Lead Hardware Design Validation Engineer

NVIDIA is hiring a Lead Hardware Design Validation Engineer in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $168k-$259k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.

Level's read on this job

Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this role: aI is not part of the work.
Level classifies it as a lead role.
Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.

AI in this role

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It’s a unique legacy of innovation that’s fueled by great technology—and amazing people. Today, we’re tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what’s never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world’s best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you’ll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.

Join NVIDIA's groundbreaking team as a Lead Hardware Design Validation Engineer for our GPU, datacenter and automotive platforms in Santa Clara, CA! This role offers an outstanding opportunity to lead a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in computing technology. Be part of a highly skilled team and build a significant difference in the world!

What you will be doing:

Own end-to-end product validation from architecture/design phase, through bring-up to mass production: set strategies, define test plans, and track progress to ensure the product meets spec and ships successfully.
Lead and mentor design validation engineers. Guide related validation teams (thermal, EMI, reliability, etc.) and partners (such as JDM) through the validation cycles. Represent design validation in executive and cross-functional product reviews and debug forums.
Be the accountable technical owner for validation status, risks, and different milestones/release readiness.
Define test plans across the full system based on product design, such as power, high-speed IO, low-speed IO, clock/resets, manageability (BMC), sensors, telemetry, firmware, full-system functional/stress validation etc.
Guide manufacturing test approaches; contribute to production troubleshooting and boosting yield.
Collaborate with and lead vendors and partners to complete validation activities.
Drive system-level debugging and root cause analysis on complex issues (including critical field returns) spanning silicon, board, system, signal integrity, firmware, and software.
Influence product design through design review and validation/debug feedback.
Build scalable validation automation and lab infrastructure across product lines.

What we need to see:

BS+ in EE/CE or equivalent experience.
8+ years of related experience with a proven track record as a technical lead for a shipping hardware product.
Proven leadership, leading validation through an entire product cycle from bring-up to mass production.
Strong system troubleshooting skills covering silicon, board, SI, firmware, OS, and applications.
Hands-on experience with power validation, including PDN, power regulators, sequencing, telemetry, protection etc.
Expertise in high-speed IO functionality and electrical validation, such as PCIe, SerDes, Ethernet, USB, or display.
Proficient in low-speed IO functionality and electrical validation, including I2C, SPI, UART, JTAG, SMBus, reference clock, etc.
System functional and stress test experience: define and complete system-level stress workloads (thermal, power, IO, memory, mixed-mode, corner V/F, Wide Area Test etc.) to expose marginality and uncover corner-case failures.
Proficiency with lab equipment and scripting, comfortable in Linux environments including driver/firmware debug with strong communication and program management skills; able to lead across multiple teams, sites, and time zones.
Experience with manufacturing test plans, collaborating with OPs/CM/OEM teams, and driving production debug and yield improvement.
Willing to go to local manufacturing sites near Santa Clara (typically up to 5%) to support NPI builds and un-gate factory.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

Experience leading validation for a GPU, server, automotive platform, or AI accelerator from first silicon to mass production.
Datacenter platform experience: high-density/rack-scale power, liquid cooling (CDU, manifolds, leak detection), manageability (BMC) etc.
Proven capability in managing or technically leading a team of validation engineers.
Able and willing to travel internationally (primarily to Asia mfg sites such as Taiwan, China mainland etc.), up to 8% during NPI peak, to support builds.

Widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers, NVIDIA offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. As you plan your future, see what we can offer to you and your family www.nvidiabenefits.com/

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary ranges for this position are:
168,000 USD – 258,750 USD for Level 4; and 200,000 USD – 322,000 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 3, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

How we rate this

Lead Hardware Design Validation Engineer at NVIDIA rates 33 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.