FPGA IP Software Development Engineer

About Altera:
Accelerating Innovators — Altera provides leadership programmable solutions that are easy to use and deploy, across the cloud to the edge, enabling limitless possibilities for AI. Our broad portfolio includes FPGAs, SoCs, CPLDs, IP, development tools, system-on-modules, SmartNICs and IPUs, offering the flexibility to accelerate innovation. 
 
Our innovation in programmable logic began in 1983. Since then we’ve delivered the tools and technologies that empower customers to innovate, differentiate, and succeed in their markets.

Join us on our journey to becoming the world’s #1 FPGA company!
 
About the Role:
We’re looking for a Sr. Software Developer (for Cyber Security IP) who loves solving tough problems at the intersection of cybersecurity, compilers, and high-performance systems. In this role, you’ll architect and build applications that generate executable code for our custom Cyber Security processor engine — the powerhouse behind our next-generation Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). 
 
Your work will dive deep into packet inspection and web application traffic analysis, enabling smarter, faster, and more secure systems. Beyond IDPS, you’ll also tackle challenges like automated data leak prevention and Web API anomaly detection — areas where your creativity and engineering chops can make a real impact. 
 
The successful candidate will bring both depth and breadth in system-level programming, a solid foundation in computer science theory, and hands-on expertise in developing robust, high-performance software. Candidates with additional exposure to networking, security, or compiler technologies will be highly regarded. 
 
Salary Range 
The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.
 
$142,600 - $206,500 USD
 
*We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position.*
 
#LI-MD1

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.

• 8+ years of professional experience in software development, with a proven track record of writing production-quality code

• Strong understanding of software-hardware interfaces and system-level programming 

• Proficiency in C++, C, and Python, with the ability to design, implement, and optimize complex software systems 

• Expertise in Perl Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) processing and optimization for high-performance pattern matching

Preferred Requirements:

• Familiarity with network analysis and intrusion detection tools such as HyperScan, SNORT, Suricata, Wireshark, or tcpdump 

• Experience with compiler generation tools and toolchains such as Clang or GCC 

• Deep understanding of finite automaton theory, including Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA), Non-Deterministic Finite Automaton (NFA), and related graph analysis for implementation and optimization

• Strong debugging, performance tuning, and troubleshooting skills 

• Exposure to networking, security, or compiler technologies