STEM OPT Design Verification Jobs
Design Verification roles in semiconductors, embedded systems, and hardware engineering are a strong fit for STEM OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, and every employer you work for must be enrolled in E-Verify.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout SiFive
As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits.
At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.
Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time.
Are you ready?
To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.
Job Description:
The Role
SiFive is looking for a Senior Design Verification Engineer to drive functional verification of high-performance CPU core units.
This role focuses on high-performance out-of-order core verification, with potential scope across areas such as Frontend, Midcore, Load-Store Unit, and Hardware Prefetch.
You will work closely with architecture, RTL, performance, and verification teams to ensure design intent is verified correctly, risks are identified early, and signoff quality is achieved with strong technical execution.
We are looking for an engineer who can independently own meaningful verification work, solve complex debug problems efficiently, and contribute reusable methodology and infrastructure to the broader CPU DV team.
Responsibilities
- Own verification planning and execution for assigned high-performance CPU core areas, from block-level verification through core-level integration.
- Create effective verification strategies and test plans based on CPU architecture and microarchitectural behavior.
- Develop and maintain robust verification environments, testbenches, checkers, scoreboards, assertions, stimulus, and coverage models.
- Define and execute directed and constrained-random tests that expose corner cases in branch prediction, instruction fetch, pipeline interactions, issue/dispatch behavior, hazard handling, load/store ordering, memory consistency, and hardware prefetch behavior.
- Analyze failures, isolate root cause, and drive fixes across RTL, testbench infrastructure, assertions, and test content.
- Collaborate closely with architecture and design teams to review specifications, identify ambiguities early, and improve verification quality and debugability.
- Write functional coverage, analyze code and functional coverage, and close coverage gaps to ensure verification completeness and signoff quality.
- Contribute to reusable DV methodology, automation, and infrastructure that improve team productivity and verification quality across future core generations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 3+ years of relevant experience in IP, CPU/core, or SoC functional verification, preferably with experience in CPU/core verification.
- Strong hands-on experience with SystemVerilog and UVM-based verification methodologies.
- Solid understanding of computer architecture and CPU microarchitecture fundamentals.
- Experience with test planning, testbench development, constrained-random verification, failure analysis, coverage analysis, and coverage closure.
- Strong debug skills and the ability to translate architectural intent into effective verification strategy and execution.
- Strong programming and scripting fundamentals for building scalable verification solutions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with high-performance out-of-order core verification.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: Frontend, Midcore, Load-Store Unit, memory ordering and consistency, or hardware prefetch verification.
- Familiarity with formal verification, emulation, or performance-oriented verification flows.
- Experience collaborating across architecture, performance, compiler, system verification, and software teams.
- Experience building reusable infrastructure and improving team-wide verification methodology.
What Success Looks Like
- Verification plans capture the real architectural and microarchitectural risks early and completely.
- Difficult CPU bugs are found early, debugged efficiently, and closed with durable solutions.
- Coverage quality and verification productivity improve meaningfully under your ownership.
- Architecture, design, and DV teams view you as a strong technical contributor for challenging high-performance CPU verification problems.
In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/incentive compensation and/or equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a comprehensive, competitive benefits package which may include healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more!
Additional Information:
This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States of America. Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.
SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
As an E-Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, upon hire. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job candidates and will comply with all E-Verify regulations.
About SiFive
As the pioneers who introduced RISC-V to the world, SiFive is transforming the future of compute by bringing the limitless potential of RISC-V to the highest performance and most data-intensive applications in the world. SiFive’s unrivaled compute platforms are continuing to enable leading technology companies around the world to innovate, optimize and deliver the most advanced solutions of tomorrow across every market segment of chip design, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automotive, data center, mobile, and consumer. With SiFive, the future of RISC-V has no limits.
At SiFive, we are always excited to connect with talented individuals, who are just as passionate about driving innovation and changing the world as we are.
Our constant innovation and ongoing success is down to our amazing teams of incredibly talented people, who collaborate and support each other to come up with truly groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Solutions that will have a huge impact on people's lives; making the world a better place, one processor at a time.
Are you ready?
To learn more about SiFive’s phenomenal success and to see why we have won the GSA’s prestigious Most Respected Private Company Award (for the fourth time!), check out our website and Glassdoor pages.
Job Description:
The Role
SiFive is looking for a Senior Design Verification Engineer to drive functional verification of high-performance CPU core units.
This role focuses on high-performance out-of-order core verification, with potential scope across areas such as Frontend, Midcore, Load-Store Unit, and Hardware Prefetch.
You will work closely with architecture, RTL, performance, and verification teams to ensure design intent is verified correctly, risks are identified early, and signoff quality is achieved with strong technical execution.
We are looking for an engineer who can independently own meaningful verification work, solve complex debug problems efficiently, and contribute reusable methodology and infrastructure to the broader CPU DV team.
Responsibilities
- Own verification planning and execution for assigned high-performance CPU core areas, from block-level verification through core-level integration.
- Create effective verification strategies and test plans based on CPU architecture and microarchitectural behavior.
- Develop and maintain robust verification environments, testbenches, checkers, scoreboards, assertions, stimulus, and coverage models.
