Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.
Proven expertise in bare-metal embedded firmware development with strong C programming skills.
Experience with various microcontrollers and firmware debugging tools.
Proficiency in modern version control workflows (e.g., Git) and CI/CD tools.
Hands-on, proactive approach suitable for a fast-paced startup environment.
Silicon bring-up experience.
Experience in scripting with high-level languages like Python.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and optimize embedded firmware for high-speed SerDes interfaces.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement control algorithms for photonic circuits.
Write and maintain unit and integration tests for firmware modules.
Develop firmware test code for initial silicon power-on and debugging.
Partner with hardware and software teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
Maintain clear technical documentation including APIs and firmware architecture.
Benefits
Opportunity to shape the future of optical interconnect technology.
Work in a dynamic startup environment with a focus on innovation.
Collaborative culture with cross-functional team engagement.
Hands-on involvement in cutting-edge technology development.
Full Job Description
Sr. Staff Engineer: Embedded Firmware
Location: San Jose (on-site)
In this role, you will drive firmware design from inception to customer deployment, ensuring seamless hardware validation and integration. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise in embedded systems, multi-chip package environments, and high-speed SerDes to shape the future of optical interconnect.
Essential Functions:
Design, develop, and optimize embedded firmware for controlling high-speed SerDes interfaces and electronic/photonic subsystems.
Collaborate closely with analog/mixed-signal, digital, and photonic block designers to develop and implement sophisticated control algorithms for our photonic circuits and establish the micro-architecture and embedded requirements for our multi-chip package systems.
Write unit tests and integration tests for firmware modules; participate in firmware code reviews; maintain high-quality firmware through CI/CD practices.
Develop and execute firmware test code to support initial silicon power-on and bringup activities; debug hardware-firmware interactions at first silicon.
Partner effectively with hardware, validation, systems, and software teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
Maintain clear technical documentation including APIs, firmware architecture documents, module specifications, and build/release notes
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or a related field with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
Proven expertise in bare-metal embedded firmware development, with strong programming skills in C.
Experience with various microcontrollers and firmware debugging tools.
Proficiency with modern version control workflows (e.g., Git), modern firmware development tools, and CI/CD tools.
Hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
Silicon bring-up experience.
Experience in scripting with high level language like Python.
Experience with Make-based build flows.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to own architecture and development of firmware modules from scratch.
Experience in embedded firmware development for high-speed electronics and photonics applications.
Silicon bring-up experience for high-speed SerDes and photonics applications.
Salary Range: $180,000 - $223,000
NOTE TO RECRUITERS: Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don't send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
