Principal Firmware Engineer

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We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer to architect drive and optimize the firmware lifecycle for our next-generation networking this senior role you will tackle our most complex technical challenges across Wi-Fi routers gateways and access points. From writing robust C/C code to leading deep packet analysis and system triage you will set the technical standard for the team. If you are a seasoned expert in embedded Linux environments and wireless networking protocols we want you to help shape our core technology.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Firmware Architecture & Development: Architect develop and optimize high-performance firmware applications using C and modern C (C11/14) in embedded Linux environments.
• Advanced Network & Packet Analysis: Lead deep packet inspection and network traffic analysis using Wireshark tcpdump and wireless sniffers to resolve the most difficult connectivity dropouts protocol anomalies and latency issues.
• System Triage & Complex Debugging: Drive the diagnosis of critical system issues via shell terminals (SSH serial). Extract and analyze log bundles investigate complex kernel/application-layer crashes and isolate root causes that evade standard debugging.
• Wireless & Gateway Validation: Oversee the rigorous validation of end-to-end Wi-Fi performance across all bands (2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz). Ensure bulletproof stability for band/AP steering mesh networking and core router features (DHCP NAT Firewall QoS and Parental Controls).
• Defect Resolution & Reporting: Set the standard for engineering documentation. Produce highly detailed bug reports with reproducible steps system state observations log files and packet captures (.pcap) to accelerate cross-functional resolution.
• Test Automation & Tooling: Design and maintain robust Python and shell scripting frameworks to automate complex test cases streamline log collection and execute large-scale soak testing routines.

Youll need to have:

• Bachelors degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Six or more years of relevant experience required demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience or specialized training.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Experience: Hands-on firmware or software development experience in networking and embedded systems with deep specialized expertise in Wi-Fi routers gateways or access points.
• Programming: Master-level expertise writing production-quality code in C and C (C11/14).
• Linux Proficiency: Deep command of Linux/Unix terminal environments including advanced core commands standard debugging tools shell scripting and system/memory process monitoring.
• Network Traffic Analysis: Extensive authoritative experience capturing and analyzing core network protocols (TCP/IP UDP DNS DHCP ARP ICMP) using industry-standard tools.
• Wi-Fi Domain Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of IEEE 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) wireless security protocols (WPA2/WPA3) WPS and the physical/MAC layer mechanisms behind common RF performance bottlenecks.
• Experience architecting configuring and deploying applications using Docker and containerized embedded development environments.
• Strong working knowledge of open-source router operating systems (OpenWrt prplOS RDK-B) or proprietary vendor-specific router SDKs (e.g. Qualcomm Broadcom MediaTek).
• Hands-on experience designing hardware test environments including RF sniffers chambers and network traffic generators (e.g. Spirent Ixia or iPerf).

In this hybrid role youll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.

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Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical dental vision short and long term disability basic life insurance supplemental life insurance AD&D insurance identity theft protection pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year paid parental leave adoption assistance and tuition assistance plus other incentives weve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime shift differential holiday pay allowances etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year which grows with additional service. For part-timers your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.