Product Applications Engineer (NCG 2026)

Product Applications Engineer (NCG 2026)San Jose, California, United StatesAstera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs' Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink semiconductor-based technologies with the company's COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company's custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.Job Description:As an Astera Labs Firmware Product Application Engineer , you will sit at the intersection of firmware engineering and customer-facing technical engagement. You will help enable Leo CXL Smart Memory Controllers at hyperscale customers and OEM partners—assisting with firmware bring-up, validation, and customer issue resolution from early silicon through production ramp.You will help to provide technical guidance to customers to overcome design challenges, generate collateral for existing and new products, and drive innovation by providing insightful feedback to other internal teams to continuously improve products and processes. There are opportunities to support key customers directly, and also to dive deep in the lab to address the challenges associated with leading edge semiconductor products.This position is required onsite in San Jose, CA.Key ResponsibilitiesAssist with customer engagements for Leo CXL Smart Memory Controllers, including bring-up support, feature enablement, and issue triage on customer platformsDevelop, validate, and debug firmware using C and Python across Leo's PCIe/CXL and DDR memory subsystemsAssist with end-to-end firmware validation of DDR4/DDR5 DRAM interfaces, including initialization, training, RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability) features, and performance tuningCollaborate with cross-functional teams (FW engineering, HW, systems, product management) to help deliver firmware releases and customer collateral on scheduleDevelop and maintain Python-based test scripts, automation frameworks, and diagnostic tools to support validation and customer debug workflowsContribute to technical documentation including application notes, release notes, design guides, and customer-facing collateralBasic QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Master's degree preferredProfessional attitude with the ability to prioritize a dynamic list of tasks and work with minimal guidanceEntrepreneurial, open-minded behavior and can‑do attitude—think and act fast with the customer in mind!Authorized to work in the US and available to start immediatelyRequired ExperienceProficiency in C for embedded firmware development in RTOS environmentsProficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and diagnostic toolingKnowledge with firmware bring‑up, debug, and validation of memory or I/O subsystems on server platformsStrong debugging skills with the ability to triage and root‑cause issues in complex embedded systemsFamiliarity with SoC interfaces including DDR controllers, PCIe controllers, and on‑chip memory subsystemsKnowledge of developer workflows: SCM (preferably Git), code reviews, CI/CD pipelinesTechnical writing skills to generate clear, precise documentation including application notes and similar guides for internal and customer-facing audiences.Preferred experienceWorking knowledge of CXL (Compute ExpressLink)—CXL 1.1/2.0/3.0—including memory expansion, pooling, and sharing conceptsExperience with PCIe endpoint firmware at the PHY, Link, and Transaction layers; familiarity with PCIe enumeration, MSI/MSI‑X, SR‑IOV, and error handlingKnowledge of high-speed memory interfaces—DDR4 and/or DDR5 DRAM—including initialization sequences, training algorithms, timing margins, and ECC/RAS featuresHands‑on experience with PCIe/CXL protocol analyzers, BERT, and other lab debug equipmentFamiliarity with BIOS/BMC/OS interactions with PCIe/CXL devices and MMIO/RAS conceptsExperience with server memory performance tuning—latency and bandwidth optimizationPrior customer-facing or field applications experience in a semiconductor or systems company is a strong plusThe base pay for this range is between $140,000 - $150,000 dependent on education level.We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.#J-18808-Ljbffr