Apple

Silicon Validation/Emulation Design Engineer

Apple$150K — $180K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
  • Proven expertise with Cadence Palladium or similar emulation platforms including build flows and compile optimization.
  • Strong debugging skills at both system-level and IP-level on emulation platforms.
  • Understanding of emulation compile flows, memory compilation, and clock modeling.
  • Proficient in scripting languages like Python, Tcl, Perl, and Shell for automation tasks.
  • Familiarity with ARM-based subsystems and standard bus protocols such as AXI, AHB, and APB.
  • Experience in Wireless SoC applications (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain Palladium emulation environments focusing on compile flows and netlist preparation.
  • Conduct system-level debugging and root cause analysis for complex hardware issues.
  • Perform IP-level debugging and validation in collaboration with IP owners.
  • Develop automation scripts and flows to enhance Palladium build efficiency.
  • Profile performance and optimize emulation models to improve execution speed.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to meet emulation deliverable deadlines.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
  • Collaborative work environment with multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Access to advanced tools and technologies in the field of simulation and emulation.
  • Strong focus on innovation and cutting-edge wireless technologies.
Full Job Description
As a Silicon Validation/Emulation Design Engineer, you will work in a team developing Wireless SoCs with custom hardware accelerators, as well as multiple ARM-based sub-systems. You will be a key contributor in our pre-silicon hardware validation efforts using Cadence Palladium emulation platforms, enabling early system integration and hardware validation. You will work closely with SoC architects, RTL designers, and verification engineers to ensure our designs are thoroughly validated before tape-out. You will help define the processes, methods, and tools for emulation environment development and debug of large complex SoCs.

Description

In this role, you'll be responsible for the following:

- Building and maintaining Palladium emulation environments, including compile flows, netlist preparation, memory modeling, and clock/reset configurations.

- System-level debug and root cause analysis of complex hardware issues on the emulation platform.

- IP-level debug and validation, working closely with IP owners to isolate and resolve design issues.

- Development and implementation of automation aids, flows, and scripts to improve Palladium build efficiency, debug turnaround, and platform utilization.

- Performance profiling and optimization of emulation models to maximize execution speed.

- Collaboration with multi-disciplinary groups to make sure emulation deliverables are on schedule and support critical program milestones.

Minimum Qualifications

BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

Proven experience with Cadence Palladium (or equivalent emulation platforms such as Synopsys ZeBu), including build flows, compile optimization, and platform bring-up

Strong debugging skills with experience in system-level and IP-level debug on emulation platforms

Experience with emulation compile flows, including synthesis for emulation, memory compilation, clock modeling, and I/O abstraction

Proficiency in debug tools and methodologies (waveform analysis, signal probing, assertion-based debug, transactors)

Solid understanding of RTL design concepts, SoC architectures, ARM-based subsystems, and standard bus protocols (AXI, AHB, APB)

Experience developing and maintaining automation scripts (Python, Tcl, Perl, Shell) to streamline emulation workflows

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to debug complex system-level issues

Experience with Wireless SoC applications (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) - strongly preferred

Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across functional teams

Experience with version control systems (Git, Perforce) and CI/CD integration for emulation flows

About Apple

Apple is a corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple provides many products and services, including iPhone; iPad; iPod; Mac; Apple TV; a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the iOS and OS X operating systems; iCloud; and accessories, service, and support offerings. It sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, direct sales force and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers to the consumer and also sells third-party iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod compatible products, including application software and accessories through its online and retail stores. Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). That feature and others such as an improved floppy drive design and a low-cost hard drive that made data retrieval faster helped Apple cultivate a reputation for innovation. Apple was named as the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world from 2008 to 2012 by the Fortune magazine. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne on April 1, 1976, and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Careers

Join Apple, a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Our ever-expanding global team is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in the tech industry. At Apple, we're not just building products—we're crafting the kind of wonder that revolutionizes entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Work You’ll Do Embark on a journey with Apple’s market-leading team to help some of the world’s most influential companies navigate their path to digital mastery with cutting-edge technology and services. Transform industries and touch lives with your unique ideas at Apple. Here, you’ll lead through a unique position at the intersection of technology, creativity, and robust industry expertise. Collaborate with a global team of professionals who are at the top of their game in technology and design. Apple isn’t just a company, it’s a community of innovators and passionate thinkers. Introducing the Apple Innovation and Leadership Initiative We are building a market-leading team to drive our efforts in delivering groundbreaking solutions and services. At Apple, job opportunities are abundant, offering you the chance to explore diverse roles from engineering to marketing, all designed to empower your career growth. Do Innovative Work Join the largest group of creative and technical experts in the world—professionals dedicated to redefining what’s possible through technology and innovation. Deliver targeted solutions through a depth and breadth of expertise that’s unmatched, driving forward our commitment to excellence and leadership in every project we undertake. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in a wide range of projects utilizing Apple’s technology and resources. Harness the unparalleled capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development that only Apple can offer. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with limitless opportunities at Apple. Go as far as your ambition takes you with unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore Discover how Apple is leading the way in tech innovation: [With iOS] Businesses can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions... READ MORE Smart home technology integration that sets the standard for convenience and security... READ MORE The Apple Experience Our combined service capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development help clients overcome challenges and lead transformation in their industries. Clients worldwide look to Apple for new strategies and solutions that drive growth and innovation in the digital era. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re seeking a professional role, an internship, or a leadership position, Apple offers a variety of employment opportunities. SEARCH APPLE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Apple, a company committed to diversity, innovation, and leadership. Explore job opportunities, employment benefits, and the culture of growth and innovation at Apple. Prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and ready yourself for a career at one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Learn more about Apple
Size
154,000 employees
Market Cap
$2,074.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$63.9 billion
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+11.5%
Revenue
$294.1 billion
NASDAQ

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