Senior Staff Engineer - Platform

Upscale; Kentucky; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Upscale, Inc. is hiring a Senior Staff Platform Engineer to own end-to-end platform software development, spanning BSPs, drivers, and user-space services for SONiC, FBOSS, and OpenBMC on x86/ARM. You will work across hardware and software to deliver production-grade infrastructure at scale.

The role requires deep embedded systems expertise, fluency across firmware, device drivers, telemetry, and validation tooling, with on-site work in Santa Clara, CA. 10+ years in related fields are expected.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and hands-on troubleshooting for complex HW/SW systems.
• Proven testing and validation of hardware and software for performance and reliability.
• Proficient in C/C++ for embedded and systems-level development; Python and Bash for automation.
• EE background: circuit design and system integration.
• Clear written and verbal communication across disciplines.
• Strong understanding of hardware interfaces and protocols: I2C, SPI, PCIe, UART, GPIO, MDIO, JTAG. Diagnostic workflows.
• Bachelor’s or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years in platform, diagnostic embedded firmware development.

Responsibilities

• Platform software Design and Development: Architect and develop Linux BSP, platform drivers, and user-space services for SONiC (x86), FBOSS (x86), and OpenBMC (ARM) platforms.
• Design embedded diagnostic firmware in C/C++ for hardware bring-up, manufacturing validation, and health monitoring.
• Develop ASIC-level tests and platform-level diagnostic suites; integrate diagnostics into manufacturing and field processes.
• Collaboration with hardware, firmware/software, validation, and program teams on priorities and diagnostic coverage.

Skills

HW/SW analysis

Troubleshooting

C/C++

Python

Embedded firmware

System integration

Interfacing protocols

Communication

Experience 10+ years

Education

Bachelor's or higher in EE/CE

Job description

Why join Upscale, Inc.
Upscale, Inc., is building the high-performance infrastructure powering the next generation of artificial intelligence. Backed by over $500M in funding and rapid global adoption, we are scaling systems designed for the world’s most demanding AI workloads.

Why join Upscale, Inc.
Upscale, Inc., is building the high-performance infrastructure powering the next generation of artificial intelligence. Backed by over $500M in funding and rapid global adoption, we are scaling systems designed for the world’s most demanding AI workloads.
We focus on first-principles engineering across silicon, systems, and networking—where performance, scale, and execution are critical. Our team is talent-dense and high-performing. We value ownership, technical rigor, and speed, and we offer the opportunity to work on foundational problems with immediate, real-world impact.
If you’re looking to do high-impact work, move fast, and help define the infrastructure behind the future of AI—Upscale is where you can produce meaningful work at the frontier—and operate at a high standard.
Position Overview
This is a full-time, on-site role for a Senior Staff Platform Engineer located in Santa Clara, CA. The engineer will own end-to-end platform software development—spanning Board Support Packages (BSP), network operating systems (SONiC, FBOSS), baseboard management controller firmware (OpenBMC), and hardware diagnostic software for both platform-level and ASIC-level validation. The ideal candidate combines deep embedded systems expertise with systems‑level thinking, bridging hardware and software to deliver production‑grade infrastructure at scale.
This role spans both x86 and ARM architectures and demands fluency across the full stack—from low-level firmware and device drivers to user‑space services, telemetry frameworks, and diagnostic tooling.
Responsibility
Platform software Design and Development: Architect and develop Linux BSP, platform drivers, and user‑space services for SONiC (x86), FBOSS (x86), and OpenBMC (ARM) platforms—covering kernel/device‑tree configuration, bootloader integration, DMTF‑based manageability (MCTP, PLDM, Redfish), and peripheral drivers (I2C, SPI, PCIe, GPIO). Design embedded diagnostic firmware in C/C++ for hardware bring‑up, manufacturing validation, and health monitoring. Develop ASIC‑level tests (memory, SerDes, datapath) and platform‑level diagnostic suites (PCIe, power rail, thermal, transceiver), integrating diagnostics into manufacturing flåws and field RMA processes. Contribute to relevant open‑source communities.
System Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting: Use structured debug methodologies and hardware tools (JTAG, logic analyzers) to isolate hardware vs. software failures and drive root‑cause resolution. Profile and optimize platform software for boot time, latency, and resource utilization.
Hardware and Software Testing and Validation: Plan and execute HW/SW validation campaigns with defined pass/fail criteria. Build automated test infrastructure in Python and Bash for orchestration, log parsing, and CI/CD integration. Instrument code for coverage and maintain quality metrics.
Diagnostic Tools and Methodologies Development: Build scripts and utilities (Python, Bash) for faster debug, capture, and repeatable runs; standardize trace/result workflows; and hook into validation pipelines and internal tooling as programs scale.
Collaboration with Cross‑Functional Teams: Partner with hardware, firmware/software, validation, and program teams on priorities, joint debug, and evolving diagnostic coverage for production‑quality outcomes.
Ownership of Code Quality, Performance, and Reliability: Deliver maintainable code with solid tests, reviews, and engineering practice so platform,diagnostic firmware and related software meet performance and production standards.
Qualifications

• Strong analysis and hands‑on troubleshooting on complex HW/SW systems
• Proven testing and validation of hardware and software for performance and reliability
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded and systems‑level development; Python and Bash for automation, scripting, and tooling
• EE background: circuit design and system integration
• Clear written and verbal communication across disciplines
• Strong understanding of hardware interfaces and protocols: I2C, SPI, PCIe, UART, GPIO, MDIO, JTAG. Diagnostic tools and methodologies (plus)
• Bachelor’s or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years in platform, diagnostic embedded firmware development
  

Where you fall within that range depends on your experience, skills, and impact—we benchmark against internal levels to keep things fair and consistent.
Equal OpportunityUpscale, Inc., is building a team that reflects a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.
Accessibility & AccommodationsWe’re committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you need accommodations at any stage, just reach out to us at [e-mail]—we’re happy to help. Note: This inbox is only for accommodation requests.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.