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ASIC Validation Engineer

Open 54d posting dated 2 days ago

Summary

Designs and validates custom silicon for bitcoin mining hardware, debugging ASICs, boards, and firmware in a lab setting while building test tools and automation.

Proto is accelerating the world's transition to an open economy with products that increase access and independence for everyone. We're building Bitkey, a simple and safe self-custody bitcoin wallet that will put customers in control, as well as hardware and software that will help decentralize bitcoin mining and enable new and innovative use cases for bitcoin mining. We're developing these products in the open - you can read more about them at and . Within Proto, our Bitcoin Products team delivers the product and go-to-market strategy, software, firmware, and custom silicon needed to make Bitkey and our ambitious mining initiatives a reality. Come build the future of money with us!

The Role

We are looking for an ASIC Validation Engineer to help bridge the gap between custom mining silicon design and real-world operation. In this highly hands-on, lab-focused role, you'll work closely with ASIC designers and system engineers to debug issues, build test infrastructure, and generate the data needed to enable rapid design iteration and system-level development.

You Will:

  • Bring up new silicon on bench platforms, evaluation boards, and system hardware
  • Debug issues across ASIC, board, firmware, and system interactions
  • Develop bench tests, scripts, and tools to exercise silicon features and collect data
  • Build and maintain test setups (lab automation, instrumentation, fixtures, scripts)
  • Partner with ASIC designers to validate functionality and root-cause failures
  • Work with system engineers to ensure silicon performs correctly in target system environments, including mining systems
  • Generate and analyze data to support design decisions, characterization, and bring-up
  • Create lightweight, reusable test workflows and documentation for the broader team
  • Support early manufacturing efforts with practical validation and debug, as needed
  • Travel up to 20% to the labs in Oakland, CA or Toronto, Canada

You Have:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
  • 4+ years of experience in silicon validation, hardware test, or related roles
  • Strong hands-on experience in a lab environment (bench bring-up, debugging, instrumentation)
  • Solid understanding of digital systems and basic analog concepts
  • Experience writing scripts or tools (Python preferred) for test and data analysis
  • Comfortable debugging issues that span multiple layers (ASIC ↔ board ↔ system)
  • Clear communication skills and ability to work closely with cross-functional teams

Preferred:

  • Experience with ASIC or FPGA bring-up and validation
  • Familiarity with common interfaces (SPI, I2C, JTAG, UART, etc.)
  • Experience using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, etc.)
  • Exposure to high-performance, power-dense systems (e.g., mining ASICs, accelerators, or similar)
  • Experience building test automation or internal tooling
  • Familiarity with data analysis and visualization

Nice to Have

  • Experience working with early silicon / first bring-up environments
  • Exposure to manufacturing test or ATE
  • Experience working on systems with tight power, thermal, and performance constraints

Block takes a market-based approach to pay, and pay may vary depending on your location. Canada locations are categorized into one of two zones based on a cost of labor index for that geographic area. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Zone A:
$159,900$239,900 CAD
Zone B:
$159,900$239,900 CAD

Application Guidelines

Candidates may submit up to 9 active applications within a 60-day period. Reapplications to the same role are accepted 90 days after a previous application has been reviewed.

Use of AI in Our Hiring Process

We may use automated AI tools to evaluate job applications for efficiency and consistency. These tools comply with local regulations, including bias audits, and we handle all personal data in accordance with state and local privacy laws.

Contact us here with hiring practice or data usage questions.

Every benefit we offer is designed with one goal: empowering you to do the best work of your career while building the life you want. Remote work, medical insurance, flexible time off, retirement savings plans, and modern family planning are just some of our offering. Check out our other benefits at Block.

Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we’re helping build a financial system that is open to everyone.

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What this application asks

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First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location

  • LinkedIn Profile optional
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  • Tell us a bit about why you're applying to work here. What excited you about this role? written answer · optional
  • Block's purpose is economic empowerment. Briefly tell us about what that purpose means to you. written answer · optional
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  • If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please enter your dates of employment. Note that your performance history may be reviewed as part of the application process. optional
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  • By clicking “accept,” you agree that any disputes related to your application, including those related to Block’s selection process, hiring decision, and your background check, shall be submitted to binding arbitration with the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS) on an individual basis only in San Francisco, before a single arbitrator according to the applicable JAMS Rules then in effect, with Block bearing all costs unique to arbitration. To the extent permitted by law, you and Block each waive the right to initiate or participate in any class, collective, or representative action against the other in any forum (including court and arbitration). If any provision of this agreement is deemed unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in effect, except that, notwithstanding the above, under no circumstances shall class or collective, or representative proceedings be permitted in arbitration. choose any
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  • How we interview: Our hiring process prioritizes authenticity and fairness, and we ask all candidates to adhere to a few key expectations. Acceptable use of AI may differ depending on the role, so we encourage you to confirm with your recruiter what is or isn’t permitted during the process. Recording any part of the interview without consent is prohibited. However, if you need recording as an accommodation, please notify your recruiter before your scheduled interview. During virtual interviews, keep your video on to foster meaningful engagement; if you require accommodations, please inform our team in advance. Lastly, maintain confidentiality by refraining from sharing any proprietary or trade secret information from previous employers or other sources throughout the interview process. choose one
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See also