Firmware Engineering Intern (Optical)

Job description

<p></p>
<p><strong>Firmware Engineering Intern</strong></p>
<p><strong>Role Overview</strong></p>
<p>As a Firmware Engineering Intern on the Optical Transceiver Module or Active Electrical Cable (AEC) Firmware team, you will contribute to embedded software that helps bring up, validate, and improve high-speed connectivity products. You will work across C and Python codebases, build practical debugging skills, and collaborate with firmware, hardware, and validation engineers to turn requirements into reliable product functionality.</p>
<p>This is an opportunity to apply your coursework and embedded firmware experience to real products supporting the next generation of rack-scale AI infrastructure. You will gain hands-on exposure to firmware development, lab testing, automation, and system-level problem solving while learning in a fast-moving environment where interns are encouraged to grow and make meaningful contributions.</p>
<p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Firmware Development</strong>
<ul>
<li>Implement and enhance embedded firmware in C for optical and active electrical cable products.</li>
<li>Develop Python scripts and tools for test automation, device configuration, log parsing, and data analysis.</li>
<li>Translate requirements into clear, maintainable code with guidance from experienced firmware engineers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bring-Up, Debugging, and Validation</strong>
<ul>
<li>Support firmware bring-up on embedded platforms and assist with board- and system-level debugging.</li>
<li>Execute functional, regression, and interoperability tests; document results and track issues.</li>
<li>Use lab equipment and software tools to isolate failures, verify fixes, and improve product quality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration and Documentation</strong>
<ul>
<li>Partner with hardware, systems, and validation engineers to investigate issues and deliver integrated solutions.</li>
<li>Participate in code reviews and apply feedback to improve reliability, readability, and maintainability.</li>
<li>Contribute to design notes, test plans, debug reports, and other engineering documentation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Basic Qualifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.</li>
<li>Embedded firmware experience through coursework, research, personal projects, or a prior internship.</li>
<li>Proficiency in C and Python.</li>
<li>Understanding of embedded systems concepts, microcontrollers, memory, interrupts, and peripheral interfaces.</li>
<li>Demonstrated ability to debug methodically, learn quickly, and communicate technical findings clearly.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Experience developing firmware for an ARM-based microcontroller, such as STM32.</li>
<li>Familiarity with embedded interfaces and peripherals such as UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, and timers.</li>
<li>Exposure to real-time operating system concepts or bare-metal firmware development.</li>
<li>Experience using JTAG or SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar hardware-debugging tools.</li>
<li>Interest in high-speed connectivity, signal integrity, or physical-layer concepts.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<h2 class="wnfdnti _1ibi0s33y _1ibi0s34u">Internship experience and compensation</h2>
<p class="wnfdntu _1ibi0s3f5 _1ibi0s3ce _1ibi0s3ea">This is a paid, hourly U.S. internship. The applicable hourly rate is determined as part of the offer process and specified in the offer letter, depending on education level ranges form $35/hour to $55/hour. U.S. interns currently receive a $500-per-week housing/relocation stipend for the duration of the internship. Interns participate in Early Career programming, including technical and professional-development sessions, community events, and an end-of-program project presentation.</p>
<h2>Equal opportunity</h2>
<p>Astera Labs is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage anyone with relevant experience to apply.</p>
<p></p>
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