Silicon Validation Software Engineer: CPU and Memory Hierarchy

Would you like to work on SW that runs on every Apple phone, pad, and Mac computer in the world? Join our team of experienced SW engineers and debuggers in validating Apple's world class silicon. In this highly visible role you will be writing functional validation SW for the CPUs, caches, and memory subsystem of our SoCs, with the aim of identifying logic design and circuit bugs.

You will be a SW developer for a system validation tool used widely across Apple's Silicon Engineering group, and will collaborate with SoC design and product engineering teams to debug and drive silicon issues to root-cause.

• Validate CPU cores, cache coherency, and memory hierarchy behavior on post-silicon platforms.
• Develop targeted stress tests to expose incorrect behavior under varying operating conditions (voltage, frequency, and temperature).
• Partner with design and architecture teams to correlate silicon behavior with intended micro architectural design.
• Catch incorrect silicon behavior and issues before product release.
• Identify sensitivity to PVT shifts, including incorrect behaviors and intermittent failures.
• Collect and analyze silicon data (logs, counters, traces) to understand system behavior across operating conditions.
• Provide actionable feedback to PVT and other teams to refine operating limits.

• Strong understanding of CPU microarchitecture, cache coherency, and memory hierarchy.
• Knowledge of SoC-level power, clocking, and voltage domains.
• Experience working with PVT, reliability, or silicon characterization teams.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting (Python) for automation and analysis.
• Hands‑on experience debugging real silicon across voltage, frequency, and temperature corners.
• Ability to communicate complex silicon issues clearly to cross-functional partners.

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with a minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience.
• Experience in post-silicon validation, PVT, system bring-up, or silicon debug.

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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.

Note:

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