Sr. Software Engineer (Firmware)

Adtran Networks North America Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Adtran is seeking a Senior Software/Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and test embedded software for ROADMs. You will collaborate with optical, hardware, and test engineers to deliver production-grade firmware for next-generation optical networking systems.

The role requires a Bachelor's in EE/CE/CS, 10+ years in embedded software or firmware, and strong C/C++ with RTOS. You will own the full lifecycle, develop device drivers, and work in an Agile environment from requirements through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of embedded software or firmware development experience.
• Strong proficiency in modern C/C++, including best practices and coding standards.
• Experience with RTOS, low-level debugging, and hardware/software integration.
• Solid understanding of embedded communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART) and developing device drivers.
• Familiarity with ARM or other microcontroller architectures.
• Proficient with Git and collaborative development workflows (branching, reviews, CI).
• Experience reading schematics, using oscilloscopes, and debugging embedded systems.
• Experience participating in code reviews, testing, and documentation to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded software for ROADMs.
• Own the complete software development lifecycle from requirements to deployment.
• Develop and maintain device drivers for fiber-optic components and other hardware subsystems.
• Collaborate with hardware teams on schematic reviews and board bring-up.
• Work cross-functionally with optical, hardware, and test engineers in an Agile environment.
• Develop and maintain unit tests, automation scripts, and test frameworks.

Skills

Senior embedded engineer

C/C++ proficiency

RTOS

Linux

Device drivers

Git

Cross-functional collaboration

Debugging

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EE/CE/CS

Tools

Git

CMake

Python

CI/CD

Shell scripting

Job description

Welcome! Our Growth is Creating Great Opportunities! Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it! Thank you for your interest in working on our team! Welcome! Our continued growth is creating exciting opportunities — and we’re looking for talented engineers to join our team. We appreciate your interest in joining our team!

About the Role

The Senior Software/Firmware Engineer will design, develop, and test embedded software for Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs). You will collaborate closely with optical, hardware, and test engineers to deliver high-quality, production-grade firmware for next-generation optical networking systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and integrate modern C/C++ embedded software running on Linux and real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS.
• Own the complete software development lifecycle — from requirements and architecture through implementation, testing, debugging, and deployment.
• Develop and maintain device drivers for fiber-optic components (e.g., WSS, OCM) and other hardware subsystems.
• Collaborate with hardware teams on schematic reviews, hardware design input, and board bring-up.
• Partner cross-functionally with optical, hardware, and test engineers in an Agile environment to meet product milestones and quality goals.
• Develop and maintain unit tests, automation scripts, and test frameworks to verify and validate firmware functionality.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded software or firmware development, preferably in telecommunications or networking.
• Strong proficiency in modern C/C++, including adherence to C++ best practices and coding standards.
• Experience with RTOS, low-level debugging, and hardware/software integration.
• Solid understanding of embedded communication protocols (SPI, I²C, UART) and hands‑on experience developing and debugging device drivers.
• Familiarity with ARM or other microcontroller architectures.
• Proficient with Git and collaborative development workflows (branching, reviews, CI).
• Skilled in reading schematics, using oscilloscopes, and troubleshooting embedded systems.
• Experience participating in code reviews, testing, and documentation to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams, including QA, product management, and manufacturing.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with modern C++ and emerging embedded technologies.

Nice to Have

• Experience developing device drivers for ASICs or FPGAs.
• Hands‑on experience with CMake and scripting languages (Bash, Python, Ruby, or Perl).
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines for embedded platforms.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Understanding of optical networking technologies such as OTN, Gigabit Ethernet, and related transport systems.
• Proficiency in using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and diagnostic tools for system validation and debugging.

Requirements & Work Environment

Full-time, permanent position (40 hours per week). Hybrid role — in-office Tuesday through Thursday; remote Monday and Friday. Primary location: Norcross, GA, USA. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Energetic, collaborative, and eager to work with a diverse team. Positive attitude, adaptability, and a genuine desire to learn, innovate, and excel.

Why Join Us

Join a team that’s shaping the future of optical networking. We offer a collaborative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work with cutting‑edge technologies that power global communications. Adtran is a leading global provider of fiber‑based networking solutions and SaaS applications, focused on the broadband access market. Our comprehensive portfolio spans from the metro core to the customer premises, enabling network providers to deliver Gigabit broadband to every home and business. Our vision is to enable a fully connected world where the power to communicate is available to everyone, everywhere. At Adtran, we believe in our people. With a diverse and inclusive team spread across the globe, our culture embraces creativity and seeks innovation and quality in everything we do. Built on a foundation of communication, trust, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit enables us to be a global technology leader and a strong customer advocate. Adtran began operations in January 1986. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Adtran is located in Cummings Research Park— the second-largest research park in the U.S. and fourth-largest in the world. Our mailing address is 901 Explorer Boulevard, Huntsville, Alabama, 35806. Adtran, Inc. is a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Adtran Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADTN and FSE: QH9). Find out more at adtran.com, or follow our story on LinkedIn and Twitter.