Description
WHAT YOU DO AT AMD CHANGES EVERYTHING
At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you'll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world's most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career.
Principal Validation Engineer – Virtualization
THE ROLE
We are seeking a highly experienced Software Design Engineer with deep expertise in virtualization technologies, Linux internals, and server validation. The ideal candidate brings hands-on proficiency in C/C++/Python development combined with extensive experience designing test strategies for complex datacenter and enterprise environments. In this senior role, you will architect robust validation frameworks, drive test automation initiatives, provide technical leadership, and collaborate closely with development teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality virtualization and compute software.
THE PERSON
The ideal candidate is passionate about software engineering and demonstrates strong technical leadership in driving complex challenges to resolution. Your curiosity fuels continuous learning and innovation—improving how we work as a team and organization every day. As a lead engineer, you will mentor others, influence technical direction, and help shape engineering best practices. You will thrive in a results-oriented, collaborative environment that supports your continued growth and impact.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership & Strategy
- Architect and drive comprehensive test strategies for complex system-level virtualization and compute features
- Provide technical guidance on testability, design decisions, and quality improvements across cross-functional teams
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives in test processes, tooling, and coverage
- Influence product quality through early engagement in design and requirements reviews
Test Design & Execution
- Design, develop, and execute comprehensive test plans and test cases for virtualization platforms and compute technologies
- Perform functional, integration, and system-level testing across multiple Linux distributions and Windows environments
- Ensure thorough test coverage and create traceable test cases linked to requirements
Debugging & Root Cause Analysis
- Analyze and debug complex issues across the full software stack using deep knowledge of Linux internals, virtualization layers, system services, kernel behavior, and performance tools
- Lead failure investigations, perform root cause analysis, and provide detailed technical findings to development teams
Automation & Infrastructure
- Develop and maintain automated test suites using gtest, ctest, and other relevant frameworks
- Write clean, maintainable C/C++ and Python code for test automation, validation tools, and testing infrastructure
- Drive adoption of automation best practices and scalable testing solutions
Mentorship & Culture
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, fostering technical growth and engineering excellence
- Contribute to building a high-quality, collaborative engineering culture
- Share knowledge and establish best practices across the organization
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- 12+ years of industry experience in software development, testing, validation, or system bring-up
- Product development or systems engineering background with hardware platforms and their software/firmware ecosystems
Virtualization & Compute Expertise
- Solid understanding of virtualization technologies (VMware, KVM, Hyper-V)
- Good experience with GPU compute frameworks (CUDA, ROCm)
- Hands-on exposure to hyperscale and enterprise server environments (network, storage, compute infrastructure)
Systems & Linux Expertise
- Deep knowledge of Linux internals: system architecture, boot flow, processes, memory management, networking, and kernel fundamentals
- Hands-on experience with multiple Linux distributions and package/configuration management
- Strong knowledge of GPU, CPU, SoC, or computer system architecture
Development & Debugging
- Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages (Python/Shell preferred)
- Expert-level debugging skills with tools such as gdb, valgrind, strace, and perf
Testing & Validation
- Experience with test frameworks such as gtest, ctest, or similar
- Solid understanding of software testing processes, SDLC, and best practices
- Proven ability to design effective test plans for complex software components
Professional Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical leadership abilities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Datacenter & Server Experience
- Experience in datacenter operations and server validation, including hardware/software qualification
- Strong understanding of server and datacenter architecture
Specialized Technologies
- Deep learning, high-performance computing, or GPU server-based computing
- CUDA GPU computing languages
- Parallel computing with MPI programming experience
- AI/ML concepts and applications
Infrastructure & DevOps
- CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
- Container technologies (Docker, Podman, Kubernetes)
- Cloud and container orchestration environments
Additional Testing Expertise
- Performance testing for hardware-software systems
- System-level, functional, and environmental stress testing
- Windows operating system validation experience
Leadership
- Demonstrated technical leadership in cross-functional environments
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and planning skills
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electronics / Electrical Engineering
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Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.
AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants' needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD's “Responsible AI Policy” is available here.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
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