Description

Synaptics is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As the go-to partner for the world’s most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, Veros™ wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We’re making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play.

Overview

Synaptics is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Firmware Engineer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership and architectural expertise in the development and maintenance of embedded firmware. This role requires deep knowledge of Firmware design methodologies, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams through complex design and verification challenges. This role will play a key role in driving innovation, ensuring design quality, and influencing the strategic direction of firmware development. This position reports to the Director, Software Engineering.

Responsibilities & Competencies

Job Duties

• Provide architectural leadership for embedded firmware across multiple product lines, ensuring scalable, performant, and future-proof design decisions
• Define the long-term firmware strategy and technical direction in alignment with system architecture, hardware, and software roadmaps
• Collaborate with executive technical leadership and cross-functional architects to shape requirements, influence design choices, and drive cohesive system integration
• Develop and review complex firmware architectures that balance performance, power, memory, reliability, and scalability tradeoffs
• Guide the adoption of modern firmware development practices, including advanced debugging, CI/CD pipelines, code quality frameworks, and secure coding standards
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to senior engineers, setting best practices and raising the overall technical bar of the organization
• Lead the evaluation of emerging technologies, protocols, and tools to maintain a competitive edge in firmware capabilities
• Serve as a key escalation point for resolving the most challenging firmware and hardware integration issues
• Represent the firmware discipline in technical reviews with customers, partners, and executive leadership
  
  

Competencies

• Recognized technical authority in firmware/embedded systems
• Expert in C/C++ for embedded development
• Deep understanding of microcontrollers, microprocessors, SoCs, and system-level interactions between firmware, hardware, and software
• Strong knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS), advanced power management techniques, and security in embedded systems
• Ability to communicate complex, interactive design concepts clearly
• Proactive, self-starter, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment to complete projects on time with minimal guidance
• Well organized with strong attention to detail; proactively ensures work is accurate
• Positive attitude and work ethic; unafraid to ask questions and explore new ideas
• Resourceful and able to solve highly complex problems through adaptation of existing technology and development of new technology with a deep understanding of product architecture
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to work within a diverse team and mentor developing team members
  
  

Qualifications (Requirements)

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field or equivalent
• 15+ years of experience in firmware/embedded systems development, with at least 5 years in an architectural or technical leadership role
• Proven experience architecting complex, high-performance firmware for complex systems with stringent performance, power, and scalability requirements
• Track record of evaluating system-level requirements and translating them into scalable firmware designs and roadmaps
• Strong background in hardware interfaces and protocols (I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, USB, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.)
• Experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives and influencing, without direct authority, hardware/software co-design across geographically distributed teams and disciplines
• Proficiency in advanced debugging methodologies and diagnostic tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, emulators).
• Demonstrated experience driving system-level tradeoff decisions and setting technical direction at an organizational level
• Minimal travel up to 10%
  
  

Belief in Diversity

Synaptics is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.