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- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge software for semiconductor technology using Rust and collaborate on innovative projects.
- Company: Join lowRISC, a non-profit transforming the semiconductor industry through open-source development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, private medical insurance, and a paid sabbatical.
- Other info: Dynamic team based in Cambridge, offering excellent career growth and a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in tech while working with world-leading organisations like Google.
- Qualifications: Proficient in Rust with strong knowledge of systems programming and embedded environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
At lowRISC we believe that open source development can transform the semiconductor industry. To help achieve this vision of production-ready, commercial-grade chips and silicon building blocks, we employ a software team with a wide range of skills. Our software engineers work across the full software stack, from firmware and toolchains that interact directly with hardware to cloud-based infrastructure that tests our products at scale. This includes work in areas such as:
- RISC-V firmware and driver development.
- Software hardening and security tools.
- Embedded operating systems (in Rust and C).
- Compilers, code generators, and linters.
- Simulators and emulators (e.g. QEMU).
- Electronic design automation (EDA) tools.
- Performance and code size analysis.
- Cloud-based infrastructure (e.g. continuous integration pipelines).
lowRISC is a non‑profit Community Interest Company. With a business model that includes member fees and engineering services, we have shown that it is possible to run world‑leading projects collaboratively for everyone’s benefit. Originally a spinout from Cambridge University’s Computer Lab, our UK team is based in Cambridge and our Switzerland team is based in Zurich. Our Ibex CPU and OpenTitan Root of Trust projects have been taken to production silicon, partnering with world‑leading organisations including Google, combining open‑source approaches with best‑practice chip design methodologies.
Requirements
- Highly proficient in Rust programming; deep understanding of fundamental concepts such as the ownership model, lifetimes, concurrency, parallelism, memory management and procedural macros.
- Solid knowledge of the Rust ecosystem, including tools and libraries.
- A high standard of written and spoken English.
Preferred or highly valued
- Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining large‑scale or modular Rust codebases.
- Expert understanding of unsafe Rust, FFI, and low‑level systems programming.
- Strong proficiency in C; familiarity with C++ and Python are a plus.
- Solid understanding of compiler internals; experience with LLVM is a plus.
- Experience with build systems and reproducible tooling (e.g. Bazel, Nix, uv).
- Experience developing for embedded or resource‑constrained environments, including real‑time systems.
- Familiarity with CI/CD for embedded or systems software.
- Strong knowledge of computer architecture; some experience with assembly languages (x86, RISC‑V); familiarity with hardware design is a plus.
- Good knowledge of Linux.
- Experience contributing to open source projects.
- Higher degree levels and academic research experience are highly valued.
Benefits
Salary dependent upon experience. Benefits include a generous employer pension contribution (up to 12.5% subject to an employee contribution via salary sacrifice of 6%), holiday allowance (33 days, pro rata, including public holidays), private medical insurance, group income protection, life insurance and a 4 week paid sabbatical after 4 years of service. The team is based in Cambridge, UK, amongst the Silicon Fen’s ecosystem of high tech start ups. Our office is in the heart of the city and a short walk from the train station.
We do not discriminate against any employee or candidate because of race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Please let us know if you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process. We will be happy to help.
Senior/Principal Rust Engineer employer: Fast Forward
Contact Detail:
Fast Forward Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Rust Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the semiconductor and open-source communities. Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences where you can connect with potential colleagues at lowRISC. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub profile, make sure it’s up to date with your Rust projects. Contributing to open-source projects is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and passion for coding. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your work in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Rust knowledge and problem-solving skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects. We love to hear about how you tackled challenges and what you learned along the way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the lowRISC team. Let’s make some amazing tech together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Rust Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Rust Skills: Make sure to highlight your proficiency in Rust programming. We want to see your deep understanding of concepts like ownership, lifetimes, and concurrency. Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you've applied them in real projects!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for the role. Mention specific experiences that align with our work at lowRISC, especially in areas like embedded systems or open-source contributions. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate a high standard of written English, so make sure your application is clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and ensure your passion for the role shines through without overwhelming us with too much information.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fast Forward
✨Know Your Rust Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Rust programming, especially the ownership model, lifetimes, and concurrency. Brush up on your knowledge of the Rust ecosystem, tools, and libraries, as you'll likely be asked about them during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past projects involving large-scale Rust codebases or any contributions to open source projects. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and expertise.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Low-Level Systems
Since the role involves low-level systems programming, make sure you're comfortable discussing unsafe Rust, FFI, and compiler internals. If you have experience with LLVM or embedded systems, be ready to share relevant examples.
✨Communicate Clearly
As the job requires a high standard of written and spoken English, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to explain complex technical concepts in a way that's easy to understand, as effective communication is key in collaborative environments.