Lead Firmware Engineer

Lead Embedded Firmware Engineer
Location: Bay Area, CA (Hybrid)
Salary: $200K–$230K + Bonus + Stock Options + Full Benefits
Build the Brains Behind Next-Gen Optical Hardware!

We’re looking for a technically strong and hands-on Lead Firmware Engineer to architect, develop, and drive embedded software for cutting-edge optical transceiver modules and high-performance photonic systems. You’ll take ownership of low-level system design and lead a small team developing the firmware that powers next-generation optical communication platforms.
This is a high-impact role ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, loves debugging at the hardware-software boundary, and is excited to work on products that define the future of optical interconnects.

What You’ll Do

• Architect and implement embedded firmware for optical modules and custom photonic systems.
• Lead and mentor a small team of engineers while remaining deeply hands-on.
• Collaborate with hardware, ASIC, and optical teams to bring up and validate new platforms.
• Develop low-level drivers, hardware abstraction layers, and RTOS-based firmware.
• Own debugging and validation using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG tools.
• Design and execute robust unit, integration, and system-level tests to ensure reliability.

What You Bring

• B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of embedded development experience with strong C++, C and Python skills.
• Deep understanding of RTOS, microcontroller platforms, and embedded system architecture.
• Experience with STM32, ARM Cortex-M series, and embedded toolchains.
• Background working on optical transceiver modules or optic firmware development.
• Track record of leading or mentoring firmware engineers in high-performance teams.
• Familiarity with communication protocols like SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Strong debugging and cross-functional collaboration skills.

What’s Offered

• $200K–$230K + Bonus + Stock Options
• Full benefits.
• Ownership over firmware in a fast-moving, well-funded start-up.
• Career progression in a multidisciplinary team of experts

Why This Role?
This is your chance to lead embedded development at the heart of a new generation of optical interconnects. Join a small, elite team solving hard technical problems in real time.