Design Validation Test - Lead/Principal Engineer

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.

Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

About the Role

We are seeking a hands‑on DVT Technical Lead (Individual Contributor) to own and drive the Design Validation Test (DVT) process end‑to‑end across complex electrical engineering boards and full systems. You will define validation strategy, build test plans and infrastructure, lead deep debug and root‑cause analysis (RCA), and drive closure through design changes and re‑test. The domain includes difficult power delivery technology, fast high‑speed I/O, and electro‑mechanical systems with thermal, optics, and high‑power constraints. People management is not required (mentoring is a plus).

What You’ll Own

1) Board / Subassembly DVT (EE-heavy)

• Own DVT for complex PCBAs and subassemblies from first power‑on through design sign‑off.

• Power validation: power‑up/down sequencing, regulator/hotswap behavior, rail margining, DC IR drop, and AC noise/ripple characterization.

• Clock distribution validation and high‑speed I/O interface validation (e.g., Ethernet/PCIe-class links, board‑to‑board connectors and cabling).

• Low‑speed system management interface validation (e.g., I2C/SPI/USB) and debug of intermittent or systemic failures.

• Stress/environmental testing (extended runtime, temperature cycling) and characterization under margined conditions.

2) System-level DVT (integration + electro-mechanical)

• Own system integration validation planning and execution across representative configurations and operating envelopes.

• Drive readiness and execution across lab and chamber environments, including dependency management (test scripts, instrumentation, SW readiness, sample availability).

• Validate and debug system-level issues spanning electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optics interactions.

• Partner with reliability and manufacturing teams to ensure DVT coverage supports ramp readiness and reduces escapes.

Key Responsibilities

DVT Strategy, Plans, and Coverage

• Define a risk‑based DVT strategy spanning board/subassembly engineering validation through system integration validation.

• Author and maintain DVT plans, procedures, and reports with crisp pass/fail criteria and coverage rationale.

• Establish stage gates and readiness reviews for execution quality (fixtures, instrumentation, scripts, SW readiness).

Hands-on Validation, Debug, and Closure

• Build and own benchtop and rack-level validation setups that are repeatable and automation‑friendly.

• Lead RCA for validation failures; drive corrective actions with design teams; verify fixes through re‑test and data review.

• Execute and interpret power integrity/stability measurements (voltage/current stability, droop, ripple/noise, IR drop) and close gaps to requirements.

• Validate high‑speed interconnect performance and margin; isolate failures across channel, connector/cable, PHY, and firmware/diagnostics layers.

DVT Infrastructure, Automation, and Data

• Partner with diagnostics/software to improve DVT throughput via scripting, logging, and standardized test stages.

• Define required data capture and reporting standards to accelerate debug and support release gating.

• Drive continual improvements to test coverage, efficiency, and repeatability across builds.

Cross-functional Technical Leadership

• Align EE/ME/FW/Diagnostics/Reliability/Manufacturing on priorities, schedules, and closure criteria.

• Influence design-for-testability improvements (debug visibility, margining hooks, instrumentation points, serviceability).

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical or Computer Eng