System Validation Retimer Intern (Taurus)
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Employment type: Internship
Organization: System Validation / Taurus
About Astera Labs
Astera Labs is a rapidly growing semiconductor company redefining connectivity for AI and cloud infrastructure. Our intelligent connectivity solutions—built on PCIe®, CXL™, Ethernet, and custom fabrics—enable seamless data movement across compute, memory, and storage. As part of our team, you'll help validate the silicon and systems that power advanced AI platforms.
Role overview
As a System Validation Retimer Intern on the Taurus team, you'll help validate Astera Labs' Taurus Ethernet Smart Retimers, Smart Cable Modules, and related system configurations. You'll work hands-on in the lab on chip bring-up, system-level debug, and interoperability testing across AI server and networking platforms, partnering with electrical validation, firmware, and product applications teams.
This is an opportunity to apply coursework in electrical or computer engineering to high-speed Ethernet connectivity, develop practical validation skills, and contribute to products used in AI infrastructure.
Key responsibilities
- Execute system validation test plans for Taurus Ethernet Smart Retimers, Smart Cable Modules, and related hardware configurations.
- Support chip bring-up and system-level debug in laboratory environments using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, BERTs, network switches, and other validation equipment.
- Validate high-speed interconnects and AI-fabric connectivity, including signal integrity, link training, FEC statistics, and protocol compliance.
- Assist with interoperability testing across real-world server and networking platforms.
- Use scripting and validation tools to improve test repeatability, collect results, and analyze failures.
- Collaborate with electrical validation, firmware, and product applications teams to isolate root causes and drive issues toward resolution.
- Document test setups, validation results, debug findings, bring-up notes, and test reports.
Basic qualifications
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong academic foundation in circuit analysis, signals and systems, electromagnetics, or high-speed digital design through coursework or laboratory work.
- Familiarity with Ethernet standards or other high-speed serial interfaces.
- Familiarity with fundamental signal-integrity concepts such as eye diagrams, jitter, noise, impedance, and transmission lines.
- Exposure to electrical laboratory equipment, such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or network analyzers.
- Experience using a scripting or programming language such as Python, MATLAB, Tcl/TCL, or C/C++ through coursework, projects, or research.
- Comfortable working with lab tools, learning new equipment, and debugging hardware.
- Strong analytical, written, verbal, and collaborative communication skills.
Preferred qualifications
- Exposure to post-silicon validation or bring-up of connectivity IP blocks.
- Knowledge of signal-integrity analysis and eye-diagram interpretation.
- Familiarity with Linux systems, shell scripting, and version control such as Git.
- Understanding of AI workloads and how interconnect bandwidth and reliability affect system performance.
- Experience with validation automation, data analysis, or technical documentation.
Internship experience and compensation
This is a paid, hourly U.S. internship. The applicable hourly rate is determined as part of the offer process and specified in the offer letter, depending on education level ranges form $35/hour to $55/hour. U.S. interns currently receive a $500-per-week housing/relocation stipend for the duration of the internship. Interns participate in Early Career programming, including technical and professional-development sessions, community events, and an end-of-program project presentation
Equal opportunity
Astera Labs is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage anyone with relevant experience to apply.
