Principal Product Applications Engineer (PCIe/CXL)

Astera Labs is a global leader in purpose-built connectivity solutions that unlock the full potential of AI and cloud infrastructure. Our Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates PCIe®, CXL®, and Ethernet semiconductor-based solutions and the COSMOS software suite of system management and optimization tools to deliver a software-defined architecture that is both scalable and customizable. Inspired by trusted relationships with hyperscalers and the data center ecosystem, we are an innovation leader delivering products that are flexible and interoperable. Discover how we are transforming modern data-driven applications at www.asteralabs.com. 

Job Description: 

As an Astera Labs Principal Product Application Engineer, you will need to provide technical guidance to customers to overcome design challenges, generate collateral for existing and new products, and drive innovation by providing insightful feedback to other internal teams to continuously improve products and processes. Astera Labs is seeking a Principal Product Applications Engineer in Santa Clara, CA with experience supporting the development and designing-in of semiconductor products for PCIe/CXL. There are opportunities to support key customers directly, and also to dive deep in the lab to address the challenges associated with leading edge semiconductor products. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Strong academic and technical background in electrical engineering. At minimum, a Bachelor’s in EE is required, Master’s is preferred. 
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience designing in complex SoC/silicon products with a high speed (preferably PCIe) interface. 
• Entrepreneurial, open-minded behavior and can-do attitude. Think and act with the customer in mind!  

Required Experience 

• Strong working knowledge of PCIe LTSSM at a physical layer level, associated standards, and debug. Most recent experience with PCIe 4.0 at a minimum, some experience with 5.0/CXL preferred. 
• Silicon/System bring-up and debug experience in customer systems.  
• Technical ownership of issue resolution: Driving and directing internal teams, and driving communication to customers through FAE and sales teams. 
• Firsthand experience with lab equipment such as protocol analyzers/exercisers, high-speed oscilloscopes, or BERTs.  
• Technical writing skills to generate clear, precise documentation including application notes and similar guides for internal and customer-facing audiences. 

Preferred experience 

• Triaging complex customer reported issues which require taking into account multiple layers of conditions; for instance, silicon, firmware, hardware board design, and system environment. 
• Development/support for PCIe or Ethernet Switch or Retimer products. 
• PCIe compliance testing methodology and troubleshooting. 
• Comfort working with software/firmware associated with semiconductor products, such as; Firmware development with C-language, scripting with Python or other equivalent programming languages. 
• Understanding of Data Center systems like Servers, JBOGs/JBODs, Networking switches/routers/interconnects etc. 

The base salary range is $160,000 - $240,000. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions.

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.