Senior Principal Engineer, Software / Firmware

Senior Principal Engineer, Software / Firmware – Coherent Optical Module Firmware / SoC-Based Embedded Platforms / CPO
Santa Clara, CA - Onsite
Full Time
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Firmware Engineer to join the Optical Connectivity Firmware Team in Santa Clara, CA. This is a senior-level individual contributor role responsible for providing technical leadership and end-to-end ownership of firmware development across coherent optical module programs.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in coherent optical module firmware, embedded systems architecture, optical networking technologies, and SoC-based embedded platforms. This role will drive firmware strategy, architecture, implementation, validation, and production release while collaborating closely with hardware, DSP, test, manufacturing, and customer engineering teams.
The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert for next-generation coherent optical modules, including 400ZR, 400ZR+, and 800ZR platforms, while contributing to Common Platform Optics (CPO) initiatives and advanced optical networking solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Firmware Architecture & Development

• Own firmware development for coherent optical module programs from architecture through production release.
• Design and implement scalable firmware architectures for next-generation coherent optical transceivers.
• Develop advanced firmware features including:
  • Hitless/In-Service Firmware Upgrades
  • CMIS Compliance
  • Bootloader Architecture
  • Flash Management
  • Calibration Engines
  • Control Frameworks
  • Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL)

Program Leadership

• Lead firmware activities across multiple product generations.
• Drive alpha bring-up, validation, qualification, customer deployment, and production support.
• Manage firmware development schedules and technical deliverables.
• Ensure successful execution of program milestones and release objectives.

Optical Module Platform Development

• Support development of:
  • 400ZR
  • 400ZR+
  • 800ZR
  • Coherent Optical Modules
  • CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) Platforms
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and interoperability requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
  • DSP Engineering Teams
  • Hardware Design Teams
  • ATE Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Validation Teams
  • Customer Engineering Organizations
• Resolve complex system-level issues involving hardware, firmware, and optical subsystems.

Customer Support & Field Engineering

• Support hyperscaler, telecom, and carrier customer engagements.
• Investigate and resolve field issues.
• Provide firmware solutions and technical guidance to customers.
• Participate in customer design reviews and technical discussions.

Firmware Infrastructure & Process Improvement

• Contribute to platform-wide firmware architecture decisions.
• Improve firmware development methodologies and release processes.
• Enhance CI/CD workflows and automation infrastructure.
• Support shared tooling, diagnostics, and firmware frameworks.

Technical Leadership

• Mentor firmware engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Serve as the firmware subject matter expert for coherent optics programs.
• Drive engineering excellence and best practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Master's Degree preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of embedded software and firmware development experience.
• Extensive experience leading firmware architecture, design, implementation, and deployment.
• Proven success delivering firmware programs from concept through production release.

Technical Expertise
Optical Networking & Coherent Optics

• Deep expertise with:
  • 400ZR
  • 400ZR+
  • 800ZR
  • Coherent Optical Modules
• Strong understanding of:
  • OIF-400ZR
  • CMIS 4.x
  • CMIS 5.x
  • C-CMIS Standards

Embedded Systems

• Experience with SoC-based embedded platforms.
• MCU and DSP-based embedded architectures.
• Real-time firmware development.

Firmware Development

• Advanced proficiency in:
  • C
  • C++
• Python scripting for:
  • Test Automation
  • Validation
  • Development Tools

Firmware Architecture

• Bootloader Design
• Firmware Upgrade Frameworks
• Hitless Upgrade Mechanisms
• Flash Memory Management
• Calibration & Control Systems
• Hardware Adaptation Layers

Debugging & Validation

• Hardware/Firmware Integration
• Lab Bring-Up
• Root Cause Analysis
• ATE Integration
• Production Support
• Field Issue Resolution

Development Tools

• Jira
• GitLab
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Firmware Release Management Tools

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with customers and engineering teams.
• Excellent technical leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with an Optical Module Manufacturer.
• Experience with Optical Semiconductor Companies.
• Familiarity with:
  • Marvell Optical DSP Platforms
  • Equivalent Coherent DSP Solutions
• Experience developing calibration and control algorithms for:
  • EDFA
  • Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZ)
  • TOSA
  • Optical Components
• Experience with Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) architectures.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.