Solution Director

Job Summary

Lead and own chip-level verification strategy and execution for complex SoCs, ensuring functional correctness, coverage closure, and high-quality tapeouts. This role requires deep expertise in system-level verification, integration challenges, and leadership across multiple IP/block teams.

Key Responsibilities

Verification Ownership

Own end-to-end chip-level DV from planning to signoff

Define and drive verification strategy, including reuse of block-level environments

Ensure functional correctness of integrated SoC across all subsystems

Testbench & Methodology

Architect and develop scalable chip-level testbenches (typically UVM-based)

Drive reuse and integration of block/IP-level verification environments

Ensure best practices in:

Stimulus generation

Scoreboarding

Assertions (SVA)

Coverage models

Integration & Debug

Handle complex SoC integration issues:

Interface mismatches

Protocol violations

Reset/boot sequence issues

Lead debug of system-level failures and root cause analysis

Work closely with RTL, architecture, and firmware teams

Coverage Closure

Define and track:

Functional coverage

Code coverage (line/toggle/branch/FSM)

Drive closure to meet tapeout criteria

Identify and close coverage holes and corner cases

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with:

RTL design teams

Firmware/software teams (for boot/use-case validation)

Emulation/FPGA teams

Post-silicon validation teams

Ensure alignment between pre-silicon and post-silicon validation plans

Platform & Performance

Enable verification on:

Simulation platforms

Emulation (Palladium/Zebu)

FPGA prototyping (optional)

Optimize regression performance and turnaround time

Leadership

Lead and mentor a team of DV engineers

Drive verification planning, reviews, and signoff

Define quality metrics, schedules, and execution tracking

Act as single point of ownership for DV signoff

Skill Requirements

Technical

Strong expertise in:

SystemVerilog & UVM methodology

Assertions (SVA)

Functional coverage

Experience in:

SoC-level verification

Complex protocols (AXI, PCIe, DDR, etc.)

Solid understanding of:

Computer architecture / SoC architecture

Low-power verification (UPF/CPF basics)

Experience

20+ years in Design Verification

Proven track record of:

Leading chip-level DV

Multiple successful SoC tapeouts

Tools & Platforms

Simulators: VCS, Xcelium, Questa

Emulation: Palladium, Zebu (good to have)

Debug tools: Verdi, SimVision

Other Requirements

Soft Skills

Strong debugging and analytical thinking

Ability to lead large, cross-functional teams

Clear communication with stakeholders and customers

Good to Have

Experience with:

Portable Stimulus (PSS)

Formal verification exposure

Firmware-driven verification

Scripting:

Python / Perl / TCL for automation

Success Metrics

Functional + code coverage closure as per targets

High bug detection efficiency pre-silicon

Minimal escapes to silicon

Regression stability and turnaround time

First-pass silicon success (functional perspective)