Staff Hardware Validation Engineer

1743 Position Summary We 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.

The 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.

This position is in Austin, Texas.

Key Responsibilities Validation Strategy & Planning

• Define comprehensive board-level and inter-board level validation plans based on product requirements, design specifications, and customer use cases.
• Develop validation methodologies covering functional, electrical, thermal, power, signal integrity, reliability, and stress testing.
• Establish test coverage, acceptance criteria, and qualification requirements.
• Review hardware architecture and schematics to identify validation risks and test requirements early in the design cycle.

Hands-On Validation Execution

• Personally develop, automate, and execute validation tests on prototype and production-intent hardware.
• Perform board bring-up, functional verification, electrical characterization, and system-level validation.
• Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power analyzers, environmental chambers, and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
• Create custom test fixtures, scripts, and tools to improve test efficiency and coverage.

ODM & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Work directly with ODM partners to align validation plans, test procedures, and qualification activities.
• Review ODM validation reports and ensure consistency with internal quality standards.
• Drive issue resolution across ODM, design engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Debug & Root Cause Analysis

• Investigate hardware failures and validation escapes through systematic root-cause analysis.
• Drive corrective actions with hardware design, firmware, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Validate fixes and verify closure of identified issues.
• Maintain detailed failure analysis documentation and lessons learned.

Documentation & Reporting

• Author test plans, validation procedures, test reports, and qualification summaries.
• Track validation status, risks, defects, and corrective actions.
• Present validation results, recommendations, and readiness assessments to engineering leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, test coverage, and validation outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years (or appropriate level) of board-level hardware validation experience.
• Strong understanding of digital and mixed-signal electronic systems.
• Experience validating high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, USB, Ethernet, DDR, MIPI, SPI, I2C, UART, or similar technologies.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and measurement techniques.
• Experience working with ODMs, contract manufacturers, or external engineering partners.
• Strong hardware debugging and root-cause analysis skills.
• Experience developing test automation using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
• International and domestic travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with server, networking, embedded, AI/ML hardware, or datacenter platforms.
• Experience supporting NPI and manufacturing ramp activities.
• Experience with schematic review and PCB design fundamentals.

Key Competencies

• Ownership and accountability
• Strong analytical and debugging skills
• Hands-on laboratory expertise
• Cross-functional collaboration
• ODM/vendor management
• Data-driven decision making
• Attention to detail
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution

USA Benefits

In 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. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.