Firmware Engineer - Boot & SoC Initialization

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AMD in California is seeking an embedded systems engineer to own low-level boot firmware for SoC initialization, bridging firmware and hardware in a pre-silicon environment. You will translate architecture requirements into robust code, support simulation, and work with design and verification teams across client, server, and AI platforms.

The ideal candidate has strong C/C++ for embedded systems, familiarity with ARM/RISC-V, and hands-on experience with boot flows, HDL, and pre-silicon

Qualifications

• Strong experience in low-level firmware development for embedded systems.
• Familiarity with boot flows, resets, clocks, and initialization.
• Exposure to pre-silicon environments and simulation-based development.
• Collaborative work with design verification and hardware teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain boot firmware for SoC initialization and boot flows.
• Translate architecture requirements into efficient firmware solutions.
• Design and implement unit tests for boot and initialization features.
• Collaborate with verification teams to support pre-silicon validation.
• Debug issues across firmware, simulation, RTL, and post-silicon environments.
• Analyze failures, identify root causes, and drive resolution with teams.
• Support silicon bring-up activities and post-silicon debug.
• Contribute to feature/documentation in system interactions.

Skills

C/C++ (embedded)

ARM/RISC-V

SoC boot flows

Pre-silicon validation

DV collaboration

HDL (Verilog/SystemVerilog)

Firmware debugging

UVM verification

Scripting (Shell/Makefile)

Emulation / silicon bring-up

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/CE

Job description

What you do at AMD changes everything

At AMD, our mission is to build great products that accelerate next-generation computing experiences—from AI and data centers, to PCs, gaming and embedded systems. Grounded in a culture of innovation and collaboration, we believe real progress comes from bold ideas, human ingenuity and a shared passion to create something extraordinary. When you join AMD, you\'ll discover the real differentiator is our culture. We push the limits of innovation to solve the world\'s most important challenges—striving for execution excellence, while being direct, humble, collaborative, and inclusive of diverse perspectives. Join us as we shape the future of AI and beyond. Together, we advance your career.

THE ROLE

Join a System IP team developing critical boot firmware that enables system-on-chip (SoC) initialization across a wide range of products. In this role, you will own low-level boot code that runs at power-on, making it one of the first and most essential components in the system lifecycle. You will work at the intersection of firmware and hardware in a pre-silicon environment, translating architecture requirements into code, supporting simulation and validation efforts, and collaborating closely with design and verification teams. This is a high-impact role with visibility across multiple business units, contributing to products spanning client, server, AI, and semi-custom platforms.

THE PERSON

You are a curious and driven engineer who enjoys understanding how systems work from the ground up. You take ownership of complex technical challenges and approach problems with a structured, analytical mindset. You thrive in collaborative environments, working closely with hardware, architecture, and verification teams, and communicate ideas clearly across disciplines. You are motivated by impact, eager to learn new technologies, and comfortable navigating both coding and system-level debugging to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain boot firmware for SoC initialization and boot flows
• Translate architecture requirements into efficient, scalable firmware solutions
• Design and implement unit-level tests for boot and initialization features
• Collaborate with verification teams to support pre-silicon validation efforts
• Debug issues across firmware, simulation, RTL, and post-silicon environments
• Analyze failures, identify root causes, and drive resolution across teams
• Support silicon bring-up activities and provide post-silicon debug assistance
• Perform coverage analysis and identify verification gaps
• Contribute to documentation of features, flows, and system interactions

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with C/C++ development for low-level or embedded systems
• Understanding of microprocessor architectures (e.g., ARM, RISC-V)
• Familiarity with SoC boot flows, resets, clocking, and initialization
• Exposure to pre-silicon environments and simulation-based development
• Experience collaborating with design verification teams and workflows
• Knowledge of hardware description languages (e.g., Verilog/SystemVerilog)
• Experience debugging across firmware and hardware layers
• Familiarity with UVM-based verification environments
• Experience with scripting (e.g., Shell, Perl, Ruby, Makefile)
• Exposure to emulation, silicon bring-up, or post-silicon debug

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor\'s or Master\'s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field preferred

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Benefits offered are described: AMD benefits at a glance.

AMD does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services. AMD and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity, inclusive employers and will consider all applicants without regard to age, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants\' needs under the respective laws throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

AMD may use Artificial Intelligence to help screen, assess or select applicants for this position. AMD\'s "Responsible AI Policy" is available here.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.