Principal Validation Engineer

Job Description

The Post-Silicon Validation team within the Performance Computing Power Division is building a world-class organization of highly skilled engineers across multiple global sites. Our mission is to push the boundaries of silicon validation for industry-leading integrated circuits enabling high-power, high-efficiency power management systems.

We are committed to delivering the highest level of validation quality by continuously improving test coverage, measurement accuracy, repeatability, automation, and execution efficiency while reducing overall validation time.

As a Principal Validation Engineer, you will serve as a recognized technical leader within the organization, defining and driving validation strategies for complex power management products and technology platforms. You will play a key role in shaping validation methodologies, influencing product and system architectures, and ensuring every new product meets its electrical, functional, reliability, and performance requirements prior to production release.

Working closely with Design, Applications, Product Engineering, Quality, and System teams, you will lead the resolution of complex silicon and system-level challenges while supporting aggressive product development and New Product Introduction (NPI) schedules.

For our new Design Center in Catania, we are looking for a hands-on technical leader who combines deep validation expertise with strategic thinking, thrives on innovation, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is committed to driving engineering excellence across the organization.

Principal Responsibilities

• Drive the validation of analog, digital, mixed-signal, and power management ICs against electrical, functional, and performance specifications.
• Define and drive validation strategies, methodologies, and technical roadmaps across multiple products and technology platforms.
• Lead development of validation architectures, test frameworks, and automation strategies to improve product quality, coverage, and engineering efficiency.
• Define comprehensive validation plans and ensure requirements traceability, coverage, and compliance with quality and industry standards.
• Identify technical risks, establish mitigation strategies, and drive risk-based validation execution to support successful product releases.
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory infrastructure, measurement methodologies, and automation capabilities for advanced post-silicon evaluation.
• Lead investigation and resolution of the most complex silicon and system-level issues through data-driven analysis, characterization, and root-cause identification.
• Establish validation metrics and quality indicators to support data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to senior validation engineers and cross-functional project teams.
• Remain actively engaged in hands-on laboratory work, including silicon characterization, bench validation, and development of custom evaluation hardware when required.
• Assess product readiness, communicate technical and quality risks, and provide release recommendations to engineering and business leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Applications, Firmware, Product Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure successful product development and deployment.
• Remain actively engaged in hands-on laboratory work, including silicon characterization, bench validation, and development of custom evaluation hardware

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field, with 12-15 years of experience in power conversion, power management, semiconductor applications, or related system design.
• Demonstrated technical leadership driving validation activities across multiple product generations, programs, or technology platforms.
• Recognized expertise in validation methodologies, test strategy development, and coverage planning for complex mixed-signal and power management ICs.
• Deep expertise with laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, source meters, digital multimeters, waveform generators, logic analyzers, and thermal characterization equipment.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming, including development of automated test frameworks, laboratory automation solutions, and data analysis tools.
• Extensive experience with board-level analog and digital circuit design, schematic capture, PCB development, and hardware debugging.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate characterization and validation data into actionable product and technology recommendations.
• Extensive experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from first silicon through production release .
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive execution in fast-paced development environments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively across global cross-functional teams.
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving adoption of validation best practices across organizations.

Additional Information

• Concise and precise communication, both internal and with customers
• Strong cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity within multisite and multicultural environments
• Willingness to undertake occasional international travel
• Excellent command of verbal and written English

The expected annual pay range for this position is €75,000–€100,000. Please note that the final offer will depend on factors such as geographic location, relevant experience, and the candidate’s skill set. This role is also eligible for a bonus.

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier . With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.