System Validation Engineer Various Levels

Role Overview

Astera Labs is seeking System Validation Engineers across multiple levels to lead post-silicon bring-up and system validation for high-performance PCIe and CXL memory expansion products used in AI and cloud data centers. You will design and execute validation plans, automate data-centric test flows, drive root-cause investigations across silicon, firmware, hardware, and systems, and work directly with customers to validate real world performance and interoperability.

This role is based in our Vancouver office, which is a strategic growth hub for Astera Labs validation team. Youll have the opportunity to be a foundational member of this expanding site while collaborating closely with our core team in San Jose. This is a unique chance to help shape the teams culture, processes, and technical direction as we scale our validation capabilities to meet surging demand for AI infrastructure connectivity.

What Success Looks Like:

• New silicon and platforms brought up on schedule with reproducible validation results
• Automated test suites that reduce manual effort and provide clear pass/fail and performance metrics
• Rapid, data-backed root-cause resolution of system issues and strong customer satisfaction during integration

Key Responsibilities

Validation Planning & Strategy

• Create comprehensive validation plans for AI fabric switch products covering functionality, performance, reliability, and interoperability
• Contribute to compliance testing strategies and adapt consortium test cases for execution from x86 and ARM platforms
• Produce clear, data-driven validation reports and status updates for internal stakeholders and customers

Silicon & System Bring-Up

• Lead silicon and platform bring-up activities, verify boot and runtime behavior on x86 and ARM systems
• Ensure timely readiness for customer engagements and product launches
• Debug complex issues across PCIe, CXL, NVMe, Ethernet, firmware, and hardware layers using protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and CPU-based tool suites

Test Automation & Infrastructure

• Develop robust, repeatable automation for IC and board testing with emphasis on execution efficiency, data collection, analysis, and automated reporting
• Design experiments to root-cause unexpected behavior and report results and specification compliance in an automated fashion

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate directly with customers to capture system requirements, reproduce customer scenarios, and demonstrate product capabilities
• Drive cross-functional root-cause analysis with silicon, firmware, hardware, and system teams and document findings and corrective actions

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 2-12+ years of experience supporting or developing complex SoC or silicon products for server, storage, or networking domains (level dependent)
• Working understanding of x86 and ARM architectures and UEFI/Linux boot sequences
• Solid grasp of high-speed signaling principles
• Hands-on experience with high-speed protocols such as PCIe, CXL, NVMe, or Ethernet
• Proven experience in silicon and system bring-up, validation, and debug in lab and customer environments
• Strong Python automation skills for bench control, test orchestration, data analysis, and reporting
• Experience with lab equipment including protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, in-circuit debuggers, and CPU-based tool suites
• Strong prioritization, planning, and independent execution skills with a customer-focused mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Working knowledge of C or C++ for embedded firmware and device drivers
• Familiarity with PCIe compliance standards and experience adapting consortium tests for platform execution
• Advanced understanding of memory architectures, high-speed signaling, and system boot flows
• Track record of influencing cross-functional teams and navigating complex matrixed organizations
• Entrepreneurial, can-do attitude with ability to think and act with the customer in mind

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $125,000 - $290,000 CAD depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives, and benefits.