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 collaborative 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

- Adaptable 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) (Ottawa)
🏢 Astera Labs
📍 Ottawa