Principal HW Engineer

Description
Key Responsibilities

• Embedded and hardware bring-up architect: Take the technical lead on new hardware designs and system-level architectures. This includes designing the hardware-software interface, creating the plan for initial board bring-up, and leading the debugging efforts to get the new system fully functional.

• Low-level software development: Serve as a subject matter expert for the most critical low-level software.

• C programming: Develop highly optimized and robust C code for performance-sensitive and resource-constrained environments.

• Bootloaders and firmware: Design, develop, and debug bootloader software like U-Boot and system firmware like BIOS for various architectures (x86, ARM, MIPS), ensuring a reliable and secure boot process.

• Linux kernel integration: Drive the integration and development of Linux kernel device drivers and subsystems.

• Custom drivers: Develop and maintain kernel drivers for peripherals connected via buses like I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and PCIe.

• Networking stack: Enhance and debug the Linux networking stack, particularly around the interaction with hardware, and contribute to open-source(ONIE, OpenBMC etc.,) initiatives.

• Board management controller (BMC) leadership: Lead the design and implementation of the BMC firmware, which is critical for our chassis management.

• OpenBMC/IPMI/Redfish: Possess deep knowledge of manageability standards like IPMI and Redfish and architect solutions based on the OpenBMC open-source framework.

• Platform security: Work with the security team to implement platform security features and manage a Hardware Root of Trust (HROT).

• Networking hardware expertise: Use extensive experience with networking silicon to guide development and debugging efforts.

• Broadcom devices: Possess hands-on experience with Broadcom network switches and components, such as the Trident 4 and Tomahawk series.

• High-speed components: Understand and work with high-speed SerDes, optical modules, Ethernet/PCIe PHYs, and other Layer 1 hardware components.

• Custom distribution and build management: Architect and maintain the build system for the embedded product.

• Yocto/Buildroot: Use build systems like Yocto and Buildroot to create custom, optimized Linux distributions.

• Linux distribution expertise: Work with standard enterprise Linux distributions like Rocky Linux, adapting and integrating them for specific hardware.

• Team and process leadership: Act as a technical mentor and drive best practices.

• Code review and mentoring: Conduct rigorous code reviews and mentor junior and mid-level engineers, helping them grow their skills and navigate complex technical challenges.

• Agile methodology: Drive continuous improvement in software development processes and participate in agile practices.

Technical Qualifications/Education/Experience

• Education: A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics, Electrical, Computer Science is the minimum requirement.
• Experience: Over 15+ years of professional experience in software design and development, specifically in the hardware networking domain. This includes designing, developing, and implementing complex software and hardware networking products.

Embedded systems and hardware bring-up

• Architecture expertise: Extensive experience with multiple processor architectures, including Intel x86, ARM, and MIPS.
• Platform firmware: In-depth knowledge of bootloaders like U-Boot and system firmware such as BIOS, including their porting and customization.
• Hardware bring-up: Demonstrated ability to lead board bring-up, including debugging complex issues, using lab equipment (logic analyzers, trace32, BIOS/CPLD programming tools), and understanding of schematics.
• Baseboard management: Deep understanding of Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) architecture, development, and debugging.
• Security: Strong background in embedded security, particularly Hardware Root of Trust (HROT) implementation.

Low-level software and development

• C Programming: Expert-level proficiency in C, often extending to C++ for embedded systems development.
• Linux Kernel: Master of Linux kernel internals, including developing and debugging device drivers, memory management, and process scheduling.
• Device drivers: Extensive experience creating drivers for a wide range of devices, including I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and PCIe.
• Build systems: Expert knowledge of embedded Linux build systems like Yocto and Buildroot to create customized distributions, and experience with packaging and deployment.
• Linux distributions: Profound experience with enterprise Linux distributions, such as Rocky Linux.

Networking and hardware components

• Network protocols: Mastery of both high-level protocols (TCP/IP, Ethernet) and low-level physical layer (Layer 1) components.
• High-speed interfaces: Deep experience with high-speed serial links (SerDes) and protocols like Ethernet/PCIe PHYs.
• Switch silicon: Direct, hands-on experience working with switch chips from major vendors like Broadcom and Marvell, including specific expertise with Trident 4, Tomahawk and CN9XXX silicon.
• Optical modules: Experience working with and debugging optical modules used in high-speed networking.
• Hardware management: In-depth knowledge of modern hardware management interfaces like OpenBMC, IPMI, and Redfish.

Leadership and architectural skills

• Technical leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and drive technical direction for complex projects.
• Architectural design: Expertise in architecting system-level solutions, conducting feasibility analyses, and creating technical and functional specifications.
• Problem-solving: Exceptional analytical and troubleshooting skills to resolve complex, system-level issues, often through root cause analysis.
• Communication: Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentorship: Ability to mentor junior engineers, lead code reviews, and promote development best practices.

As an equal opportunity employer, all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, and/or local law. For more information, please refer to Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

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