Amazon

Software Development Engineer II, Post Silicon Validation

Amazon$143K — $194K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of professional software development experience
  • 3+ years of post-silicon or system validation engineering experience
  • Strong programming skills in languages like Python, Lua, C/C++, or Rust
  • Experience with validation in high-speed data interfaces (PCIe, HBM) and machine learning hardware architectures
  • Familiarity with the complete validation lifecycle from RTL simulation to silicon debugging
  • Solid understanding of computer architecture and digital design principles
  • Proficiency with Linux environments, Git, and SSH

Responsibilities

  • Develop comprehensive validation strategies and test plans for silicon to product release
  • Execute intricate test plans across RTL simulation, emulation, and silicon environments
  • Conduct hands-on debug and silicon bring-up using diagnostic lab equipment
  • Validate ML accelerator functionality using real-world neural network workloads
  • Build CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks for efficient validation
  • Collaborate across teams to address failures and ensure design quality
  • Review test results, identify improvement patterns and support AWS production systems

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage
  • Access to mental health support and employee assistance programs
Full Job Description
Join our Silicon Validation team to validate next-generation machine learning accelerators that power AWS's cloud computing infrastructure. You'll work in a fast-paced, startup-like environment alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry on cutting-edge, internet-scale technology that directly impacts how customers use Machine Learning acceleration. We are changing the landscape of cloud infrastructure by accelerating the development of custom silicon by moving beyond traditional partnerships to dominate in AI training and inference

Your work will span validation of the complete vertical stack-silicon, PCB, high-speed components (HBM, PCIe, chip-to-chip), inter-system connections, and system-to-system interfaces. You'll dive deep into new technology hardware components and scaling technologies that power our Machine Learning boards and servers at scale, ensuring every component of our hardware and software comes together into products our customers rely on.

Key job responsibilities

As a Validation Engineer on our Machine Learning Acceleration team, you'll own critical validation aspects across the entire product development lifecycle-from early design validation through emulation, silicon bring-up, post-silicon validation, and ongoing support of production systems deployed in AWS data centers. You'll collaborate deeply with architecture, RTL design, design verification, firmware, and software teams to ensure our next-generation AI/ML accelerators meet the highest standards of quality and performance. This role requires bridging multiple domains-from low-level hardware interfaces to high-level ML workloads-to deliver exceptional results.

We are looking for candidates with:

- Strong programming skills (Python, Lua, C/C++, Rust, Go, etc)

- A solid understanding of computer architecture

- Experience with AWS services, cloud infrastructure, firmware development (BIOS, BMC, drivers)

- Validation experience in any of these areas: PCIe, HBM, GPUs, neural networks, ML HW architecture, and/or CI/CD

- Familiarity with the validation lifecycle from RTL simulation (SystemVerilog/UVM, VCS, Questa, Xcelium) and emulation (Palladium, Zebu, Veloce) through silicon failure analysis and debug

A day in the life

- Developing comprehensive validation strategies and detailed test plans covering functional, performance, power, and stress testing from silicon bring-up to product release

- Executing complex test plans from RTL simulation and emulation environments through physical silicon validation

- Conducting hands-on silicon bring-up and debug in the lab using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers

- Validating ML accelerator performance, accuracy, and reliability using real-world neural network workloads

- Building test infrastructure, CI/CD, and automated regression frameworks to enable efficient validation at scale

- Collaborating across architecture, design, firmware, and software teams to triage failures and drive root cause analysis to closure

- Reviewing test results, identifying patterns, and providing feedback to improve design quality and validation coverage

- Supporting production systems in AWS data centers and addressing field issues as they arise

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- 3+ years of non-internship professional software development experience

- 2+ years of non-internship design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience

- Experience programming with at least one software programming language

- - 3+ years of hands-on post-silicon validation or system validation engineering experience

- - Strong programming skills (Python, Lua, C/C++, Rust) for production-quality test code

- - Experience developing and executing validation test plans for complex SoCs, CPUs, or accelerators

- - Hands-on lab experience with hardware bring-up and debug equipment

- - Solid understanding of computer architecture and digital design principles

- - Proficiency with Linux environments, Git, and SSH

- - Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug complex hardware/software issues

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 3+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience

- Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

- Knowledge of AWS or cloud technologies

- - Experience building automated test frameworks and CI/CD pipelines

- - Deep domain expertise in PCIe (Gen4/Gen5/Gen6) or HBM2/HBM3

- - Experience with ML hardware architectures, neural network accelerators, or GPU validation

- - Hands-on experience with emulation platforms (Palladium, Zebu, Veloce)

- - Firmware development experience (BIOS, BMC, drivers)

- - Experience with EDA simulation tools and SystemVerilog/UVM testbenches

- - Track record of leading validation efforts and mentoring engineers

- - Highly motivated self-starter comfortable with ambiguity and fast-paced environments

- - A systems thinker who understands the full validation lifecycle-from RTL simulation and emulation test bench development through silicon failure analysis and debug.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, TX, Austin - 143,700.00 - 194,400.00 USD annually

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. 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. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
NASDAQ

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