- Define and execute directed and constrained-random tests that expose corner cases in branch prediction, instruction fetch, pipeline interactions, issue/dispatch behavior, hazard handling, load/store ordering, memory consistency, and hardware prefetch behavior.
- Analyze failures, isolate root cause, and drive fixes across RTL, testbench infrastructure, assertions, and test content.
- Collaborate closely with architecture and design teams to review specifications, identify ambiguities early, and improve verification quality and debugability.
- Write functional coverage, analyze code and functional coverage, and close coverage gaps to ensure verification completeness and signoff quality.
- Contribute to reusable DV methodology, automation, and infrastructure that improve team productivity and verification quality across future core generations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 3+ years of relevant experience in IP, CPU/core, or SoC functional verification, preferably with experience in CPU/core verification.
- Strong hands-on experience with SystemVerilog and UVM-based verification methodologies.
- Solid understanding of computer architecture and CPU microarchitecture fundamentals.
- Experience with test planning, testbench development, constrained-random verification, failure analysis, coverage analysis, and coverage closure.
- Strong debug skills and the ability to translate architectural intent into effective verification strategy and execution.
- Strong programming and scripting fundamentals for building scalable verification solutions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with high-performance out-of-order core verification.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: Frontend, Midcore, Load-Store Unit, memory ordering and consistency, or hardware prefetch verification.
- Familiarity with formal verification, emulation, or performance-oriented verification flows.
- Experience collaborating across architecture, performance, compiler, system verification, and software teams.
- Experience building reusable infrastructure and improving team-wide verification methodology.
What Success Looks Like
- Verification plans capture the real architectural and microarchitectural risks early and completely.
- Difficult CPU bugs are found early, debugged efficiently, and closed with durable solutions.
- Coverage quality and verification productivity improve meaningfully under your ownership.
- Architecture, design, and DV teams view you as a strong technical contributor for challenging high-performance CPU verification problems.
In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for variable/incentive compensation and/or equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a comprehensive, competitive benefits package which may include healthcare and retirement plans, paid time off, and more!
Additional Information:
This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States of America. Any offer of employment for this position is also contingent on the Company verifying that you are authorized for access to export-controlled technology under applicable export control laws or, if you are not already authorized, our ability to successfully obtain any necessary export license(s) or other approvals.
SiFive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
As an E-Verify employer, we use this system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. All applicants will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, upon hire. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job candidates and will comply with all E-Verify regulations.
See all 182+ STEM OPT Design Verification Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Design Verification Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Design Verification
Confirm your CIP code covers verification roles
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an approved STEM field before applying. Electrical Engineering (14.1001) and Computer Engineering (14.0901) both qualify, but a mismatch delays your extension.
Search employers through E-Verify before applying
Use the E-Verify employer search to confirm a company is enrolled before you invest time in their process. Design Verification roles often sit inside hardware or silicon teams at companies that don't always advertise their E-Verify status publicly.
Build your I-983 training plan around functional verification
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your role. For Design Verification, name concrete skills: writing UVM testbenches, coverage closure, formal property verification, or RTL debugging, not vague goals like 'gain industry experience.'
Target companies with active USCIS LCA filings in EE roles
Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing history in electrical and computer engineering occupations, so you can focus your search on companies already set up to hire STEM OPT candidates in technical hardware roles.
Request an offer letter that specifies your direct supervisor
USCIS requires a bona fide employer-employee relationship for STEM OPT. Your offer letter should name your direct reporting manager and describe hands-on training, not just a job title, to support your DSO's I-983 sign-off without delays.
Apply 90 days before your OPT end date to avoid a gap
Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS before your initial OPT expires. Filing your I-765 at least 90 days out keeps you in a valid cap-gap period if USCIS processing extends past your OPT end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Design Verification role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree is in an approved STEM field such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science. The O*NET occupation profile for Design Verification engineers confirms the role's alignment with STEM disciplines. Your DSO verifies the CIP code match before recommending the extension in SEVIS.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Design Verification job?
Your I-983 must document specific learning goals tied to your actual work. For Design Verification, that means naming technical skills you'll develop, such as UVM methodology, SystemVerilog assertions, simulation debugging, or coverage-driven verification. Generic objectives like 'improve engineering skills' won't satisfy USCIS. Your employer's designated training supervisor must sign the form and provide mid-point and final evaluations.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer?
E-Verify maintains a public employer search tool where you can look up a company by name or location. Enrollment is required for all STEM OPT employers, so confirm this before signing an offer letter. Semiconductor and hardware design firms with federal contracts are typically already enrolled, but smaller IP or EDA startups may not be, so always verify directly.
Can I work for multiple employers on STEM OPT in a Design Verification role?
Yes, but each employer must be separately enrolled in E-Verify, and you need a separate I-983 training plan for each one. Your DSO must be notified of every employer relationship. A part-time verification contract role at a second company counts as concurrent employment and requires its own documentation. USCIS expects all training to be directly related to your qualifying STEM degree.
Where can I find Design Verification jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Design Verification roles by employers with active E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history in engineering occupations, so you're not applying blind to companies that have never hired on STEM OPT before. This saves the back-and-forth of asking HR whether they can take on a STEM OPT student for a hardware verification position.