Hardware Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

Cisco

. Lead hands-on post-silicon electrical validation in lab environments for networking ASICs and evaluation platforms .

Posted 10/5/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $155,000 - $222,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

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 signal integrity analysis. Proficient in developing lab automation using Python and collaborating with cross-functional teams to validate networking ASICs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Post-Silicon Electrical ValidationHardware Bring-UpSignal Integrity AnalysisPython Scripting for Lab AutomationHigh-Speed Measurement Techniques

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Electrical ValidationSilicon DebugSignal IntegrityPower IntegrityHigh-Speed Measurement TechniquesEthernet MAC/PHY ValidationPCIe ValidationSerDes ValidationReading SchematicsLab Automation

Tools & Technologies

OscilloscopeLogic AnalyzerVNAProtocol AnalyzerBERTMultimeterTraffic Generators

Industry Keywords

Networking ASICsDDR5USB 3.xSGMIIEMMCSPIMDIOI2CUARTPacket-Based Systems

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 from first power-on through feature enablement
Define, execute, and refine hardware validation plans for functionality, 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 voltage, current, power integrity, and signal integrity analysis
Capture and interpret waveforms, eye diagrams, jitter, BER, PDN measurements, and power-supply stability/noise
Isolate and root-cause silicon, package, board, and signal-integrity issues
Lead Ethernet MAC/PHY, PCIe, and SerDes validation
Oversee packet-level validation using traffic generators and protocol analyzers
Validate system behavior under real-world networking workloads
Operate oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, protocol analyzers, BERTs, and multimeters
Develop and maintain lab automation using Python and related frameworks
Plan and execute thermal testing with chambers and chillers across operating ranges
Collaborate with verification engineers, designers, and cross-functional teams to validate Cisco networking ASICs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and 2+ years; or PhD and 0+ years
Experience in post-silicon electrical validation, hardware bring-up, and lab-based silicon debug
Experience in electronics, digital logic, signal integrity, and power integrity
Experience with high-speed measurement techniques, including eye diagrams, BER, jitter, and compliance testing
Experience with DDR5, USB 3.x, SGMII, PCIe, USB2.0, eMMC, SPI, MDIO, I2C, and UART
Experience reading and reviewing schematics and layout files for complex boards
Preferred: independent lab-based debug planning and execution
Preferred: hands-on silicon bring-up and post-silicon validation lab experience
Preferred: Ethernet, PCIe, and SerDes validation experience
Preferred: Python scripting for lab automation and data analysis
Preferred: networking fundamentals and packet-based systems
Must live within commuting distance of the San Jose, CA office and commute at least 4–5 days per week

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
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies
Opportunities to grow and build on a worldwide team