Silicon Validation & Characterization Engineer

• Ottawa
• Hybrid work model
• $100 000 - $135 000 base salary (Dependent on experience) + Pension + Health Insurance
• Full-time, permanent contract

5V Tech are partnering with a fast-growing, well-funded AI semiconductor stealth-mode startup, building next-generation analog AI chip architectures for ultra-low-power edge inference. Their technology is already shipping to lead customers and scaling toward volume production, and they're now looking for a Silicon Validation & Characterization Engineer to join their silicon team as they bring new devices from tape-out into full characterization.

This is a hands-on, lab-based role at the heart of their silicon program, working directly with chip designers to prove out functionality and performance on real hardware.

What you'll be working on:

• Bringing up new silicon in a lab environment
• Validating chip functionality and mixed-signal behaviour
• Running detailed transistor-level characterization
• Measuring power, performance and latency across devices
• Debugging silicon issues and root-causing anomalies
• Building and improving validation infrastructure and test setups
• Running characterization experiments to support yield and design feedback

Requirements:

• Experience with ASIC or post-silicon validation
• Strong background in mixed-signal and analog electronics
• Solid understanding of semiconductor device behaviour
• Hands-on lab skills with oscilloscopes, logic analysers, power analysers and signal generators
• Python and/or MATLAB for test automation and validation scripting
• Exposure to silicon bring-up, characterization or yield/debug work

Backgrounds we'd love to see:

• AI accelerator or semiconductor startups
• Mixed-signal chip companies
• Experience from firms like Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, Synopsys, Cadence, Intel, AMD or NVIDIA

5V Tech are acting as an Employment Agency for the purposes of this permanent vacancy. We offer a reward scheme if you can recommend someone for this position, up to $250 for you and an additional $250 to a charity of your choice. 5V Tech are recognised talent solutions experts within IoT, Semiconductors, AI and Deep Tech across Europe, the UK and North America.