Senior Optical Transceiver Firmware Engineer

Supermicro

. Design, develop, test, and debug embedded firmware for advanced optical transceiver platforms, including QSFP-DD, OSFP, OSFP-XD, and future high-speed module form factors .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • United StatesSenior💰 $160,000 - $185,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in embedded firmware development for optical transceiver platforms, with strong proficiency in C/C++ programming and a solid understanding of communication protocols. Capable of collaborating across engineering teams to define architecture and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Embedded Firmware DevelopmentC/C++ ProgrammingOptical Transceiver TechnologiesCommunication ProtocolsDebugging and Problem-Solving

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills

Embedded SystemsFirmware ArchitectureReal-Time Embedded PlatformsOptical Module DiagnosticsAutomation and Validation ScriptingCMIS ComplianceReliability QualificationFailure AnalysisOptical Communication FundamentalsRTOS Experience

Soft Skills

CollaborationAnalytical ThinkingRoot-Cause Analysis

Tools & Technologies

OscilloscopesLogic AnalyzersProtocol AnalyzersOptical Test EquipmentAutomated Test Systems

Industry Keywords

NetworkingTelecommunicationsData CenterHigh-Speed Module Form FactorsPAM4 SignalingFECCWDM/DWDM400G Optical Transceivers800G Optical Transceivers1.6T Optical Transceivers

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonRTOSC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, develop, test, and debug embedded firmware for advanced optical transceiver platforms, including QSFP-DD, OSFP, OSFP-XD, and future high-speed module form factors
Implement and maintain firmware features supporting CMIS, I²C, MDIO, SPI, and PMBus
Develop firmware for module initialization and control, optical diagnostics and telemetry, digital diagnostics monitoring, alarm and warning management, thermal and power management, and fault detection and recovery
Define firmware architecture, requirements, and design specifications with optical, electrical, mechanical, and system engineering teams
Develop manufacturing and validation firmware for calibration, characterization, testing, and production qualification
Create and maintain automation tools, scripts, and test frameworks to improve validation efficiency and ensure standards compliance
Support interoperability testing with networking equipment from major switch, NIC, and system vendors
Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams on production testing, firmware programming, field upgrades, and yield improvement
Analyze and optimize firmware performance, reliability, security, and power efficiency
Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of complex firmware, hardware, and system-level issues
Participate in design reviews, code reviews, technical discussions, and architecture planning
Stay current with CMIS, MSA specifications, IEEE Ethernet standards, coherent and DSP-based optical technologies, and AI and hyperscale networking requirements
Support manufacturing burn-in and firmware QA

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
8+ years of experience in embedded firmware or software development, preferably in networking, telecommunications, data center, or hardware-control applications
Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming for embedded systems
Experience developing firmware for hardware control and real-time embedded platforms
Hands-on experience with optical transceiver technologies, such as QSFP28, QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP/CFP2, and related pluggable optical modules
Strong understanding of communication interfaces and protocols, including I²C/I3C, MDIO, SPI, UART, PMBus
Experience implementing or troubleshooting CMIS-compliant firmware
Knowledge of optical module diagnostics, telemetry, calibration, alarm handling, and health monitoring mechanisms
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and optical test equipment
Experience with 400G, 800G, and 1.6T optical transceiver architectures
Knowledge of Ethernet PHYs, DSPs, retimers, gearbox devices, and SerDes technologies
Understanding of optical communication fundamentals, including PAM4 signaling, FEC, CWDM/DWDM, and coherent optics
Experience with RTOS-based embedded systems
Proficiency in Python or scripting languages used for automation and validation
Familiarity with manufacturing test development and automated test systems
Experience supporting high-volume production and field deployments
Knowledge of reliability qualification, failure analysis, and product lifecycle management processes

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Potential eligibility for bonus programs
Potential eligibility for equity award programs