Staff Software Engineer

Ambarella; Headquarters (ID); On-site; USD 166,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambarella is seeking a Software Engineer to develop and optimize low-level software and microcode for AI workloads on Ambarella AI SoCs. This hands-on role sits at the hardware–software boundary and focuses on deployment, performance optimization, and system-level debugging across the silicon lifecycle.

You will collaborate with architecture, hardware, compiler, and application teams, and help customers integrate models onto Ambarella platforms.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in CS/CE/EE or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of systems/embedded software experience.
• Strong C and Python, low-level programming skills.
• Solid understanding of computer architecture and microprocessors.
• Experience with modern software development processes.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop microcode, runtime, and system software for AI workloads on Ambarella SoCs.
• Create tools and infrastructure to deploy, profile, debug, and analyze performance.
• Collaborate with architecture, hardware, compiler, and application teams; assist customers with model deployment.

Skills

C programming

Python

Low-level programming

Computer architecture

Microprocessors

SDLC

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Heterogeneous SoCs

RTOS internals

DL basics

Education

Master’s degree in CS/CE/EE

Job description

AI Vision Processors For Edge Applications Our solutions make cameras smarter by extracting valuable data from high-resolution video streams.

Job Description We are seeking a Software Engineer to develop and optimize low-level software and microcode for AI workloads on Ambarella AI SoCs. This role focuses on AI workload deployment, performance optimization, heterogeneous compute orchestration, and system-level debugging across the silicon lifecycle. This is a hands-on engineering role at the hardware–software boundary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Low-Level & Runtime Development Develop deep expertise in Ambarella AI SoC and accelerator architecture. Design, implement, and debug microcode, runtime, and system-level software to deploy AI workloads. Efficiently utilize heterogeneous compute cores and multi-level memory hierarchies to maximize performance.
• Tooling & Infrastructure Develop tools and infrastructure to streamline workload deployment, profiling, debugging, and performance analysis. Enhance SDKs and workflows to simplify model and algorithm deployment to Ambarella AI platforms.
• Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration Partner with architecture, hardware, compiler, and application teams to deliver production-ready solutions. Support customers in optimizing and integrating their models onto Ambarella SoCs.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Required Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent. 5 to 10 years of experience in systems software, embedded software, firmware engineering. Strong C, Python and low-level programming experience. Deep understanding of Computer architecture and Microprocessor fundamentals. Experience with modern software development processes. Strong analytical skills, with a passion for solving complex challenges. Strong communication, interpersonal and planning skills.
• Preferred Experience with heterogenous compute core SoCs and accelerators. Knowledge of Runtimes, Operating Systems and/or RTOS internals. Experience debugging system-level issues across components and layers.
• Nice to have Knowledge of Deep Learning, Computer Vision fundamentals. Knowledge of AI workloads (CNNs, LLMs/VLMs), particularly how they map efficiently to hardware.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You enjoy working close to the hardware. You are driven by performance optimization challenges. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity in fast-moving, product-driven environments.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 166,000 USD - 188,000 USD for Level 3, and 188,000 USD - 212,000 USD for Level 4.

Combining technical expertise and a commitment to quality, Ambarella has established itself as the industry standard for excellence in video performance by offering pristine imagery, efficient compression, and low-power operation. For our next phase of growth, we are looking for talented team members to help us deliver our advanced computer vision algorithms to tomorrow’s intelligent video products.

Our target applications include autonomous vehicles, intelligent video surveillance, self-flying drones, smart wearable cameras, 360-degree immersive video, and more.