Engineers who ensure the reliability and functionality of semiconductor designs. A critical role in the development lifecycle, blending technical expertise with a keen eye for detail.
Verification Engineers play a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, ensuring that chip designs meet their intended specifications and perform reliably. Working closely with design teams, they develop and execute test plans to identify and resolve issues before a product reaches the market. This role is essential for maintaining the high standards required in semiconductor manufacturing, where even minor errors can have significant consequences.
A typical week is split between writing test cases, running simulations, and collaborating with design and manufacturing teams.
Based on advertised midpoints across the 3 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.
% of 21 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.
A typical UK progression for verification engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.
Assist in the development of test plans and execution of basic verification tasks under supervision.
Own the development and execution of test plans for specific modules, working independently on verification tasks.
Lead the verification effort for complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and optimise verification processes.
Oversee the entire verification strategy, drive innovation in verification methodologies, and provide technical leadership.
There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.
Gain foundational knowledge in semiconductor design and verification tools and techniques.
Start creating and executing test plans for simple modules, learning to identify and document issues.
Focus on a specific area of verification, such as digital, analog, or mixed-signal design.
Take ownership of verification efforts for complex projects, managing timelines and resources.
Guide and train less experienced verification engineers, sharing knowledge and best practices.
Drive the development of new verification methodologies and tools, providing strategic direction for the team.
Pragmatic Semiconductor Cambridge
Executes verification strategies for mixed-signal IP and FlexICs to ensure right-first-time tapeouts, working closely with digital and analog designers. Builds test bench environments, debugs failures, and produces verification reports and coverage statistics across the design flow. Requires strong SystemVerilog and verification methodology knowledge, with UVM highly desirable.
Graphcore Bristol
Owns verification of complex AI compute silicon, ensuring RTL matches architecture specifications. Plans verification, defines coverage, generates tests, diagnoses failures and improves shared infrastructure, working closely with Architecture, Logical Design and Physical Design teams across multiple UK sites.
Hexwired Recruitment Limited Southampton £65,000 – £85,000 pa
Verification of RTL implementations to ensure designs meet required standards before deployment, working with SystemVerilog and UVM in a Linux environment. The role sits within an expanding electronics manufacturer and involves scripting in Python, TCL or Bash alongside digital ASIC/FPGA verification work.
Analog Devices Newbury
Join the CSS design verification team to validate IP and subsystem-level designs for high-performance semiconductor products. You will develop System Verilog/UVM testbenches, run simulations, debug failures, and track functional and assertion coverage alongside design and architecture engineers.
Analog Devices Edinburgh
Hands-on internship in a design verification team, validating IP and subsystem-level designs for high-performance semiconductor products. You will develop System Verilog/UVM testbenches, run simulations, debug failures, create directed and constrained-random tests, and track functional, code and assertion coverage while supporting regression automation with scripting.
IonQ Oxford
Architect and maintain UVM/SystemVerilog verification environments for complex FPGA designs, defining verification plans with constrained-random testing and functional coverage. Build automated regression suites and CI pipelines, collaborating with RTL engineers to debug and ensure reliable quantum control systems.
Reperio Human Capital Cork, Ireland £86,324 – £103,589 pa
Own verification of mixed-signal ICs from test planning through final sign-off, building and maintaining UVM testbenches, coverage models and regression suites. Work closely with analog and digital design teams to catch issues early, track coverage closure, and help shape the team's verification approach while supporting other engineers.
Cadence Edinburgh
Develops verification and emulation environments for complex Chiplet designs, building UVM-SV scoreboards, functional coverage, and SystemVerilog assertions for formal and simulation. Integrates Cadence VIP and accelerated VIP, manages vPlans in vManager, and maintains automated regression environments using Jenkins and GIT within an experienced Chiplet team.
The locations with the most live listings for this role today.
Strong programming skills, a deep understanding of semiconductor design, and the ability to work collaboratively are crucial.
They collaborate closely to understand design requirements, develop test plans, and resolve issues identified during verification.
Common tools include simulation software, HDL simulators, and verification frameworks like UVM (Universal Verification Methodology).
You can advance from a Junior Verification Engineer to a Principal Verification Engineer, taking on more responsibility and leadership roles.
Salaries vary based on experience and location. For more detailed information, refer to the salary section on this page.
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