Senior Firmware Engineer - Optical Solutions

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Molex is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer in Fremont to lead embedded software development for optical network modules, covering design, implementation, testing, documentation, and collaboration across hardware, optics, and system teams.

You will interact with customers on RFQ/RFPs, contribute to robustness and performance, and support lifecycle firmware fixes and enhancements in fast-growing telecom/data-center environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in C programming for embedded systems.
• Experience in network or telecommunications industry.
• Proficient in bare-metal development on embedded microcontrollers.
• Solid experience with FreeRTOS or equivalent real-time operating systems.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with embedded communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART).
• Hands-on debugging with JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Develop a robust and high-performance embedded software system and applications in full software development life cycle including designing, implementation and testing.
• Document and demonstrate solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments and clear code
• Actively involved in technical discussions and presentations and provide input to other members from hardware, optical, and system engineering teams
• Customer interaction including RFQ/RFP responses and pre/post sale customer support
• Engage and collaborate with third party and open source software projects and participate relevant conferences
• Identify, analyze, and resolve firmware issues across the product lifecycle
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Skills

C programming

Embedded systems

Network/telecom experience

Bare-metal development

FreeRTOS

Debugging

Documentation

JTAG/SWD debugging

I2C, SPI, UART

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD pipelines

Xilinx SDK/Vitis

Job description

Molex is an industry leader in transforming optical network infrastructure with an unwavering commitment to speed, reliability, and performance. We proudly engineer high-performance systems for critical, fast-growing industries including data centers, telecom, medical, and industrial automation. Our team develops an advanced portfolio of optical solutions, ranging from cutting-edge optical connectivity products-such as expanded beam connectors, fiber management, adapters, and hybrid copper/fiber solutions for medical systems-to end-to-end optoelectronic solutions featuring cages, connectors, optical transceivers, and cable assemblies. Supporting extreme data rates from 100 Mbps to 1.6 Tbps across long-haul distances up to 80km+, we deliver complete wavelength management and turnkey OEM solutions. Come join Molex and help build the future of global connectivity.

In Fremont, we serve global clients in telecom and datacom industries in providing next generation optical modules to support 5G Networks. We are looking for a Senior Firmware Engineer to join our team. This team will be responsible for software development for optical network modules.

This person will work with multi-discipline teams including: Sales and Marketing, Product Line Managers, PCB designers, electrical, mechanical and optical engineering teams. This will include direct interface with customers as well.

What You Will Do

• Develop a robust and high-performance embedded software system and applications in full software development life cycle including designing, implementation and testing
• Document and demonstrate solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments and clear code
• Actively involved in technical discussions and presentations and provide input to other members from hardware, optical, and system engineering teams
• Customer interaction including RFQ/RFP responses and pre/post sale customer support
• Engage and collaborate with third party and open source software projects and participate relevant conferences
• Identify, analyze, and resolve firmware issues across the product lifecycle
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer science, Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline
• At least 5 years of experience in C programming for embedded systems
• Experience in network or telecommunications industry
• Proficient in bare-metal development on embedded microcontrollers
• Solid experience with FreeRTOS or equivalent real-time operating systems
• Strong logical thinking and systematic problem-solving ability
• Disciplined documentation habits - able to produce clear design specs, test reports, and issue logs
• Expertise troubleshooting and resolving complex firmware issues independently
• Familiarity with common embedded communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART
• Hands-on debugging experience with tools such as JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers

What Will Put You Ahead

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related technical degree
• Knowledge and experience in software engineering, including computer architecture, operating system, distributed systems, data structure, algorithm and object-oriented design methodology.
• Knowledge and experience in digital hardware programming and bring-up in embedded OS and/or bare-metal mode.
• Proficient in programming in one or more of the following languages: Python and Bash script and familiar with ARM architecture
• Familiarity with Xilinx Zynq platform, including PS/PL co-design and Xilinx SDK / Vitis toolchain
• Familiarity with FPGA co-design or hardware-software co-development
• Experience in reliability design, including fault detection, error handling, watchdog mechanisms, and redundancy design
• Experience with version control (Git) and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience in software development in optical network

For this role, we anticipate paying $160,000 - $200,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aqui, or tu).