Senior Systems Prototyping and Emulation Engineer

Nvidia

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Salary: $168,000–$264,500 / yr
Employment: Full-time
Posted: 21 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $188k

This role $216k

$138k $278k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 73% of similar roles. Most pay $155,675–$220,125 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $216k versus about $188k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Nvidia

Nvidia is a leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-chip units, powering gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and artificial intelligence workloads. Industry: Semiconductors & AI Computing

Nvidia currently has 1623 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $184,000–$287,500 across 1110 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Systems Prototyping and Emulation Engineer

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The Senior Systems Prototyping and Emulation Engineer joins the Emulation team to build FPGA prototypes and hardware emulation environments for next-generation GPUs, SOCs, NICs, and Switches. The role involves making RTL FPGA-friendly, partitioning designs, and managing synthesis, place-and-route, and emulator compilation flows. Key responsibilities include analyzing timing bottlenecks, generating bitstreams, and driving complex debug activities to enable pre-silicon software development. Candidates must utilize tools like Synopsys ProtoCompiler, Synplify Premier, Xilinx Vivado, and platforms such as Synopsys ZeBu or Siemens Veloce. Required skills include Verilog, SystemVerilog, C/C++, and knowledge of protocols like PCIe, CXL, and NVLINK. The work focuses on realizing complex system topologies with multiple ASICs to create DGX systems on prototyping platforms and emulators.

Skills

FPGA Prototyping Hardware Emulation Verilog SystemVerilog C/C++ Synopsys ZeBu Siemens Veloce Synopsys ProtoCompiler Xilinx Vivado Synplify Premier SystemC PCIe CXL NVLINK DPI PLI Python Perl Tcl Shell VCS Verdi GDB LPDDR5 DDR5 USB4 Logic Analyzers Oscilloscopes

What you'll do

Build FPGA prototypes and hardware emulation environments by making RTL designs emulation-friendly and partitioning the design.
Execute synthesis, place-and-route, and emulator compilation flows to generate bitstreams and images.
Analyze timing and performance bottlenecks to improve the efficiency of FPGA prototypes and emulation platforms.
Perform design bring-up on hardware platforms and lead complex debug and problem-solving activities.
Release emulation environments to internal customers and provide support for debug, validation, and software enablement.
Develop and optimize emulation-friendly validation infrastructures, including high-performance software interfaces and scalable debug methodologies.
Create C/C++ testbenches and transactors optimized for high-speed operation on hardware emulation platforms.
Enable pre-silicon software development and performance analysis using hardware emulation environments.

What we're looking for

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experience, or MS with 6+ years of experience.
Proven experience in FPGA prototyping and/or hardware emulation.
Strong understanding of FPGA prototyping and hardware emulation architectures, devices, flows, and tools.
Hands-on experience with Synopsys ProtoCompiler, Synplify Premier, Xilinx Vivado, and familiarity with Synopsys ZeBu or Siemens Veloce.
Knowledge of Verilog, SystemVerilog, and digital design concepts.
Understanding of industry-standard protocols such as PCIe, CXL, NVLINK, USB, CHI, and CPU-GPU coherency.
Hands-on experience with lab FPGA debug methodologies, tools, and lab debug equipment like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
Expertise in developing and optimizing emulation-friendly C/C++ testbenches and transactors is a critical skill.

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