Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Validation Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, semiconductor, and aerospace industries, with openings from entry-level process validation roles through senior IQ/OQ/PQ leads and validation managers. The San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles are the primary hiring hubs, where employers like Genentech, Boston Scientific, and Northrop Grumman consistently recruit validation professionals. The most in-demand specialties are CSV (computer software validation), medical device validation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and Part 820, and process validation for biologics and pharmaceuticals. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Celero is seeking an experienced Principal Design Validation & Test (DVT) Engineer to lead post-silicon validation for next-generation coherent DSP ASICs powering AI and hyperscale optical networking. As a key member of our engineering team, you will play a critical role in enabling first silicon, driving silicon characterization, and ensuring product readiness for customer deployment and high-volume production.
This is a highly visible technical leadership role within a fast-paced startup where you will work closely with Architecture, RTL Design, Firmware, Systems, Product Engineering, and customers to solve complex silicon challenges. You will have the opportunity to influence validation strategy, define best practices, and help build our validation infrastructure from the ground up.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead post-silicon validation and characterization of complex ASICs and SoCs from first silicon through production release.
- Develop comprehensive validation plans covering functionality, performance, interoperability, compliance, stress testing, corner cases, and reliability.
- Enable first silicon bring-up using JTAG, scan, embedded debug features, and board-level diagnostics.
- Validate high-speed interfaces including PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, CXL, SPI, I²C, MDIO, and other industry-standard protocols.
- Utilize advanced lab equipment including high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERTs, protocol analyzers, Ethernet traffic generators, network analyzers, logic analyzers, and power measurement equipment.
- Debug complex hardware, firmware, RTL, and system-level issues while working closely with cross-functional engineering teams to identify root cause and drive timely resolution.
- Develop scalable Python-based automation frameworks for test execution, regression, silicon characterization, data analysis, and reporting.
- Validate firmware, bootloaders, device drivers, and hardware/software interfaces across multiple platforms.
- Characterize silicon performance, power, thermal behavior, margins, and compliance against architectural specifications.
- Lead debug reviews and provide technical direction for validation methodology, infrastructure, and best practices.
- Support early customer engagements by reproducing and resolving system-level issues and collaborating with applications engineering.
- Document validation results, silicon characterization data, debug findings, and production readiness reports.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of hands-on post-silicon validation, DVT, or silicon bring-up experience with complex ASICs or SoCs.
- Proven experience bringing first silicon to production in networking, communications, data center, AI, or high-performance computing products.
- Strong understanding of silicon debug methodologies and structured root-cause analysis.
- Extensive experience using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, BERTs, protocol analyzers, network analyzers, logic analyzers, and related validation tools.
- Strong knowledge of one or more high-speed protocols including PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, CXL, USB, SPI, I²C, or similar interfaces.
- Strong Python programming skills for automation, regression development, and data analysis.
- Experience validating firmware, embedded software, drivers, and hardware/software interfaces.
- Ability to interpret schematics, understand board design, power sequencing, signal integrity, and hardware debug.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Architecture, Design, Firmware, Systems, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, and Customer Engineering teams.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities evolve quickly and every team member has significant technical ownership.
- Ability to work onsite at our Irvine, California headquarters.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience validating coherent optical DSPs, networking ASICs, Ethernet switch silicon, AI accelerators, GPUs, storage controllers, or high-speed communications devices.
- Strong knowledge of Ethernet, PCIe, OIF, IEEE, or related compliance specifications.
- Experience with PIPE, PCS, PMA, MAC, PHY, or other physical and protocol layers of high-speed interfaces.
- Experience building scalable validation automation, regression systems, dashboards, and data pipelines.
- Familiarity with customer platform validation and hyperscale qualification processes.
- Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives across multiple engineering disciplines.
WHY CELEO
At Celero, you'll help develop the next generation of coherent DSP technology enabling AI infrastructure and hyperscale networking. As a Principal Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to influence product architecture, shape validation strategy, work alongside industry leaders, and make a significant impact within a collaborative, high-growth startup environment where innovation, ownership, and technical excellence are valued every day.
INTRODUCTION
Celero is seeking an experienced Principal Design Validation & Test (DVT) Engineer to lead post-silicon validation for next-generation coherent DSP ASICs powering AI and hyperscale optical networking. As a key member of our engineering team, you will play a critical role in enabling first silicon, driving silicon characterization, and ensuring product readiness for customer deployment and high-volume production.
This is a highly visible technical leadership role within a fast-paced startup where you will work closely with Architecture, RTL Design, Firmware, Systems, Product Engineering, and customers to solve complex silicon challenges. You will have the opportunity to influence validation strategy, define best practices, and help build our validation infrastructure from the ground up.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead post-silicon validation and characterization of complex ASICs and SoCs from first silicon through production release.
- Develop comprehensive validation plans covering functionality, performance, interoperability, compliance, stress testing, corner cases, and reliability.
- Enable first silicon bring-up using JTAG, scan, embedded debug features, and board-level diagnostics.
