Samtec Inc · 11 hours ago
Senior Firmware Engineer
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$200K/yr - $270K/yr
5+ years expSamtec Inc. is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to work with their optical transceiver product line in Santa Clara, CA. The role involves leading the architecture, development, integration, and verification of embedded firmware for high-speed optical transceivers, ensuring compliance and interoperability with various systems.
ElectronicsHardwareManufacturingSoftware
Responsibilities
Architect and implement embedded firmware for optical transceiver control systems (e.g., MCU-based designs and active control loops in a mostly bare metal environment)
Lead development of low-level drivers for I²C/MDIO, ADC/DAC, GPIO, PMIC, SPI, UART, and thermal/laser control systems
Implement SFF/CMIS-compliant state machines and memory maps for optical transceiver modules
Develop algorithms for module startup sequencing, fault management, chipset interaction, and closed-loop optical power/temperature control
Ensure safe and deterministic firmware behavior across all module states (Init, Low-Power, High-Power, Diagnostic, FW Update, etc.)
Collaborate with hardware, software, optics, electrical, mechanical and process teams to Design for Manufacture and Test (DFM & DFT) and validate end-to-end module behavior
Own debugging of complex system-level issues (e.g., thermal runaway protection, laser bias tuning, signal integrity interactions, PMD/Chipset state issues)
Support initial bring-up of integrated modules and throughout product life cycle
Lead root-cause analysis for firmware-related field returns or customer issues
Assist with new and existing hardware characterization
Tool development using C# and Python used for engineering, manufacturing and sales
Maintain revision control, documentation, and processes for firmware release flow
Participate in design reviews, customer calls, failure analysis reviews, and interoperability testing
Qualification
Required
5+ years of embedded firmware experience, preferably in optical transceivers or high-speed communications products
Strong proficiency in C, with skills or knowledge in C# and embedded systems running RTOS
Ability to design maintainable state machines, drivers, and HW-FW abstractions
Skilled in debugging using logic analyzers, I²C/MDIO sniffers, oscilloscopes, JTAG
Familiarity with automated testing, scripting (Python), and lab bench workflows
Deep understanding of: Optical transceiver architectures and product design schematics, CMIS, SFF-8636, MDIO, I²C, low-level hardware interfaces, Laser control (VCSEL/DFB/EML), TEC/thermal control, power sequencing, Signal integrity basics and high-speed link behavior
Strong problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and system-level thinking
Ability to collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and interface with customers when needed
Excellent documentation habits and ownership mindset
Ability to work in fast-paced NPI environments with tight schedules
BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Preferred
Experience in ASIC, SoC, FPGA, Switch IC, DSP control and integration is a plus
Benefits
Medical (HSA/PPO)
Dental
Vision
Group life
AD&D
Short and long term disability
EAP
401K plus other voluntary options
Paid time off
Company
Samtec Inc
Founded in 1976, Samtec is much more than just another connector company.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Samtec Inc has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (2)
2023 (1)
2021 (1)
2020 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.65M2009-10-23Series Unknown· $0.65M
Leadership Team
M
Marc Epitaux
Chief Architect
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