Job Description : Silicon Validation Engineer (Bare-Metal to Linux Kernel)

Experience Level : Senior / Staff (8-12 Years)

About the Role :

We are seeking an expert Embedded Software and Silicon Validation Engineer with a deep background in the Linux Kernel Environment (LKE) to drive the migration of our functional test suites. In this role, you will take high-priority bare-metal functional test casesoriginally designed to run directly on the hardware without an OSand port them into structured, robust Linux Kernel Space test frameworks (such as custom kernel modules, drivers, or KUnit/kselftest environments).

Key Responsibilities :

1. Bare-Metal to Linux Kernel Porting :

- Framework Translation : Architect and implement the migration of low-level bare-metal functional test cases (C/Assembly-based) into the Linux Kernel Environment (LKE).

- Kernel Module Development : Write custom, high-performance Linux kernel modules and character drivers specifically designed to exercise, stress, and validate hardware blocks under OS control.

- Concurrency & Resource Management : Rewrite test code to safely navigate kernel-space constraints, including interrupt handling, memory mapping (ioremap, DMA), concurrency, and race conditions.

2. Silicon Validation & ATE Partnership :

- ATE Collaboration : Partner closely with the ATE Test Engineering team to load the Linux boot image, inject your kernel-space functional tests, and capture hardware response vectors on the tester platform.

- Silicon Debugging : Utilize hardware debuggers (JTAG, Lauterbach TRACE32), logic analyzers, and Linux debug utilities (printk, ftrace, kprobes) to isolate, root-cause, and resolve silicon errata found during testing.

- Test Automation Execution : Ensure ported kernel tests can be systematically triggered and monitored by the ATE automation harness for high-volume manufacturing (HVM) readiness.

Required Skills & Qualifications :

Technical Core : Linux Kernel & Embedded Software :

- Linux Kernel Mastery : Deep, hands-on experience developing within the Linux Kernel Environment (LKE). Proven track record of writing kernel patches, device drivers, or custom kernel-space test suites.

- Bare-Metal Expertise : Strong understanding of bare-metal programming, low-level hardware initialization (bootloaders, U-Boot), and direct register manipulation.

- Language Proficiency : Expert-level C programming and familiarity with inline Assembly.

Technical Core : Silicon Validation & Hardware :

- Functional Test Knowledge : Deep understanding of how to validate hardware subsystems (e.g., PCIe, USB, Memory Controllers, Crypto engines, DMA, or Peripherals) through software stimulus.

- Silicon Validation Concepts : Familiarity with post-silicon validation workflows, including register-level verification, power-state transitions, and clocking controls.

- Hardware Debug Tools : Proficient in using JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, or protocol analyzers to bridge the gap between software execution and physical hardware behavior.

Education & Experience :

- Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

- Minimum of 6+ years of experience in Embedded Linux development, Device Driver engineering, or Post-Silicon Software Validation.

Preferred Qualifications :

- Prior experience optimizing Linux boot times or modifying kernel configurations for minimal footprint testing on ATE platforms.

- Experience collaborating directly with hardware test engineers or manufacturing test teams.