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.