PhD-level embedded/firmware engineer for Google's secure SoC bootROM and driver stack

This is a PhD-entry embedded/firmware role on Google's Embedded/Firmware team, co-designing secure, high-performance SoCs for Google Cloud from ideation to landing. You'll write bootROM and driver code in C/C++, work on secure boot (Confidential Compute, Attestation), and debug across the hardware/software boundary with tools like JTAG and in-circuit emulators.

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What this interview tests

C/C++ firmware development
Device drivers for SoC peripherals (UART, I2C, SPI, memory controllers)
Secure boot: Confidential Compute, Attestation
Low-level hardware debugging (JTAG, emulators, simulators)
Embedded Linux / Linux device drivers (preferred)
BIOS/UEFI/EDK2/Zephyr familiarity (preferred)

Common question themes

Design and debug a driver for a new SoC peripheral from scratch

Explain a secure boot chain and where attestation fits

Root-cause a bug that could be firmware, RTL, or hardware

Trade-offs in bootROM design for a new SoC architecture

Experience with microcontrollers, registers, or RTL/Verilog from coursework or research

How candidates describe it

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