Firmware Engineer Tech Lead - San Jose, California, United States
$160,000 - $200,000 USD yearly
Originally posted 16 July 2026 by the employer.
Architect and implement embedded firmware and microcontroller subsystems for Astera Labs' Intelligent Connectivity Platform.
About the role
Architect and develop firmware and microcontroller subsystems for Astera Labs' SoC and systems products, implementing differentiating features across connectivity hardware.
What you'll do
- Architect and develop firmware running on on-chip microcontrollers as well as C-language software development kits (SDKs) executing on system management controllers such as BMCs. - Collaborate with logic designers to architect and verify hardware-software interfaces on complex SoCs. - Debug protocol issues on PCIe-Express (Gen-3 and above) using protocol analyzers and exercisers. - Automate pre-processors, post-processors, and firmware quality control (QC) using Python. - Interface with customers and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure system requirements are fully addressed.
What you'll need
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science (Master’s preferred). - Minimum 5 years of experience supporting or developing complex SoC/silicon products for server, storage, and/or networking applications. - Demonstrated experience developing firmware for on-chip microcontrollers and C-language SDKs for system management controllers. - Proven experience with PCIe-Express (Gen-3 and above) protocols, protocol analyzers, and exercisers. - High proficiency in C or C++, along with Python for automation and firmware QC. - Working knowledge of build and documentation environments including gcc/Make, Doxygen, and GitHub. - Familiarity with SoC interfaces and IP blocks including PCIe Controllers, DDR Controllers, NVMe Controllers, AMBA/AHB interfaces, and on-chip memory interfaces.
Nice to have
- Experience with PAM4 SerDes, including Tx/Rx equalization, adaptation, CDR, and SerDes link budgets. - Hands-on experience with PCIe devices in server, storage, and/or networking equipment. - Experience developing embedded firmware for PCIe or Ethernet switch products.
This role has been open 96 days — well above the 56-day median for Embedded Firmware Engineering roles.
Embedded Firmware Engineering · Systems Software
|
Open roles in category
736
|
Median days open
56 d
|
Median salary
$169k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Astera Labs | All employers we track in this specialty (736 roles · 85 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 5 | 736 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 16 | 6279 · 145 employers |
| Median days open | 16 d | 56 d (−40 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $169k |
Who's hiring in this category
- Qualcomm · 123 open roles · median 51 d
- AMD · 63 open roles · median 39 d
- Micron Technology · 63 open roles · median 89 d
- NVIDIA · 54 open roles · median 62 d
- Lattice Semiconductor · 48 open roles · median 42 d
- NXP Semiconductors · 30 open roles · median 34 d
How we counted: 736 open Embedded Firmware Engineering (Systems Software) roles from 85 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 21 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.