Astera Labs
Technology
SeniorEmbeddedSoftwareEngineer-EthernetRetimers
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Ethernet Retimers at Astera Labs. Skills: Embedded firmware, Ethernet debug, System integration. Debug firmware behavior across Ethernet configurations. Debug firmware behavior across link states”
Industry & Context.
Debug firmware; Identify problems; Fix problems; Triage failures; Diagnose issues; Resolve issues; Root cause analysis
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, 5+ years of experience in firmware development or embedded systems engineering, Hands-on experience with Ethernet at the system or device level, Solid embedded C/C++ skills, Comfort working in a firmware codebase on real hardware, Ability to debug across the hardware/software boundary, Familiarity with Linux development tools
Nice to Have
Experience with switch or NIC management software, Experience with SAI, Experience with OpenBMC, Knowledge of PMA, Knowledge of FEC, Knowledge of PHY-layer subsystems beyond the SERDES, Background with retimer or gearbox firmware, Background with retimer or gearbox SDK/API development, Python scripting for debug, test automation, or data analysis, Experience with lab equipment, Understanding of signal integrity, Prior experience mentoring engineers, Prior experience leading debug efforts across teams
What You'll Do.
Debug firmware behavior across Ethernet configurations
Debug firmware behavior across link states
Debug firmware behavior across failure modes
Investigate firmware issues in embedded C
Fix firmware issues in embedded C
Leverage understanding of Layer 1 PHY
Leverage understanding of SERDES
Leverage understanding of FEC/PCS
Leverage understanding of MAC
Leverage understanding of retimer components
Serve as connective tissue between teams
Drive issues to resolution
Support customer bring-up activities
Support customer integration activities
Coordinate fixes with internal teams
Partner with field applications engineers
Diagnose deployment issues
Resolve deployment issues
Contribute to firmware feature development
Develop SERDES configuration features
Develop link training features
Develop equalization features
Develop diagnostics features
Partner with SoC teams
Partner with field applications teams
Partner with platform teams
Bring new products from silicon bringup
Bring new products through customer deployment
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
System validation team; Firmware development organization; Firmware team; SoC teams; Field applications teams; Platform teams; Cross-functional teams
Full Job Description
Astera 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. Role Overview Astera Labs' Taurus product line includes Ethernet retimers and gearboxes deployed in active electrical cables and in-system applications at the heart of AI infrastructure. As AI clusters scale to tens of thousands of GPUs connected by high-speed Ethernet fabrics, the firmware running on these connectivity devices is mission-critical — and so is the ability to debug it fast when something breaks. We're looking for a Firmware Engineer who can bridge our system validation team and firmware development organization. When something goes wrong in the lab or in the field, you won't be waiting on others to dig into the firmware. You'll be the person in the room who understands both sides — can pull up the code, identify the problem, and fix it. If you've worked at a networking company, know how Ethernet actually works from the MAC down through the PHY, have debugged real link failures, and have written or modified firmware or low-level drivers, this role was designed for you. Your primary focus will be debug and system integration. You will be an integral part of the firmware team and work on new feature development, but you will be the point person in the lab helping to unblock other teams — tr
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