Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Analog Connectivity

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.

The Role and Its Impact 

Our analog connectivity product portfolio includes sophisticated mixed-signal components that form the critical signal conditioning path in both optical modules and copper interconnects: transimpedance amplifiers, transmit drivers, continuous-time linear equalizers, and integrated analog subsystems. The firmware you develop will directly control the adaptive behavior, calibration sequences, and real-time performance optimization of these analog circuits deployed in data centers worldwide.  

As a Principal Engineer in our Signal Connectivity Engineering group, you'll shape firmware architectures that directly impact the performance and reliability of connectivity solutions powering AI infrastructure globally. You'll take end-to-end ownership of the software lifecycle, from pre-silicon planning through production deployment and field support. You will bridge the gap between sophisticated analog circuit design and the software intelligence required to make these circuits adaptive and robust. Working at the intersection of embedded systems and analog control, you'll collaborate closely with mixed-signal designers, systems architects, silicon validation engineers, and customer teams while building and leading a technical team in a high-growth company. 

We're a startup, and this role reflects that reality. You'll have responsibilities spanning firmware architecture, team building, CI/CD infrastructure, customer engagement, and lab automation. We're looking for someone who thrives wearing multiple hats and is energized by jumping into whatever needs doing. We recognize this breadth and reward it accordingly. 

This position offers an opportunity to build and lead a team from the ground up. You'll help hire two engineers and will play an active role in recruiting as the team grows. Depending on your preferences, you can either manage these engineers directly from day one, or mentor them while remaining in a technical lead capacity, either path is fully supported. 

Level is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. 

Location & Travel 

This is a remote position, but candidates must be located and authorized to work in the Ottawa area. Occasional travel to our San Jose headquarters will be required, approximately twice per year for chip bring-ups and project coordination. 

Core Responsibilities 

Software Ownership & Architecture 

• Own the complete firmware stack for analog connectivity products, from low-level hardware abstraction through customer-facing APIs 
• Design and implement embedded firmware that controls complex analog subsystems including adaptive equalization, gain control, PLL/CDR feedback loops, and thermal management 
• Architect calibration algorithms, state machines, and control flow for managing analog tuning parameters across process, voltage, and temperature variation 
• Establish software quality gates and validation criteria at each development phase 

Technical Leadership & Team Building 

• Help recruit and hire two engineers to join your team, with ongoing involvement in recruiting as the team expands 
• Lead your team, whether through direct management or technical mentorship, through design, implementation, code review, and debugging activities 
• Lead architecture discussions and technical tradeoff decisions; balance performance, code size, maintainability, and time-to-market 
• Serve as the go-to technical expert for mixed-signal firmware and analog control loop behavior 
• Drive difficult debug sessions in the lab and through remote customer support, coordinating across silicon design, systems, and applications teams 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with analog circuit designers to understand hardware behavior, tuning requirements, and failure modes 
• Collaborate with product applications to translate customer requirements into firmware features and APIs 
• Work alongside silicon and system validation teams to develop test plans, automate characterization flows, and verify firmware behavior across corner cases 
• Coordinate with field applications engineers to support customer integration and resolve deployment issues 
• Provide regular project updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and technical challenges 

What You Bring 

Required Qualifications: 

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field 
• 10+ years of embedded C/C++ firmware development in resource-constrained environments 
• Proven track record as a Technical Lead or Team Lead on embedded projects from architecture through production 
• Deep understanding of microcontroller architecture, memory-mapped peripherals, interrupt handling, and bare-metal firmware design 
• Solid experience with analog control loops: PID controllers, feedback systems, adaptive algorithms, and tuning methodologies 
• Strong proficiency with Linux development tools: gcc/clang, make, bash scripting, gdb, and git 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly 
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and systematic debugging approach on real hardware 
• Comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to take on whatever challenges arise in a fast-moving startup environment 

Highly Valued Skills: 

• Experience with Python for test automation, data analysis, or general scripting 
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining Jenkins CI/CD pipelines and automated test infrastructure 
• Familiarity with mixed-signal systems: ADC/DAC interfaces, sensor readout, analog signal conditioning, calibration techniques 
• Knowledge of transimpedance amplifiers, transmit drivers, equalizers (CTLE/DFE), CDR/PLL circuits, or related analog signal path components 
• Background in optical module firmware, pluggable optics/AEC standards (MSA/CMIS), retimer or gearbox firmware/API, or high-speed copper connectivity 
• Experience with lab equipment: oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, Viavi/Lecroy/Exfo/Keysight/Tektronix/etc. 
• Exposure to SERDES, Ethernet PHYs, layer 1 devices, or PCIe physical layer implementations 
• Understanding of signal integrity concepts: equalization, channel loss, jitter, eye diagrams, and link margin 
• Familiarity with FPGA emulation, pre-silicon validation, or hardware simulation environments 
• Experience with RTOS, device drivers, coroutines 
• Prior people management, mentorship, or recruiting experience 

Compensation 

Salary range is CAD $184,500 to $205,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role will include a discretionary bonus, extremely competitive equity package, comprehensive health/dental/vision coverage, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation. 

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.