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Senior Principal Engineer
Job Location:
Job Location:
Santa Clara County, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
24 June 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
21 September 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
We are seeking a Senior Principal Firmware Engineer (coherent optical module firmware/SoC-based embedded platforms/CPO) to join our clients Optical Connectivity firmware team in Santa Clara. This pivotal individual contributor role involves end-to-end ownership of firmware development for next-generation coherent optical modules including 400ZR 400ZR and 800ZR platforms. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in embedded firmware for optical transceivers a proven track record in leading multi-generation programs and the ability to drive innovation across firmware hardware DSP and customer-facing teams. You will shape firmware architecture lead complex system bring-up and validation and ensure robust scalable solutions that meet the stringent demands of hyperscalers and global carriers. This role is critical to advancing our leadership in coherent optics and CPO-based embedded platforms.
Responsibilities:
- Lead firmware development lifecycle for coherent optical module programsfrom architecture and alpha bring-up through production release and long-term support
- Design and implement advanced firmware capabilities including hitless firmware upgrades CMIS compliance (CMIS 4.x/5.x) secure bootloader architecture calibration and control engines and hardware abstraction layers
- Own program-level milestones including system bring-up calibration validation and customer delivery across multiple product generations
- Collaborate cross-functionally with DSP hardware ATE and test engineering teams to resolve complex system-level issues and ensure seamless integration
- Engage directly with customers to address technical inquiries debug field issues and deliver firmware solutions aligned with hyperscaler and carrier requirements
- Contribute to long-term firmware platform strategy including shared infrastructure tooling automation and CI/CD-based release processes
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers serve as a technical authority and drive best practices across the firmware organization
Requirements
Requirements:
- Fifteen 15 years of experience in embedded software/firmware architecture design and implementation for high-performance optical transceivers
- Deep expertise in coherent optical module firmware (400ZR 800ZR or equivalent) and compliance with industry standards (OIF-400ZR C-CMIS CMIS 4.x/5.x)
- Proven experience with SoC-based embedded platforms (MCU/DSP architectures) and firmware development in C/C
- Strong background in bootloader design flash management and secure hitless firmware upgrade mechanisms
- Proficiency in Python for test automation scripting and tooling development
- Demonstrated success in owning and delivering complex firmware programs from early bring-up to GA and production support
- Advanced debugging skills across hardware-firmware boundaries including lab bench validation ATE integration and field issue resolution
- Experience with Jira GitLab and CI/CD pipelines for firmware development and release management
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with ability to interface effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders across global teams
Preferred:
- Prior experience at an optical module or optical semiconductor company
- Familiarity with coherent DSP platforms or equivalent
- Background in calibration and control algorithms for optical components (e.g. EDFA MZ modulators TOSA)
Required Skills:
embedded software firmware architecture design and implementation optical module firmware bootloader design SoC-based embedded platforms C/C firmwareJira GitLab
