Senior Technical Staff Engineer - Software

Microchip Technology Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits (day 1)

RSUs

Quarterly bonuses

Retirement plan

ESPP 2-year look-back

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. is seeking an Senior Technical Staff Embedded Systems Software Engineer in San Jose, CA to build platform software for timing and synchronization products.

You will own blocks from boot to kernel drivers and collaborate across hardware/QA/operations teams. The role requires deep knowledge of embedded Linux, U-Boot, and Ethernet driver development, with hands-on ARM-based board bring-up and Yocto experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 15 years of embedded platform software development experience.
• Strong background in embedded Linux, kernel internals, and driver development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable software solutions for embedded devices and systems using embedded Linux operating system.
• Develop, customize, and maintain Pre-loader, U-Boot bootloader, and Linux kernel modules to support new hardware platforms and features.
• Design and deliver high-quality Linux kernel drivers for diverse peripherals, ensuring robust hardware-software integration.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware engineering, software QA, operations, and global development teams to align on technical strategy, troubleshoot complex issues, and drive project delivery.
• Perform board bring-up activities for newly designed hardware.
• Troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve technical problems as they arise.
• Create and maintain custom Ethernet drivers tailored to specific requirements.
• Prepare design documentation and functional specifications for new software modules.

Skills

Embedded systems

C programming

Linux kernel internals

GDB debugging

Shell scripting

Yocto framework

ARM development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Electronics

Tools

U-Boot bootloader

Linux kernel drivers

Ethernet drivers

Lauterbach

PCI Express

Networking protocols

QorIQ Layerscape

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc. People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip’s nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it’s won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence. Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you. Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description:

Microchip’s Frequency and Timing Systems Business Unit is the world’s leading source of precise timing and synchronization solutions. We are looking for a Senior Technical Staff Embedded Systems Software Engineer to join our Development team in San Jose, CA. The successful candidate will be responsible for working on platform and technology building blocks for our network timing and synchronization range of products. We are seeking an experienced professional with a strong background in embedded systems and the ability to solve complex technical problems.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable software solutions for embedded devices and systems using embedded Linux operating system.
• Develop, customize, and maintain Pre-loader, U-Boot bootloader, and Linux kernel modules to support new hardware platforms and features.
• Design and deliver high-quality Linux kernel drivers for diverse peripherals, ensuring robust hardware-software integration.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware engineering, software QA, operations, and global development teams to align on technical strategy, troubleshoot complex issues, and drive project delivery.
• Perform board bring-up activities for newly designed hardware.
• Troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve technical problems as they arise.
• Create and maintain custom Ethernet drivers tailored to specific requirements.
• Prepare design documentation and functional specifications for new software modules.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, or a related field, with a minimum of 15 years of experience developing embedded platform software.
• Hands‑on experience with Linux kernel internals and peripheral driver development (Ethernet, Flash, SPI, I²C, UART).
• Expertise in U‑Boot bootloader customization and Linux kernel porting across embedded platforms.
• Experience with board bring up on ARM based systems.
• Experience in IP protocols and networking software development.
• Skilled in Linux Ethernet device driver development.
• Knowledge of networking technologies including Firewall, Routing, IPv4/IPv6, and VLANs.
• Strong understanding of embedded software design on Linux‑based systems.
• Deep knowledge of OS coding techniques such as processes, threads, interrupts, etc.
• Proficient in C programming and shell scripts.
• Strong debugging skills using tools such as GDB, and Lauterbach.
• Experience in Yocto framework.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiar with QorIQ Layerscape family of processors.
• Familiar with PCI Express controllers and bus specifications.

U.S. Export Controls Requirements:

This job requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by the export laws of the United States. Candidates are required to provide proof of either US citizenship, Permanent US residency or classification as a protected individual as defined in 8 USC 1324b (a) (3).

Travel Time:

0% - 25%

Physical Attributes:

Feeling, Hearing, Other, Seeing, Talking, Works Alone, Works Around Others

Physical Requirements:

10% walking, 10% standing, 80% sitting; 100% in doors; Usual business hours

Pay Range:

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading ESPP program with a 2 year look back feature.

Benefits of working at Microchip

Find more information about all our benefits at the link below:

The annual base salary range for this position, which could be performed in the US, is $91,000 - $232,000.* *Range is dependent on numerous factors including job location, skills and experience.

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.

To all recruitment agencies: Microchip Technology Inc. does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our recruiting team or other Microchip employees. Microchip is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.