Lead Engineer - SW Design - RAIL

Job Title

Lead Engineer - SW Design - RAIL

Role Summary

Owner of low-level embedded software for Silicon Labs' RAIL radio SDK, delivering reliable, power-efficient firmware used across IoT products. Work closely with firmware, silicon, systems, and test teams to take features from design through verification and long-term support.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 7+ years professional experience in embedded software or firmware development.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, verify, and maintain low-level firmware and SDK components for wireless microcontrollers; support hardware bring-up and long-term product releases.

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software for low-power wireless MCUs and SDKs.
• Support hardware features across IC lifecycle: design, pre-silicon, post-silicon, release, and long-term maintenance.
• Implement device drivers, initialization/startup code, timing-sensitive system software, and radio control features.
• Optimize for performance, power efficiency, memory and CPU constraints in real-time systems.
• Debug cross-domain issues at the software/firmware/hardware boundary using lab tools and debuggers.
• Collaborate with hardware, silicon, systems, and product teams to define requirements and support bring-up.
• Contribute to automated test, validation, and development tooling.
• Participate in code and design reviews and mentor other engineers.

Requirements

Core technical skills and professional experience required; preferred items listed separately.

• 7+ years in embedded software or firmware development, delivering production features through release.
• Strong programming skills in Embedded C and/or C++.
• Experience developing for microcontrollers in resource-constrained, real-time environments (bare metal and/or RTOS).
• Proven debugging skills at the hardware/software boundary using debuggers, JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers.
• Experience with low-level software: device drivers, interrupts, peripheral interfaces, timing-sensitive code.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to mentor peers.

Education Requirements

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience.

Nice-to-Have

Skills and experience that strengthen a candidate's fit for this role.

• Experience with wireless/connectivity technologies (Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Thread, Wi‑Fi, or proprietary radios).
• Experience with PHY/MAC, radio control software, or timing-critical communication stacks.
• Experience optimizing for low power and embedded reliability; knowledge of SPI, I2C, UART, DMA, timers.
• Familiarity with Python or scripting for tooling, CI, automation, and test frameworks.
• Experience with silicon bring-up, hardware validation, multi-core MCUs, concurrency, or assembly (ARM, RISC‑V).
• Familiarity with automated test, CI, hardware-in-the-loop, and AI-assisted development tools (with sound validation practices).

About the Company

Company: Silicon Labs

Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA

Silicon Labs is a leading innovator in low-power wireless connectivity, creating embedded technology that connects devices to improve lives. With a focus on advanced edge connectivity applications, the company provides device makers with cutting-edge solutions and support. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Silicon Labs operates in over 16 countries, serving markets such as smart home, industrial IoT, and smart cities.