FPGA Prototyping and Emulation Engineer

WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you’ll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world’s most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career. The Role We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated FPGA Prototyping and Emulation Engineer to join our hardware development team. This role is critical to accelerating silicon validation and system-level debug through advanced prototyping and emulation platforms. You will work closely with architecture, design, and verification teams to enable early software development and system bring-up.

The Person We’re on the lookout for an Engineer with strong experience in semiconductor validation and hardware/software co-debug. Ideal candidates will have worked on advanced SoC designs and validation methodologies, with prior experience developing large-scale SoC models (1B+ gates) and applying expert debug techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain FPGA-based prototypes using Xilinx FPGAs and Synopsys HAPS platforms.
• Perform FPGA synthesis, partitioning, and timing closure for complex SoC designs.
• Drive bring-up and debug of SoC prototypes, including waveform capture and analysis.
• Interface with custom PCBs and semiconductor components for system-level validation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support pre-silicon and post-silicon debug.
• Integrate and support emulation platforms including Synopsys ZeBu, Cadence Palladium/Protium, and Mentor Veloce.
• Use AI-based modeling to generate behavioral models of removed modules.
• Maintain and monitor quality model development, deployment, and automated regression testing infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain model "smoke tests" to ensure model functionality prior to delivery to bring-up teams.
• Drive technical innovation across validation, including tool and script development, methodology enhancement, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Debug issues across bring-up, validation, and production phases of SoC programs.
• Track test execution and ensure timely validation and optimization of all features.
• Engage with other software/hardware modeling frameworks and support teams.
• Lead collaborative efforts across multiple engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Xilinx FPGA architecture and toolchains.
• Expertise in Verilog/SystemVerilog design and simulation.
• Proficiency with FPGA synthesis and partitioning tools (e.g., Synplify, Vivado).
• Experience with Synopsys HAPS prototyping platforms.
• Solid understanding of SoC bring-up, debug methodologies, and waveform analysis.
• Familiarity with PCB bring-up and hardware/software interfacing.
• Proficiency with C/C++, low-level boot code, and firmware development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with emulation platforms such as Synopsys ZeBu, Cadence Palladium/Protium, or Mentor Veloce.
• Understanding of BIOS for system, x86, and ARM cores.
• Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Tcl, Perl, Ruby) for automation and tool integration.
• Background in semiconductor validation and hardware/software co-debug.
• Prior development of large SoC models (1B gates+).
• Strong debug techniques and methodologies.
• Extensive experience with lab equipment (protocol/logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.).
• Deep experience with board/platform-level debug, delivery, sequencing, and optimization.
• Strong knowledge of system architecture and validation strategy.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Self-starter with the ability to independently drive tasks to completion.

Academic Credentials Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

This role is not eligible for Visa sponsorship Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD’s “Responsible AI Policy” is available here. This posting is for an existing vacancy.