Optical Communications Software Engineer - Modem Integration

Bright Silicon Technologies | Pleasanton, CA | Full time

Bright Silicon Technologies (BST) develops precision optical systems built around our Light field Directing Array (LDA), a MEMS micromirror array for fast, precise control of light. Our OCTANE free-space optical communications terminal brings together free-space optics, fiber-based photonics, and communications hardware to enable high-bandwidth links between ground and airborne platforms.

We’re looking for a software engineer to own modem integration and communications software for OCTANE. You’ll build the software that configures and monitors our (expected to be a COMET) modem, connects it to the terminal’s data interfaces, and manages link operation and recovery. Working with our photonics, firmware, controls, and hardware engineers, you’ll take a working laboratory system toward reliable outdoor and mobile operation, targeting Space Development Agency (SDA) interoperability.

• Own modem software integration for our free space optical communications terminal. Develop C/C++ software for modem configuration, telemetry, host interfaces, network interface and data transfer.
• Define software interfaces and acceptance criteria, including applicable SDA Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) requirements. Coordinate link states and timing with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) software.
• Implement link state machines, startup and shutdown sequences, fault handling, and recovery after fades or interruptions.
• Build Python tools and automated bench and hardware-in-the-loop tests. Measure throughput, latency, packet loss, and bit error rate to verify link performance.
• Troubleshoot problems across software, embedded interfaces, modem behavior, interfaces with the next level up in the network, and optical performance.

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, and at least three years of modem integration and communications software development experience.
• Strong C/C++ skills and experience developing and debugging software on Linux or real-time embedded platforms.
• Hands‑on experience integrating communications hardware and debugging hardware/software interfaces using logs, telemetry, protocol captures, and laboratory measurements.
• Experience using Python or a similar language for test automation and data analysis, with working knowledge of communications performance measurements.
• U.S. citizenship.

• Experience with SDA OCT standards, compliant optical terminals, or modem and terminal interoperability testing.
• Experience with COMET or other optical communications modems, including configuration, telemetry, and host integration.
• Experience with free-space or fiber-optic communications, including optical link budgets, receiver sensitivity, and the effects of changing received power.
• Familiarity with communications or modem DSP, including modulation, synchronization, framing, forward error correction, or equalization.
• Experience integrating software with FPGA-based systems, including register interfaces and data paths.
• Experience validating link state machines and fault recovery through hardware-in-the-loop testing or field demonstrations on mobile platforms.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At BST we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job…