Principal Firmware Engineer

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What you'll be doing...We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer to architect, drive, and optimize the firmware lifecycle for our next-generation networking devices. In this senior role, you will tackle our most complex technical challenges across Wi-Fi routers, gateways, and access points. From writing robust C/C++ code to leading deep packet analysis and system triage, you will set the technical standard for the team.

If you are a seasoned expert in embedded Linux environments and wireless networking protocols, we want you to help shape our core technology.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Firmware Architecture & Development:
Architect, develop, and optimize high-performance firmware applications using C and modern C++ (C++11/14) in embedded Linux environments.

Advanced Network & Packet Analysis:
Lead deep packet inspection and network traffic analysis using Wireshark, tcpdump, and wireless sniffers to resolve the most difficult connectivity dropouts, protocol anomalies, and latency issues.

System Triage & Complex Debugging:
Drive the diagnosis of critical system issues via shell terminals (SSH, serial). Extract and analyze log bundles, investigate complex kernel/application-layer crashes, and isolate root causes that evade standard debugging.

Wireless & Gateway Validation:
Oversee the rigorous validation of end-to-end Wi-Fi performance across all bands (2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz). Ensure bulletproof stability for band/AP steering, mesh networking, and core router features (DHCP, NAT, Firewall, QoS, and Parental Controls).Defect Resolution & Reporting:
Set the standard for engineering documentation. Produce highly detailed bug reports with reproducible steps, system state observations, log files, and packet captures (.pcap) to accelerate cross-functional resolution.

Test Automation & Tooling:
Design and maintain robust Python and shell scripting frameworks to automate complex test cases, streamline log collection, and execute large-scale soak testing routines.

What we're looking for...You'll need to have:

Bachelor’s degree or four or more years of work experience.

Six or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

Wi-Fi Domain Expertise:
Comprehensive understanding of IEEE 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), wireless security protocols (WPA2/WPA3), WPS, and the physical/MAC layer mechanisms behind common RF performance bottlenecks.

Hands-on

Experience:

firmware or software development experience in networking and embedded systems, with deep, specialized expertise in Wi-Fi routers, gateways, or access points.

Experience in open-source router operating systems (Open Wrt, prplOS, RDK-B) or proprietary vendor-specific router SDKs (e.g., Qualcomm, Broadcom, Media Tek).Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

Programming:
Master-level expertise writing production-quality code in C and C++ (C++11/14).Linux Proficiency:
Deep command of Linux/Unix terminal…