{"id":2176,"url":"https://alion.io/job/graphcore-staff-hardware-validation-engineer","title":"Staff Hardware Validation Engineer","company":{"id":33,"name":"Graphcore","domain":"graphcore.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/graphcore","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":92,"open_postings":140,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.107,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":69,"computed_at":"2026-11-01T06:10:25Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Austin, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":149000,"max_usd":274000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":563},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-07T18:23:50Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-15","last_verified_at":"2026-11-01T13:30:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":116,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":116},"description":"1743 - This position is in Austin, Texas.\n\nPosition Summary\nWe are seeking an experienced Board-Level Hardware Validation Engineer to define and execute the validation and verification of complex electronic systems throughout the product lifecycle. This role is responsible for defining validation strategies, developing test plans, executing hands-on testing, analyzing failures, and working directly with ODM partners to ensure products meet performance, reliability, quality, and compliance requirements before mass production.\nThe ideal candidate combines strong electrical engineering fundamentals with practical lab expertise and is comfortable personally performing validation activities while coordinating with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners.\nKey Responsibilities\nValidation Strategy & Planning\nDefine comprehensive board-level and inter-board validation plans based on product requirements, design specifications, and customer use cases.\nDevelop validation methodologies covering functional, electrical, thermal, power, signal integrity, reliability, and stress testing.\nEstablish test coverage, acceptance criteria, qualification requirements, and release gates.\nReview hardware architecture, schematics, component specifications, and interface topologies to identify validation risks early in the design cycle.\nDefine incremental validation and regression coverage for component substitutions, design changes, and firmware updates.\nHands-On Validation Execution\nDevelop, automate, and execute validation tests on prototype and production-intent hardware.\nPerform board bring-up, functional verification, electrical characterization, and system-level integration testing.\nValidate communication interfaces, control signals, and timing requirements.\nVerify power sequencing, reset behavior, leakage current, and recovery across operating states.\nExecute temperature and voltage corner testing against approved operating limits.\nUse oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power analyzers, TDRs, VNAs, environmental chambers, and other laboratory equipment as applicable.\nCollect and analyze waveforms, measurements, and logs to demonstrate compliance with acceptance criteria.\nDevelop custom test fixtures, scripts, and tools to improve test efficiency, coverage, and repeatability.\nFirmware Validation & Automation\nValidate firmware builds on applicable hardware before qualification or release.\nVerify boot, initialization, interface functionality, power-state transitions, fault recovery, and features affected by each release.\nMaintain regression coverage for previously resolved hardware and firmware defects.\nAutomate firmware deployment, functional checks, power cycling, measurement collection, and reporting.\nDevelop reusable test suites to accelerate validation following hardware revisions and firmware changes.\nODM & Manufacturing Collaboration\nWork directly with ODM partners to align validation plans, test procedures, and qualification activities.\nReview ODM validation reports and ensure consistency with internal quality standards.\nDrive issue resolution across ODM, design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.\nDebug & Root Cause Analysis\nInvestigate hardware failures and validation escapes through systematic root-cause analysis.\nReview designs and customer use cases to identify potential failure conditions.\nDevelop controlled failure-injection tests to evaluate fault detection, error handling, and recovery.\nTrack validation defects from discovery through corrective action and verified closure.\nValidate fixes and assesses their impact on related functions.\nMaintain failure-analysis and troubleshooting documentation, including symptoms, diagnostic steps, root causes, corrective actions, and lessons learned.\nIncorporate resolved issues into regression testing where practical.\nDocumentation & Reporting\nAuthor test plans, validation procedures, test reports, and qualification summaries.\nEnsure traceability between requirements, test coverage, results, and defects.\nMaintain accurate records of hardware revisions, firmware versions, test configurations, and supporting evidence.\nTrack validation progress, coverage gaps, risks, defects, corrective actions, and release readiness through dashboards and status reports.\nPresent validation results, recommendations, and readiness assessments to engineering leadership and stakeholders.\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.\n7+ years (or appropriate level) of board-level hardware validation experience.\nStrong understanding of digital and mixed-signal electronic systems.\nExperience validating high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, USB, Ethernet, DDR, MIPI, SPI, I2C, UART, or similar technologies.\nHands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and measurement techniques.\nExperience working with ODMs, contract manufacturers, or external engineering partners.\nStrong hardware debugging and root-cause analysis skills.\nExperience developing test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.\nExcellent technical documentation and communication skills.\nInternational and domestic travel as needed.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with server, networking, embedded, AI/ML hardware, or datacenter platforms.\nExperience supporting NPI and manufacturing ramp activities.\nExperience with schematic review and PCB design fundamentals.\nAbility to read and interpret component datasheets to identify electrical specifications, timing requirements, operating limits, and validation criteria.\nKey Competencies\nOwnership and accountability\nStrong analytical and debugging skills\nHands-on laboratory expertise\nCross-functional collaboration\nODM/vendor management\nData-driven decision making\nAttention to detail\nAbility to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution\nUSA Benefits\nIn addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing and financial future. Our benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), disability and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, commuter benefits, wellness services and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we're committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. 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