Firmware Engineer – Post-Silicon Validation

Position: Firmware Engineer – Post-Silicon Validation

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Hybrid, 2 to 3 days a week)

Hire Type: Full Time

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Firmware Engineer to join the Reality Labs Silicon Validation team. In this role, you will develop, debug, and maintain embedded firmware that enables post-silicon bring-up, validation, and characterization of next-generation silicon platforms. You will work closely with silicon validation, hardware, ASIC, and software teams to ensure high-quality silicon delivery through effective firmware development, debugging, and automation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, modify, and debug embedded firmware to support post-silicon bring-up and validation.
• Support silicon bring-up, hardware validation, and feature verification on new silicon platforms.
• Design, develop, and execute firmware-based validation tests.
• Develop automation tools and scripts to improve validation efficiency and test coverage.
• Debug firmware, hardware, and system-level issues using lab equipment and software debugging tools.
• Analyze validation results, identify root causes, and drive issue resolution with cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with ASIC, RTL, hardware, and software engineers throughout the silicon development lifecycle.
• Document validation procedures, test results, and technical findings.
• Continuously improve firmware quality, validation methodologies, and automation frameworks.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Experience with embedded firmware development and debugging.
• Experience working in Linux development environments.
• Proficiency in Python or shell scripting for automation.
• Understanding of embedded systems, computer architecture, and SoC fundamentals.
• Experience with hardware/software integration and debugging.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with post-silicon validation, silicon bring-up, or hardware validation.
• Familiarity with ARM-based SoCs and embedded processors.
• Experience with interfaces such as JTAG, UART, SPI, I2C, PCIe, USB, GPIO, or similar protocols.
• Experience using lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Experience reading hardware schematics and debugging board-level issues.
• Experience with Git or other version control systems.
• Familiarity with automated test frameworks and CI/CD workflows.
• Experience working in cross-functional hardware and firmware development environments.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with firmware performance optimization and diagnostics.
• Knowledge of bootloaders, device drivers, or low-level system software.
• Experience supporting silicon characterization, reliability testing, or manufacturing validation.
• Familiarity with scripting and automation for large-scale validation environments.