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# Embedded Software Engineer - Ethernet Retimers

- **Company:** Astera Labs
- **Location:** San Jose, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $133,200.0 - $185,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Data Analysis, Automation of Tests, Bash Shell, C++ (Programming Language), Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Embedded C, Ethernet, Network Interface Controllers, Firmware, GNU Debuggers, Signal Integrity, System Testing, Systems Integration, Scripting, State Machines, Git, Linux Development, Information Technology, Api Design
- **Published:** September 4, 2026
- **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-embedded-software-engineer-ethernet-retimers-astera-labs-8014105

## About the Role

* 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: Layer 1 PHY, SERDES, retimers, gearboxes, NICs, switches, or related devices
 * Solid embedded C/C++ skills and comfort working in a firmware codebase on real hardware
 * Ability to debug across the hardware/software boundary: register accesses, embedded SDKs, link state machines, PHY telemetry, debug print logs
 * Familiarity with Linux development tools: gcc/clang, make, bash, gdb, git
 * Strong communication skills and comfort working in a fast-moving environment where the problem in front of you may not have a clean solution

Preferred Qualifications

 * Experience with switch or NIC management software, SAI, or OpenBMC
 * Knowledge of PMA, FEC, or other PHY-layer subsystems beyond the SERDES
 * Background with retimer or gearbox firmware or SDK/API development
 * Python scripting for debug, test automation, or data analysis
 * Experience with lab equipment: BERT, oscilloscopes, Viavi/Lecroy/Exfo/Keysight/Tektronix or similar
 * Understanding of signal integrity: equalization, jitter, eye diagrams, link margin
 * Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading debug efforts across teams

## Description

* Debug & System Integration
 + Work directly with the system validation team to debug firmware behavior across different Ethernet configurations, link states, and failure modes
 + Investigate and fix firmware issues in embedded C, leveraging deep understanding of how Layer 1 PHY, SERDES, FEC/PCS, MAC, and retimer components interact
 + Serve as the connective tissue between firmware and system validation teams, triaging issues and driving them to resolution without long handoff loops
 * Customer Bring-Up & Field Support
 + Support customer bring-up and integration activities, including triaging field issues and coordinating fixes with internal teams
 + Partner with field applications engineers to diagnose and resolve deployment issues quickly
 * Firmware Feature Development
 + Contribute to firmware feature development for SERDES configuration, link training, equalization, and diagnostics
 + Partner with SoC, field applications, and platform teams across the full product lifecycle
 + Help bring new Taurus products from initial silicon bringup through customer deployment


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