Job Details

Test Chip Design & Validation Engineer

Santa Clara, California, United States

Hardware

Summary

Posted: Jul 21, 2025

Role Number: 200613098

Do you want to apply your engineering background to make big things happen? As part of our Digital Design Engineering group, you’ll take imaginative and revolutionary ideas and determine how to turn them into reality! You and your team will apply engineering fundamentals to bring forward-thinking ideas to the real world. You will join a hardworking design team which architects the test chip to validate the critical IPs developed for pioneering Apple product ASICs. The IPs validated by this team go into CPU, GPU, SoC, Neural Engine and other critical parts of Apple product silicon. In this highly visible role, you will be responsible to architect and thoroughly validate and characterize the custom IPs in silicon.

Description

Imagine yourself at the start of a fast-paced new design cycle. You will work with production chip architects, front end and DFT teams, custom IP design engineers, test & product engineers, silicon validation systems engineers to realize detailed testing of the new IPs in prototype silicon. You will draw on a broad set of skills you have gained as an electrical engineer and be required to find novel ways to test and debug new digital and AMS circuits. In this role you will:
- Understand custom IPs – Memories/Digital circuits, AMS IPs and silicon validation requirements.
- Understand architecture of testschips, IP chiplets and logic macro blocks in-depth.
- Improve IP validation architecture in testchip with pathfinding and feedback from consumers.
- Assist with improving overall testchip eco-system by implementing lessons learned.
- Compose system requirements for silicon validation boards to test IPs.
- Understand high level architecture & hierarchy of production chips.
- Work with silicon test engineers to validate custom IPs in production chips.
- Understand DFT DV test benches and modify to enable debug testing.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in a relevant field of study and a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Good understanding of Device Physics/Transistor basics.

• Good grasp of basic VLSI design concepts, 6T/8T memories, Reg files, Standard cells, P&R, timing and DFT.

• Python, TCL and/or PERL programming experience.

• System Verilog familiarity.

• JTAG protocol understanding.

• Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of TC1500 Protocol.

• IEEE1687 (STAR SMS MBIST protocol).

• Statistical data manipulation and reporting.

• Experience with FPGA based systems.

Pay & Benefits

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $141,800 and $258,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.Learn more about Apple Benefits. (https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html)

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation.

Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.Learn more about the E-Verify program (https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf) .

Apple is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple is a drug-free workplace. Reasonable Accommodation and Drug Free Workplace policy Learn more .

Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you’re applying for a position in San Francisco, review the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance guidelines applicable in your area.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.