Senior Verification Engineer

About Fractile

Fractile is pioneering silicon, systems, and software innovations designed to revolutionize AI by enabling the fastest, most cost-efficient processing of advanced models globally. Our team consists of experts across hardware and software domains committed to driving this transformation, and we are expanding swiftly to fulfill demand and scale our products.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Silicon Verification Engineer to join our team in either Bristol or London, reporting to the Director of Frontend Silicon. This role focuses on delivering world-class machine learning and AI integrated circuit products tailored for data center scale applications. The ideal candidate has a strong background in pre-silicon RTL verification within high-performance, fast-paced organizations.

Key Responsibilities and Work Approach

• Lead and execute rigorous pre-silicon RTL verification efforts including planning and specification-driven testing.
• Create robust testbenches and generate stimuli to validate hardware blocks effectively.
• Develop functional hardware models and verification checkers to ensure design integrity.
• Define and close coverage metrics to guarantee comprehensive verification.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as modelling, system architecture, and RTL design to maintain high functional quality of RTL releases.
• Participate in discussions regarding specification, architecture, and workflow optimization to align the company on product correctness.
• Innovate and enhance verification methodologies with a software-driven approach to hardware challenges.
• Drive initiatives that improve hardware development practices and strengthen hardware-software team integration.
• Operate with ownership and agility, engaging directly with company leadership to deliver hardware solutions swiftly.

Desired Mindset and Attributes

• Adopts a software-centric perspective to address hardware problems.
• Thrives in a high-impact, small team environment.
• Challenges conventional hardware development paradigms and introduces improvements.
• Exemplifies meticulous attention to detail and maintains rigorous work standards.
• Demonstrates humility, eagerness to learn, and willingness to work collaboratively in a dynamic setting.

Required Skills and Experience

• Expertise in pre-silicon RTL verification methodologies.
• Proficient in verification planning, testbench creation, stimulus design, and coverage management.
• Competent in hardware block functional modeling and checker development.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, with openness to other languages.
• Solid understanding of digital hardware principles and ability to read and debug RTL written in SystemVerilog.
• Experience in debugging waveforms to troubleshoot design issues.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with transaction-level modeling, including UVM, SystemC, or similar approaches.
• Knowledge of SystemVerilog Assertions (SVA).
• Proficiency in multiple software programming languages.
• Familiarity with open source silicon development tools such as Cocotb, Verilator, and Icarus Verilog.
• Exposure to commercial EDA tools and formal verification techniques.
• Experience working in monorepository software development environments; knowledge of Bazel is a plus but not mandatory.
• Ability to engage in architectural discussions and contribute to design decisions.

How We Operate

• Empowered ownership with autonomy to progress your work independently.
• Rapid ideation to production cycles facilitated by direct interaction with senior leadership.
• Cross-disciplinary teamwork spanning hardware, software, silicon, and modelling experts aiming for impactful product delivery.
• An optimistic yet pragmatic attitude committed to overcoming challenges and achieving goals.
• Collaborative spirit valuing the best ideas and collective success over individual credit.

Additional Information

• Fractile was established in 2022 and currently has a team of over 100 members, experiencing rapid growth.
• Our offices are modern, open spaces located in London and Bristol.
• We foster a culture grounded in collaboration, curiosity, entrepreneurial mindset, and technical excellence.
• Certain positions may involve work with technologies restricted by export controls, necessitating additional eligibility verification as required by law.