Astera Labs is hiring a Senior Director System Validation Engineer to lead and scale the system validation organization for our AI fabric portfolio. In this role, you will build a high-performing team across multiple concurrent product programs, own comprehensive validation strategies for AI fabric switch products, and drive execution through scalable automation platforms.
What You'll Do
- Lead and scale the system validation organization for Astera Labs' AI fabric portfolio, building a high-performing team across multiple concurrent product programs.
- Understand the performance and functionality requirements of our AI fabric switches to enable customers to develop Data Center systems for AI and ML applications.
- Own comprehensive validation strategies for AI fabric switch products.
- Drive execution through scalable automation platforms and data-centric testing with automated reporting and specification compliance verification.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Architecture, Hardware, Firmware, and Software teams to influence product requirements and ensure validation excellence.
- Ensure timely bring‑up of new silicon and platforms, driving root‑cause analysis and cross‑functional debug of hardware, firmware, and system issues.
- Deliver high‑confidence validation results that support product qualification, customer sampling, and mass production readiness.
- Engage directly with key customers to understand their requirements and highlight the unique capabilities of Astera Labs' solutions.
- Work closely with silicon design, architecture, Firmware, and software engineering teams to ensure cohesive validation strategies.
- Drive a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Manage resource planning, and vendor/partner relationships.
What We're Looking For
- Strong academic background in Electrical or Computer Engineering. Bachelor's required, Master's preferred.
- ≥15 years' experience supporting or developing complex SoC/silicon products for Server, Storage, Networking applications and high‑performance hardware companies.
- ≥5 years hands-on experience with Silicon/System bring-up, validation, and debug, including in customer systems.
- ≥5 years building high performance Engineering teams and validation methodologies.
- Deep understanding of CPU, GPU, SoC, or AI/ML accelerator architectures, including memory subsystems, I/O, power management, and firmware interactions.
- Expertise in validation methodologies: pre‑silicon simulation/emulation, post‑silicon bring‑up, system validation, stress testing, and performance characterization.
- Strong background in debug methodologies, lab infrastructure, and automation frameworks.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to influence executives and cross‑functional partners.
- Entrepreneurial, open-minded behavior and can-do attitude. Think and act with the customer in mind!
Nice to Have
- ≥8 years leading validation teams planning, execution and maintaining project visibility.
- ≥10 years hands-on experience with Silicon/System bring-up, validation, and debug, including in customer systems.
- Thorough knowledge of high-speed protocols like PCIe, CXL, NVMe, or Ethernet.
- Deep understanding of High-Speed Signaling Principles and x86/ARM architecture, UEFI/Linux boot sequence.
Technical Stack
- CXL
- Ethernet
- NVLink
- PCIe
- UALink
- x86/ARM architecture
- UEFI/Linux boot sequence
Team & Environment
You will lead and scale the system validation organization.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $240,000 USD - $300,000 USD
We actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.
