Principal Firmware Engineer

Lumentum Operations LLC; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Health benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Stock options

Gym access

Free coffee/tea

Subsidized meals

Job summary

Lumentum is seeking a Principal Firmware Engineer in San Jose for driving architecture and development of embedded firmware in high-reliability optical/telecom systems.

You will lead firmware direction, collaborate with hardware and systems teams, and deliver robust firmware across product lifecycles, including bring-up, verification, and production releases.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional embedded firmware experience with shipped products.
• Expert in C/C++ for embedded systems and RTOS/bare-metal development.
• Strong hardware/software integration and debugging skills.

Responsibilities

• Own firmware architecture and roadmap for embedded platforms.
• Lead end-to-end firmware development from requirements to production.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

RTOS

Bare-metal firmware

Board bring-up

Python

Linux/Windows

I2C/SPI/UART

Diagnostics & test tools

Optical components control

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Segger IDE

Git

JTAG/SWD

Python (scripting)

Job description

## Principal Firmware EngineerApplylocations: USA - CA - San Jose (Ridder)time type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: 2026865**It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!** We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!**Position Title: Principal Firmware Engineer****Employment Type:** Full-time, Existing vacancy**Location:** San-Jose (On-Site)**About Lumentum**At Lumentum, we’re building the tech behind the world’s fastest networks and most advanced systems. Our optical and photonic solutions power everything from AI and cloud computing to data centers, telecom, and advanced manufacturing.We’re a global team of innovators working where light meets technology, solving big challenges that keep the world connected and moving forward. If shaping the future of connectivity excites you, you’ll fit right in.**Why You’ll Love This Role**Lumentum is seeking a **Principal Firmware Engineer** to lead architecture, design, and development of embedded firmware for advanced optical and photonic systems. In this role, you will drive technical direction across firmware platforms, partner closely with hardware, systems, and manufacturing teams, and deliver robust, high-quality firmware that meets performance, reliability, and compliance requirements for high-volume products.**What You’ll Be Doing*** Own firmware architecture and technical roadmap for one or more embedded platforms supporting optical/laser/telecom or related high-reliability systems.* Lead end-to-end firmware development: requirements → design → implementation → verification/validation → production release → sustaining.* Develop firmware for MCU/MPU-based embedded systems (bare-metal and/or RTOS and/or embedded Linux), including board bring-up and low-level drivers.* Define interfaces and protocols across firmware, hardware, FPGA, optics, and host software (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet; higher-layer protocols as applicable).* Drive system reliability and quality: fault handling, diagnostics, telemetry, logging, upgrade mechanisms, and robust state-machine design.* Lead design reviews, code reviews, and root-cause analysis for field issues; implement corrective and preventive actions.* Collaborate cross-functionally with Systems, Hardware, Optical Engineering, Test, Reliability, Manufacturing, and Program Management to meet schedule and product goals.**What We’re Looking For****Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (MS preferred), or equivalent experience****Experience: Core Requirements:*** **10+ years** of professional embedded firmware development experience, including ownership of shipped products.* Expert proficiency in **C/C++** for embedded systems, source code control (GIT), Segger IDE, Python, data analysis tools (i.e. JMP, R), Windows & Linux.* Deep experience with **RTOS** development (e.g., FreeRTOS) and **Bare-metal** firmware (interrupts, bootloaders, HAL/LL drivers).* Strong skills in board bring-up, debugging, and lab tools (JTAG/SWD, logic analyzer, oscilloscope, optical power meter, optical wavemeter).* Solid understanding of hardware/firmware integration and digital interfaces (I2C/SPI/UART, GPIO, ADC/DAC, timers, DMA).* Proven ability to lead technical decisions, drive architecture, and deliver across multi-disciplinary teams.* Hands-on experience with **optical components/modules calibration and control/PIDs** including optical power control/APC loops, bias/current tuning, heater/thermal control, TEC/thermal control, optical signal monitoring, fault management and trend-based telemetry**Preferred Qualifications*** Direct experience developing firmware/software for **optical transceiver modules** **and subsystems** including bring-up, feature development, and production support.* Strong familiarity with **module management and host interfaces**, including **CMIS** (Common Management Interface Specification); experience implementing, debugging, and validating management behaviors (state machines, paging/banked memory, diagnostics, alarms, and telemetry).* Experience with optical components (i.e. lasers, MZ/IQ modulators, et cetera) control (i.e. PIDs), performance monitoring, and fault management.* Understanding of **manufacturing test flows** and firmware support/API for calibration, characterization, and end-of-line verification; experience building tooling or scripts (i.e., Python) to support these flows.**Leadership & Behavioral Competencies*** Strong technical judgment; able to trade off schedule, risk, and quality with clarity.* Excellent communication: can explain complex topics to non-firmware audiences.* Ownership mindset and calm execution in ambiguous, high-urgency situations.* Mentorship and influence: raises the bar for design quality and engineering culture.**Perks You’ll Love*** Flexible time off* Health and wellness benefits (physical and mental)* Tuition reimbursement and career growth support* A workplace built for you: free gym, games room, prayer room* Subsidized meals, free coffee/tea* Employee stock options and incentive plans* A collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture**Join a Team That’s Shaping the Future**At Lumentum, we’re more than just a workplace—we’re a launchpad for creativity and innovation. We’re committed to celebrating your unique talents and helping you grow. Our guiding principles—Innovate, Engage, Deliver, Excel, and Win—aren’t just words; they’re the heart of what we do.**Let’s Build a Brighter Future Together!****We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Your uniqueness makes us stronger, sparks creativity, and drives our success.*****Please contact us at*** ***[e-mail]*** ***to request accommodation.*****Join us—your future starts here!****Pay Range:**P70-USA-1 :$134,750.00 - $192,500.00