Firmware Engineer Intern (SCO1)

Role Overview

Join the Firmware Engineering team behind Scorpio 1, Astera Labs' first-generation scale-up fabric switch that sits at the heart of AI data center racks. As a Firmware Engineer Intern (SCO1), you'll work alongside the Compute Connectivity Engineering team to build and debug the embedded firmware that brings this silicon to life - from register-level device configuration through customer-facing diagnostics. This is hands-on work: the firmware you touch controls real link training, calibration, and PCIe behavior on hardware that ships to hyperscale customers.

Astera Labs interns don't just observe - they contribute to real projects that ship, working side-by-side with senior firmware engineers and getting exposure to the full path from bring-up to production support.

Key Responsibilities

• Write and debug embedded C/C++ firmware for the Scorpio 1 switch ASIC, including register configuration, state machines, and control-loop logic
• Support link training, SERDES configuration, and PCIe protocol-level debug alongside senior firmware engineers
• Contribute to calibration and diagnostics routines used during silicon bring-up and system validation
• Write Python scripts to automate test flows, parse hardware/debug logs, and analyze data from the lab
• Work with the system validation team to triage failures, reproduce issues, and help drive fixes into the firmware codebase
• Use lab tools (JTAG, trace logs, serial/debug consoles) to isolate and resolve firmware/hardware issues on real boards
• Keep work tracked in Jira, participate in code reviews, and communicate findings clearly to the team

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Proficiency in C (preferred) or C++, including development of firmware
• Proficient in Python for scripting
• Experience with developer workflows, source control (preferably git), code reviews, and CI
• Experience developing firmware that executes on on-chip microcontrollers
• Experience debugging firmware/hardware issues using JTAG, trace logs, or other lab tools
• Professional attitude with the ability to formulate theories and well-thought-out questions to help debug and develop complex systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed one or more courses in Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), or hands-on RTOS use during a prior internship/co-op or project
• Knowledge of testing tools such as PyTest or GoogleTest
• Familiarity with software build environments, CI/CD, and gcc/make
• Experience with lab hardware/firmware debug (oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers)
• Experience developing firmware for PCIe, CXL, or Ethernet
• Prior internship or co-op experience in a semiconductor or networking hardware company

Pay and benefits

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, ranging from $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.