Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer

As a Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer at Cerebras Systems, your main responsibilities include testing, bringing up, and running burn-in on wafer-scale systems. You will utilize silicon redundancy to repair issues based on defect signatures, run repair algorithms, and enhance wafer performance and quality. Debugging production issues and driving root cause analysis to provide effective solutions will also be a significant part of your role.

To qualify for the Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer role at Cerebras Systems, you need a BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, accompanied by 5 or more years of industry experience. Solid experience in hardware bring-up, debugging complex systems such as ASICs, SoCs, or microprocessors, and proficiency in scripting languages like Python or Perl are crucial requirements.

For a successful Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer at Cerebras Systems, strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills are essential. Additionally, a solid understanding of computer architecture, design for test (DFT), automatic test pattern generation (ATPG), and familiarity with lab equipment like logic analyzers and oscilloscopes will be greatly beneficial in optimizing the silicon testing process.

The Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer plays a vital role at Cerebras Systems by ensuring the quality and reliability of our advanced wafer-scale engines. Your work will directly enable our production ramp-up and enhance the performance of our revolutionary AI chips, influencing projects that serve global clients across various industries, including healthcare and technology.

Cerebras Systems fosters a unique work culture that combines the stability of a well-established company with the vitality of a startup. As a Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer, you can expect a respectful and innovative environment where individual beliefs and collaborative efforts are celebrated. We emphasize continuous learning and professional growth while working on groundbreaking technology aimed at transforming the AI landscape.

When discussing your experience with silicon testing, focus on specific projects where you conducted tests, the types of silicon components you worked with, and the methodologies employed. Highlight any challenges faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your problem-solving skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams.

When addressing your debugging strategies, explain how you approach identifying the root cause of issues methodically. Discuss your use of tools such as logic analyzers or oscilloscopes, and share examples where you successfully optimized performance or corrected failures, demonstrating your analytical thinking and technical expertise.

To ensure effective collaboration with silicon and operations teams, emphasize your commitment to open communication and regular updates. Discuss specific collaborative projects, how you navigate conflicts, and the importance of building strong working relationships to achieve shared goals, showcasing your interpersonal skills.

When discussing DFT, explain its role in enhancing testability within silicon design. Mention how your knowledge of DFT principles helps inform your testing protocols, and provide examples of how implementing these strategies improved fault detection and system reliability in your past work.

In your response, recount a specific scenario where wafer optimization was needed. Describe the initial challenges, the analytical and practical steps taken to improve performance or quality, and the results achieved. Highlight your attention to detail and the methodologies you used to reach a successful outcome.

Discuss any experience you have with scripting languages such as Python or Perl. Provide examples of how you utilized these languages to automate testing processes, analyze data efficiently, or troubleshoot issues, demonstrating your technical proficiency and how it can benefit your role as a Silicon Bring-up and Debug Engineer.

When addressing your approach to root cause analysis, detail the systematic steps you take to investigate issues. Talk about how you collect data, analyze patterns, and collaborate with teams to verify findings, ensuring a comprehensive solution to the problem while underscoring your commitment to quality.

Share a detailed narrative of a successful project in silicon bring-up. Discuss the project scope, your role in leading the team, the challenges encountered, the strategies deployed, and the successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your leadership capabilities and technical expertise in bringing complex silicon projects to fruition.

Discuss various challenges such as understanding defect signatures, optimizing performance, or maintaining quality. Offer insights on how you'll approach these challenges through innovative problem solving and collaboration, illustrating your proactive mindset.

In your response, express your enthusiasm for Cerebras Systems' revolutionary technology and mission in AI. Discuss how your skills and passions align with the company’s goals and how you see yourself contributing to its continued success, emphasizing your desire to be part of a forward-thinking team.