Custom LSI (Peripheral SoC) Development and Evaluation Engineer for PlayStation

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

【Job Description】

You will be responsible for the development and evaluation of custom LSI used in our products, including PlayStation. After joining, depending on your previous career and skill set, you are expected to be in charge of areas such as digital domains (CPU/microcontroller, Bus/Peripheral, etc.), I/F (USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.), and analog domains (Power, ADC, signal quality, etc.).

【Specifically】

① LSI Specification Formulation 　While listening to the requests of product planning, hardware, software, and game developers, you will consider the "best LSI for several years from now (performance/cost/quality/supply)" and determine the specifications. ② Development and Design 　You will perform joint design and development in cooperation with external LSI development companies. ③ Verification and Evaluation of Prototype Products 　You will confirm whether the prototype chip "meets our desired functions" and "can deliver the expected performance." ④ Product Implementation Support 　Beyond just LSI development, you will support implementation into products by cooperating with hardware and software departments. You will also perform quality improvement and failure analysis after mass production.

In specification formulation and verification/evaluation, depending on your assigned area, you will need to understand Hardware at a low level, such as cache, memory, bus, and I/F, and approach problems logically.

For LSI verification and evaluation, you will create and evaluate evaluation programs such as C/C++/Python, etc.

In collaboration with many world-class LSI Design Houses, we conduct highly competitive LSI development using cutting-edge architectures, IP (CPU, Codec, high-speed I/F, power control, Security), and semiconductor processes.

We focus on extracting maximum performance at the optimal cost.

【Position Appeal】

■ The architectures of CPUs and other components used in PlayStation LSI utilize cutting-edge technology, allowing you to gain experience in introducing advanced semiconductor technology into actual consumer products. ■ We actively utilize the latest processes even in the semiconductor processes that have been a hot topic in recent years, allowing you to develop while considering how to incorporate new processes and IP into products. ■ You can start from what you want to realize as a product to think about LSI specifications, develop with global semiconductor partners, evaluate actual chips, and ultimately be involved up to the point where they are installed in PlayStation. It is an environment where you can feel how the LSI you were involved in developing is used in PlayStation. ■ You can learn the entire development flow from LSI specification formulation, design, and evaluation to mass production, expanding your career and perspective. ■ By engaging in this work, you can gain precious semiconductor development experience even within Japan. Additionally, you can proceed with development while having technical discussions with LSI Design Houses and IP vendors around the world, as well as internal HW/SW engineers.

【Organization / Workplace Introduction】

We develop the custom LSI that forms the core of SIE products, including PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2.

The team consists of experts in a wide range of fields, such as LSI architecture, LSI design verification, HW design, and SW development, and we proceed with development through many discussions and considerations every day.

【After Joining】

A tutor will be assigned to you.

We have a system in place where, if you encounter any difficulties in your work, you can check with your tutor and get accustomed to the role, allowing you to settle into the team with peace of mind.

【The Appeal of Working at SIE / Employee Voices】

■ Being able to deliver enjoyment to people while enjoying it yourself through large-scale BtoC service provision.

■ Being entrusted with projects that have a large impact on products, regardless of your year of entry.

■ Being able to communicate various improvement proposals in a flat manner.

■ High degree of freedom in remote work and ease of schedule adjustment.

■ Members with various backgrounds work here, and there is a culture that naturally accepts adjusting work for private events or work-life balance.

■ Because software, hardware, and networks are all developed in-house, if there is something you don't understand, you can immediately go and consult the person in charge.

■ There are many sophisticated engineers in residence whom you can aspire to become in the future.

【Required Practical Experience / Skills】

■ Mandatory (MUST) ・3 or more years of development work experience in any of the following areas, or equivalent practical experience:

• Digital LSI/SoC design, verification, and evaluation such as microcontrollers (ARM/TrustZone/DMA/Timer, etc.), memory, bus, Peripheral, high-speed I/F (USB/HDMI/DisplayPort, etc.), analog, power, Security, etc.
• Development and evaluation of systems, HW, FW/SW using LSI
• LSI/IP specification formulation, technical study, and problem analysis

・Driver development, development of evaluation programs/scripts (C/C++, Python, etc.), and actual evaluation experience ・SW/FW development experience on OS such as Linux ・Ability to read English specifications. Ability to communicate via email in English. Ability to conduct basic technical Q&A in English with overseas development partners. ・Experience in consultation/negotiation with overseas external companies or other internal teams

• Experience in organizing issues regarding your assigned area and driving them to resolution while discussing with stakeholders
• Experience in analyzing causes based on facts such as specifications and measurement results for technical issues and proposing solutions

■ Desirable (WANT)

　・Experience in a series of operations from product/custom LSI specification study to verification, evaluation, and mass production implementation 　・Experience leading a team, project, or technical theme 　・Evaluation/analysis experience regarding Power/Signal Integrity of high-speed I/F 　・Knowledge of I/F (USB/DisplayPort/HDMI, etc.) standards and certification 　・Development and evaluation experience of Low speed I/O such as UART, I2C, I2S, SPI, etc.

■ Ideal Candidate Profile

　・Those interested in developing as one team with passion 　・Those who can plan the path to achieving goals themselves and propose/execute them 　・Those who can proactively execute the construction of cooperation systems with other teams and lead discussions 　・Those with the ability to actively lead members as a leader in the future 　・Those who can solve problems with logical thinking

■ Related Articles Please also refer to the VP interview of the LSI development department and interview articles of active employees.

SIE's LSI development department, where experts with diverse strengths gather - Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Experienced Hire Interview: LSI Development Engineer ① Experienced Hire Interview: LSI Development Engineer ② New Graduate Interview: LSI Development Engineer

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Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.