OPT Design Verification Jobs
Design Verification engineers validate that hardware behaves as specified before tape-out, making this one of the most in-demand roles in semiconductor and chip design. Most positions require a bachelor's or master's in electrical engineering or computer engineering, which aligns well with STEM OPT's 36-month authorization window.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
Imagine what you can do here. Apple is a place where extraordinary people gather to do their lives best work. Together we create products and experiences people once couldn't have imagined, and now, can't imagine living without. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do.
DESCRIPTION
APPLE INC has the following available in Cupertino, California and various unanticipated locations throughout the USA. Ensure bug-free first silicon for part of the SoC / IP and developing detailed test and coverage plans based on the micro-architecture. Develop verification methodology suitable for the IP, ensuring a scalable and portable environment. Develop verification environment, including all the respective components such as stimulus, checkers, assertions, trackers, coverage. Develop verification plans for all features under care, execute verification plans, including design bring-up, DV environment bring-up, regression enabling all features under my care, and debug of the test failures. Develop block, IP and SoC level test-benches track and report DV progress using a variety of metrics, including bugs and coverage. 40 hours/week. At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $174,149 - $225,300/yr and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
PAY & BENEFITS: Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits: https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html. Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering or a related field.
- Experience and/or education must include:
- Utilizing System Verilog for constrained random verification and functional coverage.
- Utilizing UVM to develop verification environments and implement directed and random test cases.
- Utilizing C and C++ demonstrating strong software skills in data structures and algorithms.
- Utilizing Python and Perl for test vector generation and executable scripts.
- Utilizing EDA tools for testbench simulations, debugging, and coverage closure.
- Utilizing High-speed interface protocols for verifying high bandwidth, low power data communication systems.
- Utilizing Digital Design for understanding ASIC design flows and verification.
- Utilizing Computer Architecture for exploration of memory subsystem and architecture trade-off analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- N/A
This position is not subject to the application limits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
Imagine what you can do here. Apple is a place where extraordinary people gather to do their lives best work. Together we create products and experiences people once couldn't have imagined, and now, can't imagine living without. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do.
DESCRIPTION
APPLE INC has the following available in Cupertino, California and various unanticipated locations throughout the USA. Ensure bug-free first silicon for part of the SoC / IP and developing detailed test and coverage plans based on the micro-architecture. Develop verification methodology suitable for the IP, ensuring a scalable and portable environment. Develop verification environment, including all the respective components such as stimulus, checkers, assertions, trackers, coverage. Develop verification plans for all features under care, execute verification plans, including design bring-up, DV environment bring-up, regression enabling all features under my care, and debug of the test failures. Develop block, IP and SoC level test-benches track and report DV progress using a variety of metrics, including bugs and coverage. 40 hours/week. At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $174,149 - $225,300/yr and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
PAY & BENEFITS: Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits: https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html. Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering or a related field.
- Experience and/or education must include:
- Utilizing System Verilog for constrained random verification and functional coverage.
- Utilizing UVM to develop verification environments and implement directed and random test cases.
- Utilizing C and C++ demonstrating strong software skills in data structures and algorithms.
- Utilizing Python and Perl for test vector generation and executable scripts.
- Utilizing EDA tools for testbench simulations, debugging, and coverage closure.
- Utilizing High-speed interface protocols for verifying high bandwidth, low power data communication systems.
- Utilizing Digital Design for understanding ASIC design flows and verification.
- Utilizing Computer Architecture for exploration of memory subsystem and architecture trade-off analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- N/A
This position is not subject to the application limits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 119+ OPT Design Verification Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Design Verification Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Design Verification
Target semiconductor-heavy hiring cycles
Semiconductor companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD concentrate hiring in Q1 and Q3. Applying in these windows gives you the best chance of securing an offer before your OPT start date, leaving time for onboarding paperwork.
Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT
Design Verification falls under CIP code 14.1001 (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) for most EE and CE graduates. Confirm your degree CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to ensure your 24-month STEM extension is valid.
Lead with your verification methodology in applications
Employers screening OPT applicants move faster when they see UVM, SystemVerilog, or formal verification listed prominently. A methodology-first resume signals you can contribute from day one, which reduces perceived sponsorship risk for hiring managers.
Engage with employers before your OPT expires
H-1B visa cap season runs April through June for October starts. If your OPT expires in late 2026, you need an offer by early 2026 to fit within the H-1B timeline. Track your expiration date and set job search milestones accordingly.
Prioritize fabless and OSAT companies for H-1B sponsorship
Fabless semiconductor firms and outsourced assembly and test companies sponsor H-1B visas at high rates due to persistent engineering shortages. These employers are accustomed to the process and less likely to withdraw offers due to sponsorship concerns.
Document your verification contributions with metrics
Hiring managers at visa-sponsoring companies want evidence of impact. Quantify your work: coverage closure percentages, bugs caught pre-silicon, or simulation runtimes reduced. Concrete numbers make your case stronger during both hiring and any future H-1B petition.
Design Verification OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Design Verification roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Design Verification is rooted in electrical engineering or computer engineering, both of which appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. If your degree falls under a qualifying CIP code, your employer must sign a formal training plan (Form I-983) to activate the extension. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before relying on STEM eligibility.
How do I find Design Verification employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles open to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you're not sorting through positions that exclude international candidates. Semiconductor companies filing Labor Condition Applications with the Department of Labor are publicly searchable and represent your strongest pool. Focus on companies with established hardware teams, as they have recurring verification headcount and sponsorship infrastructure already in place.
Can I work as a Design Verification contractor on OPT?
Yes, but there are constraints. OPT allows contract and consulting work as long as the role is directly related to your degree and you work at least 20 hours per week. For STEM OPT, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign Form I-983, which some staffing firms and smaller contractors won't do. Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting any contract offer.
What happens to my OPT status if my Design Verification role ends mid-authorization?
You enter a 60-day grace period the day your employment ends. During that window, you can search for a new qualifying role, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to depart the U.S. You cannot work during the grace period. Unemployment also counts against your OPT authorization: post-completion OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment, and STEM OPT allows an additional 60 days.
Does working at a startup affect my STEM OPT eligibility as a Design Verification engineer?
It can. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, which many early-stage startups have not completed. If the startup is not E-Verify enrolled, it cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, regardless of the role's technical nature. Ask the hiring manager directly before interviewing, and check E-Verify enrollment status on the DHS website. Established fabless startups with institutional backing are more likely to have compliance infrastructure in place.