Principal Firmware Engineer

Job Title

Principal Firmware Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and optimize low-level firmware for memory interface PHY training (DDR, LPDDR, HBM) within the Synopsys IP Group firmware team based in Ottawa. Work at the hardware–software boundary to improve training runtime, robustness, and system boot performance using lab testchips and RTL analysis.

Experience Level

Senior - expects substantial experience (typically on the order of 8–12+ years of commercial or production software/firmware engineering experience, depending on qualifications).

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include developing firmware, debugging across hardware and RTL, and mentoring team members.

• Develop and optimize firmware for DDR, LPDDR, and HBM PHY training sequences.
• Profile compiled firmware at the instruction level and implement optimizations to reduce runtime.
• Analyze RTL waveforms and hardware lab data to refine training algorithms and improve eye margins.
• Debug complex hardware–software interaction issues across firmware, RTL, and physical silicon using lab and simulation tools.
• Collaborate on firmware architecture and JEDEC protocol analysis to propose algorithmic improvements.
• Prototype and evaluate emerging modeling techniques for memory training workflows.
• Mentor and upskill engineers on embedded firmware development, RTL debugging, and profiling workflows.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and demonstrated experience for immediate contribution.

• Deep proficiency in C for embedded firmware and experience optimizing for resource-constrained processors.
• Hands-on experience with RTL waveform analysis and debugging (tools such as Verdi, DVE, or similar).
• Proven ability to work at the hardware–software boundary and reason about firmware interaction with digital logic and physical interfaces.
• Experience profiling and optimizing compiled code for performance-critical applications.
• Strong debugging skills across firmware, RTL simulation, and hardware lab environments.
• Excellent communication skills for cross-discipline collaboration and mentoring.

Nice-to-have:

• Python for test automation and data analysis.
• Verilog or RTL co-development experience.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 12+ years of commercial/production experience; OR Master's degree with 10+ years; OR PhD with 8+ years, all in commercial or production environments. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are considered as described in the posting.

About the Company

Company: Synopsys

Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA

Synopsys is a leading company in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor IP solutions. It provides tools and services for designing and verifying complex semiconductor devices and systems. The company plays a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry, helping engineers innovate and deliver higher-quality products faster. Synopsys is committed to advancing technology standards and offers a range of software and hardware solutions to its clients globally.