Firmware Engineering Intern (Optical)

<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> <p> </p>