Lead ASIC Engineer - Boise, ID / Salt Lake City, UT / Scottsdale, AZ / San Jose, CA Onsite

Position               : Lead ASIC Engineer

Location              : Boise, ID /  Salt Lake City, UT / Scottsdale, AZ / San Jose, CA Onsite - could be some flexibility for remote

Duration             : Long term contract

Description

Our client, a leading federal defense contractor, is looking for a Lead ASIC Engineer to drive verification strategy and execution for cutting-edge ASIC and FPGA developments. This is a high-visibility role where your technical leadership will directly influence systems that matter on a national scale.

If you thrive on solving hard verification problems, mentoring strong engineering teams, and owning outcomes from architecture through sign-off, this role offers real runway to grow into broader technical leadership.

What You'll Own:

Verification Strategy and Leadership

• Lead ASIC verification at the block, subsystem, and full-chip levels
• Develop verification plans, schedules, coverage goals, and completion criteria
• Drive coverage and regression results to clearly defined completion goals

Hands-On Technical Execution

• Build reusable SystemVerilog/UVM test environments and verification components
• Plan and execute simulation, regression, formal verification, and emulation activities
• Verify third-party and custom IP for functional and integration compliance
• Maintain traceability from requirements through test results and defect closure

Problem Solving and Quality

• Lead failure investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action verification
• Identify verification risks early and develop practical mitigation plans
• Provide feedback to design and architecture teams on issues affecting verification

Communication and Mentorship

• Present verification status, evidence, and recommendations at technical reviews
• Produce clear, accurate verification plans, procedures, and reports
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to verification engineers
• Improve verification processes, automation, metrics, and reusable assets

Program Support

• Support vendor oversight, proposals, estimates, and program planning as needed
• Use approved AI-enabled tools where they add clear engineering value while protecting sensitive information

Required Skills

• Must have an active DoD Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of ASIC and SoC verification processes.
• Strong proficiency in SystemVerilog, UVM, assertions, coverage, and regression testing.
• Experience developing reusable testbench components and register models.
• Strong understanding of RTL, digital logic, interfaces, clocks, and resets.
• Ability to convert requirements into measurable verification objectives and tests.
• Experience debugging simulations and determining root causes.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Perl, Tcl, Bash, and Python.
• Experience with ASIC simulation and debug tools such as VCS, Verdi, Questa, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with Linux, version control, and automated regression environments.
• Ability to communicate technical results clearly to varied audiences.
• Ability to lead multiple activities while maintaining quality and schedule.
• Strong technical judgment, mentoring, and problem-solving skills.

Expected Performance Outcomes:

• Verification plans and requirements traceability are complete and current.
• Results provide credible evidence that design requirements are met.
• Coverage, regression, and defect goals are achieved or have approved exceptions.
• Critical failures and risks are identified early and resolved on schedule.
• Technical reviews receive clear, accurate, and timely information.
• Verification methods and automation improve program execution over time.
• Technical leadership supports successful completion of program milestones.