Firmware Engineer - Boot & SoC Initialization

Job Title

Firmware Engineer - Boot & SoC Initialization

Role Summary

Join a System IP team responsible for boot firmware that initializes SoCs across client, server, AI, and semi‑custom products. You will own low‑level boot code that runs at power‑on, work at the firmware/hardware boundary in pre‑silicon environments, and collaborate with architecture, design, and verification teams.

Location: Folsom, CA. This role is hybrid and is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Experience Level

Mid-level / Mid-Career. (No specific years stated.)

Responsibilities

Key duties include development, validation, and debugging of boot and initialization firmware.

• Develop and maintain boot firmware for SoC initialization and boot flows.
• Translate architecture requirements into efficient, scalable firmware implementations.
• Design and implement unit tests for boot and initialization features.
• Support pre‑silicon validation: simulation, emulation, and verification collaboration.
• Debug across firmware, simulation, RTL, and post‑silicon environments; perform root cause analysis.
• Support silicon bring‑up and post‑silicon debug activities.
• Perform coverage analysis and identify verification gaps.
• Document features, flows, and system interactions.

Requirements

Must-have skills and technologies for immediate contribution; preferred skills are listed separately.

• Proficient in C/C++ for low‑level or embedded systems development.
• Practical experience with SoC boot flows, resets, clocking, and initialization.
• Experience debugging across firmware and hardware layers (simulation, RTL, silicon).
• Experience working with pre‑silicon environments and simulation‑based development.
• Familiarity with hardware description languages (Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Experience collaborating with design verification teams and UVM‑based workflows.
• Scripting experience (Shell, Perl, Ruby, Makefile) for automation and test harnesses.

Nice-to-have:

• Knowledge of microprocessor architectures (ARM, RISC‑V).
• Exposure to emulation, silicon bring‑up, or post‑silicon debug.

Education Requirements

Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.

About the Company

Company: Advanced Micro Devices

Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, USA

Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, graphics processors, and related technologies for a variety of computing devices. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, AMD's mission is to deliver high-performance computing solutions for AI, data centers, gaming, and embedded applications. They foster a collaborative, inclusive culture focused on creativity and problem-solving, aiming to drive progress and excellence in technology.