ASIC Validation Engineer
Block is seeking an ASIC Validation Engineer to join its Bitcoin Products team within Proto, focusing on developing products that enhance access and independence in the open economy. This role is integral to bridging the gap between custom mining silicon design and real-world operation, contributing to initiatives like Bitkey, a self-custody bitcoin wallet, and hardware solutions aimed at decentralizing bitcoin mining.
The ASIC Validation Engineer will be responsible for bringing up new silicon on bench platforms, evaluation boards, and system hardware. Key duties include debugging issues across ASIC, board, firmware, and system interactions; developing bench tests, scripts, and tools to exercise silicon features and collect data; and building and maintaining test setups, including lab automation, instrumentation, fixtures, and scripts. Collaboration with ASIC designers and system engineers is essential to validate functionality, root-cause failures, and ensure silicon performs correctly in target system environments, including mining systems. The role also involves generating and analyzing data to support design decisions, characterization, and bring-up, as well as creating reusable test workflows and documentation for the broader team.
Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, along with at least 4 years of experience in silicon validation, hardware testing, or related roles. Strong hands-on experience in a lab environment, including bench bring-up, debugging, and instrumentation, is required. A solid understanding of digital systems and basic analog concepts is necessary, as well as experience writing scripts or tools, preferably in Python, for test and data analysis. Applicants should be comfortable debugging issues that span multiple layers, from ASIC to board to system, and demonstrate clear communication skills with the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams.
Preferred qualifications include experience with ASIC or FPGA bring-up and validation, familiarity with common interfaces such as SPI, I2C, JTAG, and UART, and experience using lab equipment like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies. Exposure to high-performance, power-dense systems, such as mining ASICs or accelerators, is advantageous. Experience in building test automation or internal tooling, as well as familiarity with data analysis and visualization, is also beneficial.
Block offers a competitive compensation package, with salary ranges varying based on location. For example, in Zone A, the salary range is $198,000 to $297,000 USD annually. The company provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to empower employees to do their best work while building the life they want. Benefits include remote work options, medical insurance, flexible time off, retirement savings plans, and modern family planning support.
Block is committed to building a more inclusive economy and workplace, evaluating all employees and job applicants without regard to identity or any legally protected class. The company strives to create an environment where employees have equal access to opportunity and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds.