Job Description

About the Role:
The Infrastructure Processing Unit (IPU), also known as a Smart-NIC, is a PCIe-based Network Interface Card that extends traditional NIC capabilities by offloading networking and infrastructure workloads such as packet processing, traffic management, and virtual switching from the host CPU. IPUs are a core building block for next-generation cloud computing and storage and are already deployed at scale across leading data centers.

In this role, you will act as a Firmware Integrator and Developer with a strong focus on integration flows and release management. You will work closely with architecture, firmware, software, and validation teams to ensure firmware stability and readiness on virtual models, enabling early validation and comprehensive testing prior to emulation and silicon availability.

You will own and drive firmware integration and release activities, including enablement on new virtual platform models and producing internal and customer-facing releases. In parallel, you will contribute to firmware and microcode development for Xtensa and ARM microprocessors within a highly collaborative and fast-paced engineering environment.

Your Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate closely with Architecture, Development, and Validation teams to ensure firmware alignment with system requirements.
• Plan, execute, and manage firmware integrations across internal and external teams.
• Prepare, create, and maintain firmware releases for internal consumption and, when required, for external customers.
• Develop, integrate, and sustain high-quality firmware for IPU platforms, emphasizing performance, stability, and scalability.
Identify, debug, and resolve complex firmware and system-level issues across multiple environments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in embedded software development and debugging using C.
• Experience with Linux and RTOS-based development environments.
• Strong experience with source control systems, particularly Git.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience managing firmware integrations and release processes.
• Experience working in Agile / SCRUM development environments.
• Proficiency in Python and/or Bash scripting.
• Experience in firmware development for ARM and Xtensa processors and microcontrollers.
• Familiarity with networking technologies, PCIe, and ARM-based systems.
• Experience with Linux kernel and driver development.

Job Type:

Experienced Hire

Shift:

Shift 1 (Israel)

Primary Location:

Israel, Petah-Tikva

Additional Locations:

Israel, Jerusalem

Business group:

At the Data Center Group (DCG), we're committed to delivering exceptional products and delighting our customers. We offer both broad-market Xeon-based solutions and custom x86-based products, ensuring tailored innovation for diverse needs across general-purpose compute, web services, HPC, and AI-accelerated systems. Our charter encompasses defining business strategy and roadmaps, product management, developing ecosystems and business opportunities, delivering strong financial performance, and reinvigorating x86 leadership. Join us as we transform the data center segment through workload driven leadership products and close collaboration with our partners.

Posting Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Position of Trust

N/A

Work Model for this Role

This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.

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