Firmware Engineer Tech Lead

Astera Labs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Astera Labs in San Jose seeks a firmware engineer to architect and develop firmware and microcontroller subsystems for its SoCs and systems, delivering key differentiating features and ensuring strong HW-SW integration. The role requires 5+ years in firmware for complex SoCs, C/C++, boot-ROM/pre-silicon work, Python scripting, and a customer‑facing mindset; immediate start is preferred.

You will collaborate with hardware and software teams, participate in pre-silicon validation, and contribute

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in EE or CS required.
• 5+ years experience with SoC/silicon products for Server, Storage, and/or Networking.
• Experience developing firmware for on-chip microcontrollers and C-language SDKs.
• Experience working with HW-SW interfaces on complex SoCs.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Entrepreneurial, customer-focused mindset.
• Immediate availability.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop firmware and microcontroller subsystems for Astera Labs’ SoCs and systems.
• Collaborate with hardware designers to test HW-SW interfaces on complex SoCs.
• Implement differentiating firmware features that complement hardware capabilities.
• Ensure firmware interacts with system host CPUs and embedded microprocessors.
• Participate in pre-silicon validation, simulation, and emulation activities.

Skills

Firmware development

C/C++ proficiency

SoC experience

Attention to detail

Customer-facing mindset

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

GCC/Make

Git

CI/CD

Python scripting

Embedded SDKs

Job description

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe® and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.

Job Description

The mission of this role is to architect and develop firmware and microcontroller subsystems for Astera Labs’ SoC and systems products. Firmware is responsible for implementing the major differentiating features of Astera Labs’ products. As such, firmware is considered equally important to the hardware, and the firmware team is often customer-facing accordingly to ensure the customer's needs are fully comprehended.

Basic Qualifications

• Strong academic and technical background in electrical engineering. At a minimum, a Bachelor’s in EE or Computer Science is required.
• Minimum 5 years' experience supporting or developing complex SoC/silicon products for Server, Storage, and/or Networking applications.
• Experience developing firmware to execute with on-chip microcontrollers and C-language software development kits (SDKs) to execute on system host CPUs and embedded microprocessors.
• Experience working with logic designers to implement and test HW-SW interfaces on complex SoCs.
• Professional attitude with the ability to prioritize a dynamic list of multiple tasks, and to work with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Entrepreneurial, open-minded behavior and can-do attitude. Think and act fast with the customer in mind!
• Can start immediately.

Required Experience

• High level of proficiency in C (preferred) or C++, including development of C-based SDKs and firmware.
• Experience developing boot-ROM and familiarity working in pre-Silicon environments (Simulation and emulation).
• Experience with secure boot flows (authentication, attestation & standards like DICE, Caliptra) is an asset.
• Proficient in Python for scripting.
• Ability to design, implement, and write unit-level tests.
• Working knowledge of software build environments, gcc/make.
• Experience with developer workflows, SCM (preferably git), code reviews, CI.
• Familiarity with SoC interfaces to various HW blocks, on-chip memory interfaces, and other similar interfaces that are common to chip design.

Preferred Experience

• Firmware development experience using RTOS.

Base salary range is $160,000 to $240,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role is eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.