Jobs · Engineering · California

Product Applications Engineer (NCG 2026)

Astera Labs · San Jose, CA · 2 mo ago
Engineering$140k–$150k/yrFull-time

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with customer engagements for Leo CXL Smart Memory Controllers, including bring-up support, feature enablement, and issue triage on customer platforms
  • Develop, validate, and debug firmware using C and Python across Leo's PCIe/CXL and DDR memory subsystems
  • Absorb end-to-end firmware validation of DDR4/DDR5 DRAM interfaces, including initialization, training, RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability) features, and performance tuning
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (FW engineering, HW, systems, product management) to help deliver firmware releases and customer collateral on schedule
  • Develop and maintain Python-based test scripts, automation frameworks, and diagnostic tools to support validation and customer debug workflows
  • Contribute to technical documentation including application notes, release notes, design guides, and customer-facing collateral

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Master's degree preferred
  • Professional attitude with the ability to prioritize a dynamic list of tasks and work with minimal guidance
  • Entrepreneurial, open-minded behavior and can-do attitude — think and act fast with the customer in mind!
  • Authorized to work in the US and available to start immediately

Required Experience

  • Proficiency in C for embedded firmware development in RTOS environments
  • Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and diagnostic tooling
  • Knowledge with firmware bring-up, debug, and validation of memory or I/O subsystems on server platforms
  • Strong debugging skills with the ability to triage and root-cause issues in complex embedded systems
  • Familiarity with SoC interfaces including DDR controllers, PCIe controllers, and on-chip memory subsystems
  • Knowledge of developer workflows: SCM (preferably Git), code reviews, CI/CD pipelines
  • Technical writing skills to generate clear, precise documentation including application notes and similar guides for internal and customer-facing audiences.

Preferred Experience

  • Working knowledge of CXL (Compute Express Link) — CXL 1.1/2.0/3.0 — including memory expansion, pooling, and sharing concepts
  • Experience with PCIe endpoint firmware at the PHY, Link, and Transaction layers; familiarity with PCIe enumeration, MSI/MSI-X, SR-IOV, and error handling
  • Knowledge of high-speed memory interfaces — DDR4 and/or DDR5 DRAM — including initialization sequences, training algorithms, timing margins, and ECC/RAS features
  • Hands-on experience with PCIe/CXL protocol analyzers, BERT, and other lab debug equipment
  • Familiarity with BIOS/BMC/OS interactions with PCIe/CXL devices and MMIO/RAS concepts
  • Experience with server memory performance tuning — latency and bandwidth optimization
  • Prior customer-facing or field applications experience in a semiconductor or systems company is a strong plus

Pay

The base pay for this range is between $140,000 - $150,000 dependent on education level.

Similar jobs