Firmware Manager

Firmware Manager | 460528
DETAILS
Location
: Plano, TX onsite 5-days per week)

Position Type
: Direct-Hire

Hourly / Salary
: to $150K + bonus structure

JOB SUMMARY
Vaco Technology is currently seeking a Firmware Manager for a Direct-Hire opportunity that is located in Plano, TX onsite 5-days per week). The Firmware Manager will anchor a hardware-accelerated network visibility and security platform by leading a top-tier team to develop the full firmware stack (bootloaders / controllers / FPGAs / ASICs) for 25G-400G packet processing, threat detection, and traffic optimization. The Firmware Manager will direct the end-to-end lifecycle from silicon bring-up to production. The Firmware Manager will deliver robust, secure, scalable code that meets stringent performance targets. The Firmware Manager will shape the multi-generational switch strategy for seamless integration with enterprise security tools and real-time analytics. The Firmware Manager will drive cross-functional alignment with hardware, validation, software, and manufacturing teams to solve system-level challenges and accelerate market delivery. The Firmware Manager will build a culture of excellence through mentorship and talent acquisition in high-stakes, data-intensive environments. By transforming raw traffic into actionable intelligence, the Firmware Manager will create differentiated, future-proof solutions for complex hybrid and AI-driven infrastructures. The Firmware Manager must possess expertise in embedded systems, high-speed networking, and leadership as it is critical to driving platform evolution and market dominance.

• Team Leadership / Talent Development
• Leading and mentoring firmware engineers while fostering a culture of excellence and results.
• Ensuring the firmware team drives product quality, attracting talent to innovate on next-gen visibility tools that reduce blind spots, enhance threat detection, and is core to the 24/7 network protection ethos.
• Technical Strategy for High-Speed Network Solutions
• Guiding strategy for 25G / 40G / 100G / 400G network switch solutions from concept to production.
• Ensuring firmware is designed for ultra-high-bandwidth environments in data centers and hybrid clouds, evolving to support faster, more scalable architectures, aligning with the emphasis on modular, investment-protecting hardware that integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure for optimized security tool performance.
• End-to-End Firmware Lifecycle Management
• Overseeing requirements, design, implementation, testing, integration, validation, and release processes to meet hardware/software milestones.
• Ensuring timely, high-quality updates that enable features (DPI / traffic replication / filtering), key to delivering 100% network visibility without downtime, directly supporting compliance and performance guarantees.
• Silicon Bring-Up / Debugging Expertise
• Leading silicon bring-up, debugging, and collaboration with hardware / validation teams.
• Accelerating product readiness, minimizing risks in bring-up phases, and ensuring robust firmware that powers secure, high-performance monitoring (relying on custom silicon for efficient, low-latency processing of network packets), essential for safeguarding critical infrastructures against breaches.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration / System Integration
• Partnering with validation, PCB design, hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to define test plans and address system challenges.
• Bridging firmware with broader engineering efforts, ensuring cohesive products that provide actionable insights via software interfaces (IntelliView, etc.) while maintaining version control for validated builds-vital for scalable, customizable deployments.
• Project / Resource Management
• Balancing priorities, deadlines, and resources across concurrent projects.
• Effectively supporting Agile delivery of firmware updates, aligning with modular chassis systems and automated alerts to meet diverse enterprise needs without compromising security or uptime (customer-base spanning 40+ countries with multiple integrations / custom configurations).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Firmware Manager (5+ years) - Leading Full Firmware Stack Development Teams in Packet Processing / Threat Detection / Traffic Optimization, etc.
• Firmware Product Development (9+ years / hands-on) - Ethernet Switching / Routing Products
• Software Development (hands-on) - C/C++ / Rust / Assembly within Embedded Environments
• Multi-Thread Computing (strong understanding) - Design / Debug Firmware Running on Multiple Concurrent Threads | Real-Time Performance in Switches (Tasks Executing Simultaneously) without Blocking Critical Traffic
• Inter-Chassis Communication (strong understanding) - Expertise in Protocol / Mechanisms (MLAG / Stacking Protocols / High-Speed Serial Links) | Ensuring Seamless Failover / Load Balancing / Unified Management Across Distributed Hardware
• High-Availability Techniques (strong understanding) - Redundancy / Failover / Hitless Upgrades / State Synchronization / Graceful Degradation Methods to Achieve Five-Nines %)
• Microcontrollers / Microprocessors (hands-on) - Programming / Optimizing Firmware for Embedded CPUs (ARM Cortex-M / NXP / Broadcom SOCs) that Control Switching ASICs / Manage Boot Sequences / Run RTOS or Linux-Based Control Planes
• Database Concepts (understanding) - Embedded Data Storage / Schema Design / Indexing / Query Efficiency for Storing Configuration States / Traffic Statistics / Flow Records / Security Event Logs within the Switch | Supporting Historical Analytics / Compliance Reporting / Configuration Rollback
• Hands-on Experience (with 2+) - Inter-Process / Inter-Chassis Comm (TIPC) / Data & Configuration Management (SQL) / Control & Management APIs (REST / HTTPS / WebSockets) / Security & Secure Access (TLS / SSL / SSH) / Hardware Design & Signal Integrity (Cadence / OrCAD)
• Technical Domain (familiarity / understanding) - Networking Concepts (IPs / VLANs / 100G Port, etc.) / Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Encryption / Secure Logins, etc.) / Enterprise-Level Data Center Technologies (24x7 / Highly Transactional / Massive Traffic)

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.