Pre-si Power and Performance System Validation Engineer

About the role

Intel is shaping the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world. Our work in pushing forward fields like AI, analytics, and cloud‑to‑edge technology is at the heart of countless innovations. With a career at Intel, you'll have the opportunity to use technology to power major breakthroughs and create enhancements that improve our everyday quality of life.

As a SoC Power Thermal Performance Validation and Optimization Engineer, you will play an essential role in ensuring Intel's products achieve optimal power, thermal, and performance benchmarks at the system‑on‑chip (SoC) level. You will develop and execute validation methodologies, optimize hardware/software solutions, and perform SoC‑level debugging to address power, thermal, and performance challenges.

Business Group

This role is part of Intel's Data Center Group (DCG), which focuses on designing innovative solutions to power the next generation of computing platforms for data centers. As a member of the PTP PreSi Correlation Solution team, you will contribute to shaping the development and validation processes for cutting‑edge technologies, ensuring Intel meets and exceeds industry standards for performance and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute SoC‑level power, thermal, and performance validation and optimization plans across Intel products.
• Collaborate with architecture, design, firmware, and software teams to ensure power, thermal, and performance meet competitive targets and specifications.
• Establish and execute methodologies for validating hardware/software optimizations and ensure alignment with business KPIs.
• Perform SoC‑level debug to identify root causes and resolve functional and triage failures related to power, thermal, and performance.
• Configure and set up data loggers to collect and analyze thermal data.
• Develop and maintain validation infrastructure, including performance monitors, behavioral checkers, and testing environments.
• Produce comprehensive validation reports summarizing activities and results, and communicate findings effectively to relevant teams.
• Drive continuous improvements to validation strategies, methodologies, and processes.

Behavioral Traits

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving aptitude.
• Effective communication and documentation skills for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ability to work across multi‑faceted groups (architecture, design, verification, firmware, software, and platform teams).

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

Experience: 3+ years of experience in SoC power and performance validation; 3+ years in Pre‑Si simulation and emulation; 3+ years developing and/or optimizing power/performance KPIs.

Technical Skills (2+ years each):

• Debugging experience for SoC‑level power, thermal, and performance failures.
• Knowledge of hardware/software optimizations for power and performance.
• Experience with silicon verification, test program development, and test plan execution.
• Knowledge of RTL languages, in‑circuit emulation, and FPGA fast prototyping (advantage).
• Experience with the Python programming language.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree (Master’s or PhD).
• Knowledge of DSP, Ethernet, and 3G/4G/5G.
• 2+ years of experience in SoC FPGA/Emulation functions.
• 2+ years of experience with system‑level debug using JTAG debuggers.
• 1+ year of experience in Pre‑Si functional design, validation, and/or HW/FW/SW integration.
• 1+ year of experience on major Pre‑Si platforms: logic simulation, virtual platform, FPGA, and/or emulation.
• Expertise in system‑level power management of real‑time processors and systems.
• Understanding of MIPI MPHY, JTAG, DDR, PCIe/USB/PCI‑E/Ethernet/SPMI bus protocols.
• Familiarity with validation tools such as data loggers, behavioral checkers, and state‑space coverage techniques.
• Experience with system board design/debugging and lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer).
• Knowledge of AI accelerator systems including GFX, NPU, and NPP design and architecture.
• Experience with performance modeling, benchmarking, and validation infrastructure setup.

Benefits

Intel’s total rewards package goes beyond a paycheck, offering generous health, retirement, and vacation benefits, as well as competitive pay and stock bonuses. Detailed information about the benefits available can be found on the Intel Careers site.

Pay

Annual Salary Range for U.S. locations: $122,440.00 – $232,190.00 USD. Individual compensation is determined by work location, skills, experience, and education.

Schedule

Shift 1 (United States of America).

Work Model

This role requires on‑site presence.