Principal Firmware Engineer II

At Alcon we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly champion progress and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here youll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse talented people to join Alcon. As a Principal Firmware Engineer II supporting Research & Development of Alcons Surgical Instrumentation in Goleta CA you will be trusted to assist in the design of next-gen surgical cameras used in eye surgery.

In this role a typical day will include:

• Designing Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) logic using VHDL or Verilog write testbenches for functional simulation.
• Writing timing constraints to close timing on FPGA designs.
• Developing image processing pipeline on FPGA to interface with DDR memories.
• Interfacing FPGA to external hardware peripherals including high resolution image sensors temperature sensor flash memories etc.
• Programming embedded processors using C language.
• Testing embedded system through UART/RS-232 J-tag debugger LEDs oscilloscope logic analyzer etc.
• Developing firmware following Agile Design Methodology. Using version control to commit and push firmware code. Performing code review through pull request.
• Writing detailed design documentations.
• Maintaining automated FPGA build and test platform by scripting.
• Creating host computer test tool or scripts using C/C or python to test embedded systems.
• Working with Electrical Engineering team to review FPGA board schematic and layout.
• Working with software developer for software/hardware interfacing.
• Providing guidance to mentor junior FPGA engineers.
• Interacting with other department within Alcon and external vendors suppliers.
• Communicating to vendor field application engineers (FAE) efficiently to receive technical support.

WHAT YOULL BRING TO ALCON:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school 13 yrs; Assoc.9 yrs; M.S.2 yrs; PhD0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read write understand and communicate in English
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in FPGA design including DDR memory interfacing finitestatemachinebased architectures and applying bestpractice timing optimizationsuch as developing constraint files to ensure timing closure.
• Proficient with major FPGA development environments such as Xilinx ISE/Vivado Intel Quartus and/or Microchip LiberoSoC; experienced with FPGA functional simulation tools including ModelSim or Questa.
• Proficient with following programming languages: VHDL Verilog System Verilog; C/C; Python
• Knowledge of basic interfaces like I2C SPI UART/RS-232.
• Experience using version controls to maintain code.
• Experience with HyperTerminal TeraTerm or equivalent.
• Ability to read and understand schematics and PCB layout.
• Handson experience using standard electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes multimeters signal generators analyzers etc.) with strong ability to troubleshoot issues at the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) level.

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:

• Join Alcons mission to provide top-tier innovative products and solutions to enhance sight & enhance lives.
• Grow your career in a highly collaborative and diverse environment.
• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health life retirement paid time off and much more!
• Relocation Assistance is available for this position.
• Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

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Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment hiring training promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race color religion gender national origin age sexual orientation gender identity marital or veteran status disability or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or in order to perform the essential functions of a position please send an email to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.