Senior Principal Engineer, Software/Firmware

Job Title: Senior Principal Engineer, Software/Firmware

Location: Onsite, Santa Clara, CA, US

Industry: Engineering / Architecture

Salary: USD $200,000 – $260,000 / year

Sponsorship: None available at this time

About the Opportunity

A leading technology engineering company is seeking the expertise of a Senior Principal Firmware Engineer ( Software/Firmware Coherent Optical Module Firmware / SoC-Based Embedded Platforms / CPO) to join their Optical Connectivity firmware team in Santa Clara. This is a highly technical individual contributor role with broad program ownership across one or more coherent optical module programs. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded firmware for optical transceivers, a track record of leading complex multi-generation programs, and the ability to work effectively across firmware, hardware, DSP, and customer-facing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Firmware Development: Lead the firmware development for coherent optical module programs (e.g., 400ZR/ZR+, 800ZR), managing the process from initial architecture through production release.
• Lead Program Efforts: Drive program-level firmware efforts, including bring-up, calibration, validation, and critical customer delivery milestones.
• Design Advanced Features: Architect and implement advanced firmware features such as hitless firmware upgrades, CMIS compliance, bootloader architecture, calibration and control engines, and hardware adaptation layers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with DSP, hardware, ATE, and test engineering teams to isolate and resolve complex, system-level issues.
• Support Customer Engagements: Respond directly to technical inquiries, debug complex field issues, and deliver robust firmware solutions that meet hyperscaler and carrier requirements.
• Shape Architecture: Contribute to firmware architecture decisions across the broader optics firmware platform, including shared infrastructure, tooling, and release processes.
• Mentor & Guide: Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert, mentoring and guiding other engineers on the team.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 15+ years of experience in embedded software/firmware architecture, design, and implementation.
• Optical Expertise: Deep expertise in coherent optical module firmware (400ZR, 800ZR, or equivalent) and associated industry standards (OIF-400ZR, C-CMIS, CMIS 4.x/5.x).
• Infrastructure Design: Strong background in bootloader design, firmware upgrade mechanisms (including hitless/in-service upgrades), and flash management.
• Platform Knowledge: Comprehensive experience with SoC-based embedded platforms (MCU/DSP-based architectures).
• Technical Stack: Proficiency in C/C++ firmware development and Python-based test/automation scripting.
• Program Delivery: Demonstrated ability to own and deliver complex programs end-to-end — from alpha bring-up through GA release and production support.
• Debugging & Lab Skills: Strong debugging skills across hardware/firmware boundaries; hands-on experience with lab bench bring-up, ATE integration, and field issue resolution.
• Tools & Workflows: Solid experience utilizing Jira, GitLab, and CI/CD-based firmware release flows.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with customers, hardware engineers, and DSP teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working directly at an optical module company or an optical semiconductor company.
• Familiarity with leading optical or coherent DSP platforms (or industry equivalents).
• A strong background in calibration and control algorithms for optical components (such as EDFA, MZ, TOSA, etc.).