At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop cutting-edge software for semiconductor technology using Rust.
- Company: lowRISC, a non-profit innovating in open-source semiconductor development.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension contributions, 33 days holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic Cambridge-based team with excellent career growth and a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the tech world while working with top-tier organisations like Google.
- Qualifications: Proficient in Rust with strong knowledge of systems programming and embedded environments.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ 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 (such as 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 in Cambridge employer: lowRISC CIC
lowRISC CIC is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of Cambridge. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and engagement in cutting-edge open-source silicon projects. Our hybrid working model ensures flexibility while being part of a passionate team dedicated to advancing technology and making a meaningful impact in the semiconductor industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Rust Engineer in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at lowRISC CIC or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Rust Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at lowRISC CIC.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at lowRISC CIC and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at lowRISC CIC
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If lowRISC CIC uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
