Software/Firmware Validation Architect

About the Role

We are seeking a visionary and highly experienced Firmware/Software Test & Validation Architect to define, design, specify, and guide the implementation of our comprehensive test and validation strategy. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in establishing the robust quality and reliability framework for our reference development platform, ensuring it meets the highest standards for performance, reliability, and mission-critical applications.

You will be the thought leader for validating the entire software stack – from firmware and device drivers to the operating system, AI runtimes, and critical application solutions – post-silicon, ensuring hardware-software co-verification and customer enablement.

• Define the overarching test and validation strategy and roadmap for Firmware, Software, System, and Reference Solution layers of our Arm-based reference hardware platforms.
• Architect the end-to-end test infrastructure, frameworks, and methodologies required to achieve robust, scalable, and automated testing across all firmware/software layers.
• Drive the integration of Continuous Testing (CT) pipelines for all test phases.
• Define methodologies for Fault Injection Testing (FIT) (HW-assisted, SW-based) to validate diagnostic coverage and failure mechanisms.
• Specify requirements and guide the application of execution time/latency analysis for time-critical software components.
• Design the strategy for simulation/emulation/virtual platform environments applicable to embedded firmware, software and applications.
• Define the approach for robust automated AI regression and performance benchmarking, including identifying relevant inference benchmarks, designing custom test harnesses for our AI accelerators, and specifying critical KPIs (e.g. latency, throughput, power efficiency per TOPS).
• Develop a strategy for test data management, including synthetic data generation and replay for AI model validation, focusing on edge cases and diverse scenarios.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to Firmware Verification, Software Verification, System Integration & Test, and Solution Validation teams.
• Drive the selection and adoption of industry-leading test tools, simulators, analyzers, and methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with Hardware Design, Firmware Development, Software Development, and Product Management teams to ensure alignment of test strategies with product requirements and customer needs.
• Drive continuous improvement in test methodologies, automation, and overall quality assurance processes.
• Ensure comprehensive documentation of all test plans, results, and architectural decisions.
• Contribute to the creation of customer-facing documentation, best practices, and SDK examples for testing and validation on the reference platform.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in embedded software/firmware test, verification, or validation, with at least 3-5 years in an Architect or Lead role defining strategy.
• Demonstrated deep expertise in architecting firmware/software test and validation strategies for complex SoC and hardware platforms.
• Proven experience with HIL/SIL simulation environments for embedded systems.
• Expertise in test automation frameworks (e.g. Robot Framework, pytest), scripting languages (e.g., Python), and CI/CD pipeline integration (Jenkins, Gitlab/Github runners).
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems, Linux/RTOS drivers and environments, and Arm-based architecture.
• Working knowledge of industry standards and hardware and software implementation related to I2C, I3C, PCIe, SPI, Ethernet, MCTP/PLDM, etc.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and guide cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and explore new technical frontiers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of AI performance benchmarking for hardware accelerators, including experience with relevant methodologies and metrics.
• Experience with AI frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, ONNX, and their deployment on server and edge devices.
• Familiarity with security testing methodologies for embedded systems.
• Experience in a customer-facing role, defining and supporting test strategies for partner companies.

Benefits

At Ampere we believe in taking care of our employees and providing a competitive total rewards package that includes base pay, cash long-term incentive, and comprehensive benefits.

• Premium medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, as well as income protection and a 401K retirement plan, so that you can feel secure in your health and financial future.
• Unlimited Flextime and 10+ paid holidays so that you can embrace a healthy work-life balance.
• A variety of healthy snacks, energizing espresso, and refreshing drinks to keep you fueled and focused throughout the day.

Pay

The full base pay range for this role is between $225,500 and $338,500, except in the San Francisco Bay Area where the range is between $237,000 and $356,000.