.
  5. 05
    Report results that decide whether silicon is ready to ship.
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 13 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
77%
Signal Integrity
54%
Test Automation
31%
LabVIEW
23%
PCB Layout
23%
Electronic Circuit Design
23%
Prototype Development
23%
Software Development
23%
System Validation
23%
Hardware Validation
15%
Linux
15%
Post-Silicon Validation
15%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for silicon validation engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Associate Validation Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Runs and automates validation tests under the direction of senior engineers.

  2. Level 2

    Silicon Validation Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Owns validation of a block or interface from plan to sign-off.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Silicon Validation Engineer

    5–10 yrs

    Leads validation of a chip or sub-system and drives root-cause analysis.

  4. Level 4

    Staff / Principal Validation Engineer

    10+ yrs

    Sets validation strategy and infrastructure across a product family.

Pathway

How to become a Silicon Validation Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Study electronic engineering

    Degrees in electronic engineering or physics give the right foundation.

  2. 2

    Learn lab and scripting skills

    Instrument control, Python and measurement technique are core.

  3. 3

    Join a validation or test team

    Entry roles at semiconductor companies build experience with real silicon.

  4. 4

    Own an interface

    Specialise in a high-speed interface, power or mixed-signal validation.

  5. 5

    Lead chip sign-off

    Take responsibility for whether a product is ready for customers.

Live jobs

9 live roles

See all 9 roles →
HAYS Specialist Recruitment logo

HAYS Specialist Recruitment · 1001–5000 people · Public

System Validation Engineer

  • Fareham
  • Hybrid · 3 days in office
  • £70,000 – £75,000 pa
  • Senior
  • Permanent

Support the integration of semiconductor products into customer devices, testing internal developments and providing direct technical support for design-in activities. Design and build hardware tooling, coordinate project tasks, and act as a technical interface to customers, including international travel. The role also carries technical leadership across multiple teams, mentoring engineers and driving autonomous development.

2 days ago

Semtech

Associate Validation Engineer – High-Speed Validation & Signal Integrity

  • Bristol
  • Hybrid · 4 days in office
  • Senior

Graduate role validating next-generation high-speed semiconductor devices, working hands-on in the lab from week one. You'll build test automation in Python or LabVIEW, take measurements on components running at 10Gbit/s and above, and learn high-speed signal integrity with Altium PCB tools. Based in Bristol, hybrid with four days in office.

Python · LabVIEW · Altium

2 weeks ago

Semtech

Senior Validation Engineer – High-Speed PCB Design & Signal Integrity (25G+)

  • Sevenoaks
  • On-site
  • Senior

Design high-speed validation PCBs in Cadence Allegro, from schematic capture and stack-up definition through layout and release, for silicon operating at 25Gbit/s and above. Bring up, debug and characterise RF and data comms boards on the bench, automate measurements in Python, and write validation reports that directly influence what ships.

Cadence Allegro

Last week
IonQ logo

IonQ · 501–1000 people · Public

Senior Silicon Validation Engineer

  • Oxford
  • Hybrid
  • Senior

Lead validation and characterisation of analogue and mixed-signal ASICs for trapped-ion quantum processors, from test planning and platform development through first-silicon bring-up, debug and system integration. The role spans room-temperature and cryogenic (around 4 K) measurements on packaged parts, chip-on-board assemblies and bare die, with heavy Python automation and test PCB work.

Python · Git · SPI +7

3 weeks ago

Verso Recruitment

Staff System Validation Engineer

  • Whiteley
  • Hybrid
  • £75,000 pa
  • Senior

Lead the integration and validation of advanced touch technologies into customer devices, acting as the key technical interface between global customers and internal engineering teams. The role combines hands-on circuit design, Python scripting and hardware tooling with technical leadership, mentoring and international travel.

Last week

Octagon Group

Staff System Validation Engineer

  • Fareham
  • £65,000 – £75,000 pa
  • Senior

Lead technical integration of advanced semiconductor and touch products into customer devices, combining hands-on circuit design, prototype tooling and system validation. Provide remote and on-site support to global customers, guide regional application teams, mentor engineers and coordinate project planning and documentation.

Last week

Graphcore

Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer - DDR

  • Bristol

Hands-on lab role validating and debugging memory and system interfaces on advanced AI compute hardware, focusing on LPDDR5-9600, slow-speed interfaces, PCB issues, power behaviour and signal integrity. You own board bring-up, root cause analysis and memory subsystem tuning, working closely with architecture, silicon, firmware and PCB design teams.

LPDDR5-9600 · Oscilloscopes · BERT +2

2 weeks ago

Graphcore

Hardware Validation & Debug Engineer

  • Bristol

You will build and maintain test systems for AI hardware platforms, defining test methods, specifying equipment and automating checks for high-speed serial links, high-current power supplies and PCBA debug. Embedded in the Hardware Test team, you work closely with silicon, firmware and production groups, improving coverage and transferring robust solutions into production.

Ethernet · PCIe · Python +4

2 weeks ago
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

  • Verification tests the design in simulation before tape-out. Validation tests the real chip after it is made.

  • Yes. Python is used in almost every role to automate tests and analyse results.

  • High-speed SerDes, memory interfaces and power management feature most often in current adverts.

  • The salary section on this page is drawn from live adverts on the board.

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