Firmware / Software Manager – High-Speed SerDes

The Opportunity

We're looking for the Wavemakers of tomorrow.

Alphawave Semi enables tomorrow’s future by accelerating the critical data communication at the heart of our digital world – from seamless video streaming to AI to the metaverse and much more. Our technology powers product innovation in the most data-demanding industries today, including data centers, networking, storage, artificial intelligence, 5G wireless infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. Customers partner with us for mission-critical data communication, our innovative technologies, and our proven track record. Together, we enable the next generation of digital technology.

Lead the team that architects, develops, and maintains the embedded firmware and host-side software that powering high-speed SerDes PHYs (PCIe, Ethernet, UALink, UEC). You will own the complete lifecycle—from pre-silicon development through post-silicon bring-up, production release, and ongoing customer support—while driving best-in-class engineering practices, schedule predictability, and product quality.

What You'll Do:

Technical Leadership

• Define firmware & software architecture (boot, calibration loops, DSP microcode, link training, diagnostics).
• Guide design decisions on code modularity, traceability, and real-time performance.
• Review schematics and IP block diagrams to align FW/SW with analog/mixed-signal design.

People & Project Management

• Recruit, mentor, and grow a team of 6–10 embedded/FW engineers and validation developers.
• Set clear goals, conduct regular 1-on-1s, and drive performance feedback.
• Build and track project plans; manage risks with data-driven mitigation.
• Cross-Functional Execution
• Partner daily with analog, digital, verification, and systems teams to close specifications, timing, and feature trade-offs.
• Coordinate with product and customer-engineering teams to translate requirements into deliverables.

Process & Quality

• Champion robust CI/CD (GitLab CI, Jenkins), code review, and static-analysis flows.
• Author and enforce FW release checklist (regression, coverage, automated HW-in-loop testing)

Post-Silicon & Customer Support

• Lead lab bring-up, performance tuning, and link compliance testing.
• Provide root-cause analysis for customer issues; drive quick patch releases and long-term fixes.
• Create reference drivers, SDKs, and comprehensive documentation for external partners.
• Develop test plans for silicon bring up

What You'll Need:

• B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
• 8+ years in embedded firmware development, with 3+ years leading teams; proven ownership of at least one SerDes or other high-speed I/O product from tape-out to volume production.
• Expert-level C/C++; solid assembly familiarity (ARM, RISC-V, or proprietary DSP ISA).
• Deep understanding of SerDes link architecture (CDR/PLL, TX/RX equalization, link training, PRBS/BERT).
• Hands-on with RTOS/bare-metal systems, boot-loaders, interrupt handling, and low-level register programming.
• Proficient in Python for test automation; comfort with oscilloscopes, BERTs, and high-speed scopes.

Process & Tools:

• Git-based workflows, Github/GitLab review, Jira, static analysis (Coverity, clang-tidy), Jenkins/GitLab CI.

Soft Skills:

• Clear technical communication, data-driven decision making, and the ability to influence across analog, digital, and software domains.

Preferred / “Nice-to-Have”

• PCIe 5.0/6.0, Ethernet, UCIe, DDR, or HBM SerDes experience.
• Knowledge of DSP-based adaptation algorithms (FFE, CTLE, DFE).
• Familiarity with Verilog test benches or mixed-signal co-simulation (AMS).
• Customer-facing debug or field-application engineering background.

We have a flexible work environment to support and help employees thrive in personal and professional capacities.

You’ll also be eligible for competitive benefits described as per below:

Health & Wellness

Our programs emphasize knowledge and prevention, helping you stay proactive and prepared to manage your health at every stage.

• Comprehensive health plan
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)​

Time Off

We value the importance of rest and recharge, which is why we offer flexible time off options to support your well-being.

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave Top-Up Program

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Alphawave Semi is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all applicants regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics. We value diversity and provide accommodations during the recruitment process.