Principal Firmware Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Embedded Firmware Project Management & Team Leadership – 25%

• Requirements analysis: Requirements gathering, use case analysis, device and application prototyping, Product Management/customer-liaison(Sales) engagement
• Working with other Firmware Engineering staff, lead discussions and coordinate / organize staff workloads
• Project management: Project planning, task estimation, software metrics collection, oversee proper function of version control process, leading software Sprint meetings

Firmware Development for Erbium Fiber Doped Amplifier Products (Module and Line Card) – 30%

• Full lifecycle software application development: Architecture Design (in collaboration with other disciplines eg. Hardware, Mechanical, Systems Integration). 
• Programming, debugging, peer review, unit testing, performance tuning, integration
• Learn and master the existing custom RTOS platforms.
• Respond to specifications and engage in technical discussions with customers.
• Develop algorithmic improvements to new products as required, as well as extracting alogorithms from existing codebases.
• Manage code repository and track issues.

Firmware Development for OTDR Products – 30%

• Full lifecycle software application development: Architecture Design (in collaboration with other disciplines eg. Hardware, Mechanical, Systems Integration). 
• Programming, debugging, peer review, unit testing, performance tuning, integration
• Learn and master existing OTDR algorithms and HW/SW interfaces.
• Work with optical and hardware engineers to develop new solutions and algorithms according to project needs.
• Maintenance and migration of existing OS / RTOS features to new hardware platforms
• Manage code repository and track issues.

Sustaining Product Support – 15%

• Study the existing product specifications and firmware implementation in order to develop new features based on customer requirements, and resolve firmware issues in existing products.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields.
• 9 or more years of experience related to control systems development with FPGA SoC and/or microcontrollers, focusing on firmware development for embedded applications. Experience in the optical communication industry is preferred.
• Demonstrated team leadership involved in complex embedded systems development, ideally across multiple geographic regions. 
• Ability to communicate across the organization including Executive Leadership, Product Management, Program Management, and Operations during planning and execution of programs 
• Development & Design of software architectures to optimize performance of embedded systems including data acquisition, filter design, curve fitting, data calibration. Open and closed closed-loop control strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding and experience in Object-Oriented design in C for embedded systems, with experience in assembly programming and hardware abstraction.
• Experience with problem analysis and resolution in the software domain.
• Experience using agile software development tools:   Jira, Github, ClearCase, etc. 
• Experience in OTDR or diagnostic equipment algorithm development, including Noise Reduction Algorithms, Curve Fitting Algorithms, Event Detection Algorithms, Dynamic Range Enhancement, and Fault Location Algorithms a strong plus.
• Proven ability to achieve results independently or collaboratively.

Skills

• Programming Languages: C , Python, Assembly.
• Knowledge and experience with NIOS, ARM, and GNU toolchains.
• Proficient in digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and collaboratively across geography and timezones.
• Creative, analytical, and structured problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of optical components, drivers, and calibration processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, balancing external and internal demands.
• Proven success in working within cross-functional, cross-cultural, and global teams.
• Ability to handle special assignments promptly and professionally.
• Interfacing with global firmware teams located in the US, Asia and India during co-development and large programs

Working Conditions

• The successful candidate will work in a global team that includes developers in the US, India and China. Some flexibility in working hours is required to facilitate interactions 
• Travel to Western customers for support and occasional travel to Asia may be required 

Physical Requirements

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

• Employee is responsible to keep design outputs such as source code documented and in the appropriate repositories

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.