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. You'll 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 team's 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 

• Bachelor's 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 

• Master's 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 

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.