Embedded SW Team Lead

NewPhotonics develops advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and optical engines for next-generation AI data centers. We are looking for a hands-on Embedded SW Team Lead to lead firmware and software development, QA and testing across our products - from prototypes and hardware bring-up through customer integration and production support.

You will lead a team of 5 engineers, growing it according to company needs, while dedicating approximately 60% of your time to hands-on development, debugging and integration. The scope includes embedded firmware, control software, APIs, PC tools and Microsoft Azure-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and grow the Software and Firmware team, own architecture, priorities, resource planning, delivery schedules and release quality.
• Develop and debug C/C++ firmware for MCU-based control of photonic and electronic systems.
• Lead development of Python and C#/.NET APIs, backend services, frontend applications, GUIs and automation tools, including Azure-based products.
• Drive hardware bring-up and system integration, working closely with Hardware, System, Validation and Photonics teams.
• Own firmware/software QA, test strategy, automated and hardware-based testing, defect resolution and release readiness.
• Deliver reliable control, calibration, monitoring and diagnostic software for development, customer integration and manufacturing.
• Maintain code quality, documentation and release practices, support customers and partners through technical issue resolution.

Requirements

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• 15+ years of embedded software/firmware development experience, including 10+ years leading software/firmware teams.
• Strong current hands-on development skills in C/C++, Python and C#/.NET.
• Deep experience with ARM Cortex-M firmware in bare-metal and non-Linux RTOS environments.
• Strong knowledge of drivers, HAL, BSP, bootloaders and interfaces including I2C, SPI, UART, ADCs and DACs.
• Experience developing Python control/test tools and C#/.NET backend services and frontend user interfaces.
• Hands-on experience developing, deploying and maintaining Cloud-based products.
• Strong hardware bring-up and debugging skills, including schematic reading and troubleshooting across hardware, firmware and host software.
• Experience leading firmware/software QA and developing automated unit, integration, system and regression tests on target hardware.
• Proven delivery from prototype through release, using Git, code reviews, structured testing and clear technical documentation.
• Strong ownership, prioritization and communication skills across engineering and production teams and international customers.
• Full-time work from our Petach-Tikva office, no remote or work-from-home arrangements.

Advantages

• Experience leading multidisciplinary R&D projects spanning software, firmware, hardware, and system integration.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary, multicultural and distributed engineering teams.
• Experience with Infineon microcontrollers (ex-Cypress families) and STM32 microcontrollers, along with their development environments and debugging tools.
• Familiarity with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX or similar RTOS environments.
• Experience with laboratory automation, manufacturing tests, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or CI/CD.
• Experience with photonics, electro-optical systems, optical transceivers or optical communications.
• Familiarity with optical calibration, laser/temperature control, alignment, and DSP API integration.
• Hands-on experience developing, deploying and maintaining Microsoft Azure-based products.