- Validate high-speed interfaces including PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, CXL, SPI, I²C, MDIO, and other industry-standard protocols.
- Utilize advanced lab equipment including high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, BERTs, protocol analyzers, Ethernet traffic generators, network analyzers, logic analyzers, and power measurement equipment.
- Debug complex hardware, firmware, RTL, and system-level issues while working closely with cross-functional engineering teams to identify root cause and drive timely resolution.
- Develop scalable Python-based automation frameworks for test execution, regression, silicon characterization, data analysis, and reporting.
- Validate firmware, bootloaders, device drivers, and hardware/software interfaces across multiple platforms.
- Characterize silicon performance, power, thermal behavior, margins, and compliance against architectural specifications.
- Lead debug reviews and provide technical direction for validation methodology, infrastructure, and best practices.
- Support early customer engagements by reproducing and resolving system-level issues and collaborating with applications engineering.
- Document validation results, silicon characterization data, debug findings, and production readiness reports.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of hands-on post-silicon validation, DVT, or silicon bring-up experience with complex ASICs or SoCs.
- Proven experience bringing first silicon to production in networking, communications, data center, AI, or high-performance computing products.
- Strong understanding of silicon debug methodologies and structured root-cause analysis.
- Extensive experience using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, BERTs, protocol analyzers, network analyzers, logic analyzers, and related validation tools.
- Strong knowledge of one or more high-speed protocols including PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, CXL, USB, SPI, I²C, or similar interfaces.
- Strong Python programming skills for automation, regression development, and data analysis.
- Experience validating firmware, embedded software, drivers, and hardware/software interfaces.
- Ability to interpret schematics, understand board design, power sequencing, signal integrity, and hardware debug.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Architecture, Design, Firmware, Systems, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, and Customer Engineering teams.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities evolve quickly and every team member has significant technical ownership.
- Ability to work onsite at our Irvine, California headquarters.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience validating coherent optical DSPs, networking ASICs, Ethernet switch silicon, AI accelerators, GPUs, storage controllers, or high-speed communications devices.
- Strong knowledge of Ethernet, PCIe, OIF, IEEE, or related compliance specifications.
- Experience with PIPE, PCS, PMA, MAC, PHY, or other physical and protocol layers of high-speed interfaces.
- Experience building scalable validation automation, regression systems, dashboards, and data pipelines.
- Familiarity with customer platform validation and hyperscale qualification processes.
- Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives across multiple engineering disciplines.
WHY CELEO
At Celero, you'll help develop the next generation of coherent DSP technology enabling AI infrastructure and hyperscale networking. As a Principal Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to influence product architecture, shape validation strategy, work alongside industry leaders, and make a significant impact within a collaborative, high-growth startup environment where innovation, ownership, and technical excellence are valued every day.
See All 331+ Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Validation Engineer JobsValidation Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Validation Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple48
- Tesla38
- NVIDIA23
- Meta14
- Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences9
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software28
- Electronics & Hardware22
- Consulting & Professional Services8
- Manufacturing4
- Automotive2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in validation engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, or a closely related technical discipline
- Experience writing and executing IQ, OQ, and PQ validation protocols and summary reports
- Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 11, Part 820, or EU Annex 11 regulatory frameworks
- Proficiency with validation documentation systems such as Veeva Vault or MasterControl
- Familiarity with GAMP 5 guidelines and risk-based validation approaches
- Experience supporting audits and inspections by FDA, notified bodies, or internal quality teams
Validation Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a validation engineer in California?
Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or chemical engineering, or in a life sciences field. No state-issued license is required to work as a validation engineer in California, but roles in medical device and pharmaceutical companies expect familiarity with FDA regulations and quality systems from the start. Completing an entry-level QA or manufacturing role at a regulated facility in California's large life sciences sector is the most common path into validation work.
Which companies hire validation engineers in California?
Employers hiring validation engineers in California right now include Apple, Tesla, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of FDA-regulated medical device and biotech companies means consistent demand from both large multinationals and growing mid-size manufacturers.
Which California cities have the most validation engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Palo Alto have the most validation engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its high density of biotech and pharmaceutical headquarters, San Diego draws volume from its large medical device cluster, and Los Angeles reflects both aerospace validation demand and a growing life sciences manufacturing base.
Are there remote validation engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Validation engineering is largely a hands-on, on-site role because executing and witnessing protocols requires physical access to equipment and systems in a regulated facility. About 31% of validation engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The portions of the role most suited to remote work are documentation, protocol authoring, and CSV project coordination.
How can I get hired as a validation engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality assurance associate or manufacturing technician role at an FDA-regulated California facility, which builds direct exposure to validation activities. Large California employers in the biotech and medical device space, including those based in South San Francisco and San Diego, regularly hire new graduates into quality systems or operations roles that rotate through validation. A degree in engineering or a life sciences field, combined with any coursework or internship involving GMP environments, gives candidates a clear edge when applying.
Where can I find and apply to validation engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to validation engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the life sciences, semiconductor, and aerospace industries. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 331+ Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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