SerDes PHY FW​/SW Engineer​/Senior​/Principal Levels

Position: SerDes PHY FW/SW Engineer - Staff/Senior Staff/Principal Levels
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.

What You Can Expect
What You’ll Do
Example Problems You’ll Solve

Mentoring a junior engineer through a hard-to-reproduce PHY calibration bug seen in customer silicon

Developing architecture and state machines to handle multi-lane synchronization or adaptive equalization across dynamic conditions

Porting a high-level MATLAB or Python Ser Des calibration algorithm to optimized fixed-point firmware

Creating a Ser Des diagnostics framework accessible via both SDK and GUI

Using simulation environments and FPGA emulation to validate FW behavior before tapeout

Working with IP hardware architects to influence future revisions based on field debug learnings

What You’ll Need

Preferred Experience

Knowledge of Ser Des, high-speed IO standards (PCIe, Ethernet, UCIe, CXL, etc)

Experience with calibration algorithms, signal conditioning, and adaptive feedback control in hardware

Experience in silicon bring-up and post-silicon debug

Experience in pre-silicon firmware development (DV, emulation, etc)

Knowledge of RTOS or bare-metal FW architectures

Scripting in Python, Bash, etc. for lab automation and testing

Familiarity with digital design concepts (Verilog / System Verilog), simulation, and DV flows

Exposure to the OSI model, especially physical and data link layers

Understanding of signal processing concepts such as eye diagrams, jitter, BER, SNR, CTLE / DFE / FFE, etc.

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

Comprehensive health plan

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Wellness Spending Account (WSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time Off

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.

The Opportunity
We're looking for the Wavemakers of tomorrow.

Core responsibilities for the firmware team include:

Embedded firmware running on RISC-V-based controllers that manage Alphawave’s advanced Ser Des datapaths

C SDKs provided to customers for Ser Des bring-up, calibration, tuning, and diagnostics

Python-based lab tools and GUIs for interactive debug, register access, and validation

Build, regression, and CI infrastructure to ensure code quality and full coverage

You’ll play a key leadership role in delivering robust, production-quality firmware for Ser Des PHY IP. You’ll help define architecture, drive features end-to-end, coordinate across cross-functional teams, and directly influence the design and usability of Alphawave’s IP.
Technical lead for Ser Des firmware on a major IP program, working with a team (2–8 engineers) through planning, development, validation, and customer delivery

Architecting and implementing embedded C / C++ firmware for hardware calibration, training algorithms, DSP adaptations, and link state management

Debugging complex lab and field issues in conjunction with hardware, applications, and validation teams

Collaborating across functions to define FW milestones, plan sprints, close tickets, and ensure delivery of reliable and high-quality features

Translating protocol specifications (e.g. PCIe, Ethernet, CXL) or custom system-level requirements into internal firmware architecture and documentation

Supporting development and silicon bring-up across Alphawave Semi teams and other sites

Qualifications

BS / MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

7+ years of experience in embedded C / C++ firmware development for hardware IP or So Cs

Technical or team leadership experience in embedded software projects from spec to production

Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture (RISC-V a plus), memory‑mapped registers, ISRs, and boot flows

Strong lab debug skills, working directly on silicon with scopes, analyzers, and custom tools

Familiarity with git and modern software development methodologies

Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across functions and geographies

J-18808-Ljbffr

#J-18808-Ljbffr