Engineer Staff, Firmware

Job Title

Engineer Staff, Firmware

Role Summary

Design and deliver firmware for optical communication products, focusing on microcontroller-based embedded systems and low-level hardware interfaces. Work with cross-functional hardware and software teams to enable reliable production modules and support lab failure analysis.

Position supports mass-production product development, firmware debugging, and integration with application layers and test tools.

Experience Level

Senior - minimum 8 years of related industry experience; staff-level engineering role with responsibility for independent firmware development for production products.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include firmware development, hardware integration, and support of lab and production activities.

• Design and implement firmware for microcontrollers and embedded platforms (MCU-driven modules).
• Develop low-level drivers (GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, ADC, PWM) and integrate peripherals.
• Implement and maintain RTOS-based software (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent).
• Ensure reliable communication between hardware modules and higher-level software.
• Develop GUI tools to support firmware debugging and lab investigations.
• Use JTAG, SWD, and in-circuit debuggers for bring-up and troubleshooting.
• Create and maintain design documentation (memory maps, register files) and test reports.
• Participate in firmware-related failure analysis and root-cause investigations; propose corrective actions.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience for this role.

• Proficiency with microcontrollers and embedded firmware development for production products.
• Experience writing and debugging low-level drivers: GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, ADC, PWM, etc.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar).
• Hands-on use of JTAG, SWD, in-circuit debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and spectrum analyzers.
• Strong analog and digital circuit design understanding and ability to read schematics.
• Knowledge of electronic components: MCUs, ASICs, sensors, laser drivers, TEC controllers, regulators.
• Familiarity with firmware flashing/updating methods and version control workflows.
• Knowledge of optical-communication industry standards and specifications (IEEE 802.3, OIF, MSA, CMIS, etc.).
• Experience with semiconductor lasers for optical communication applications.
• Strong failure analysis and root-cause investigation skills; ability to propose and implement improvements.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and Mandarin.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photoelectric/Optoelectronics, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical field (BS/MS/PhD). (The posting specifies degrees in these fields.)

About the Company

Company: Lumentum

Headquarters: Milpitas, California, United States

Lumentum develops optical and photonic products and subsystems for telecommunications, data centers, cloud computing and industrial applications, providing lasers, modulators, transceivers and test solutions that enable high-speed networking and advanced photonics.