Responsibilities

Our analog and Ethernet connectivity products sit in the critical signal path of optical modules, copper interconnects, and high-speed networking infrastructure

Across both product lines, the firmware controlling these devices drives adaptive behaviour, calibration sequences, link management, and real-time performance, and it ends up deployed in data centers around the world

This is the kind of work where what you write actually matters

You’ll be part of a small Ottawa-based team working directly alongside senior engineers on firmware development, hardware bring‑up, test automation, and day‑to‑day project tracking

You won’t be handed a narrow slice of work and left alone

You’ll be involved across the board, getting exposure to how analog and Ethernet connectivity products go from silicon to production

This is a startup, and that means things move quickly and the work doesn’t always fit neatly into a job description

If that sounds like your kind of environment, keep reading

Level is negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Write and modify embedded C firmware for analog and Ethernet connectivity devices, including register configuration, state machines, calibration sequences, and control loops

Work on low-level hardware bring‑up and debug alongside senior firmware engineers

Contribute to features spanning analog control such as gain settings and equalization parameters, as well as Ethernet link management, SERDES configuration, and diagnostics

Help maintain and improve the firmware codebase with clean, reviewable code

Write Python scripts to automate test flows, collect and analyze data, and help make the team faster

Work with validation teams remotely to develop and execute test plans across a range of operating conditions and corner cases

Help build out CI infrastructure and automated test tooling as the team grows





Contribute to characterizing firmware behaviour across analog and Ethernet configurations, link states, and failure modes

Keep Jira tickets up to date, track your own work, and flag blockers early

Participate in code reviews and architecture discussions

Communicate clearly with teammates across firmware, silicon design, and applications

Qualifications

Some experience with Python scripting, whether for test automation, data analysis, or general utility scripts

Familiarity with Linux development tools: gcc/clang, make, bash, gdb, and git

A genuine interest in digging into hard problems and the persistence to see them through

2 to 5 years of experience writing embedded C/C++ firmware on real hardware

Strong communication skills and a cooperative attitude; you’ll be working closely with a small team and need to keep everyone in the loop

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

Comfort working at the hardware/software boundary: reading datasheets, poking registers, interpreting hardware behaviour from software

Hands‑on experience with Ethernet at the system or device level: Layer 1 PHY, SERDES, retimers, gearboxes, NICs, or related devices

Exposure to analog or mixed‑signal systems: ADC/DAC interfaces, calibration techniques, signal conditioning

Understanding of signal integrity concepts: equalization, jitter, eye diagrams, or link margin

Experience with Jira or similar tools for issue tracking and project management

Background with RTOS, device drivers, or bare‑metal firmware on microcontrollers

Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, BERTs, logic analyzers or similar

Prior internship or co‑op experience in a semiconductor or networking hardware company

Benefits

Flexible time off in the US

Parental leave

401K

Retirement and pension plans

Competitive medical, dental and vision plans

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📌 Embedded Software Engineer (Tech Lead) (Quebec City)
🏢 Astera Labs
📍 Quebec City