Moving from ASIC to SW
I’ve been working in hardware/software for ASIC for 5 years, in the startup realm. My time is split between writing C++ for drivers and performance models and Verilog for chip design. Graduated from a top 5 CS/EE school. I enjoy the C++ a lot more, and want to move into a pure software role but am having trouble getting interviews. Any tips? Thanks in advance.
Funny story : my current role was supposed to be 100% software, but that didn’t happen once I started because of “resource constraints”. Large company might be a better idea, their roles are more siloed, versus the startup “do whatever you are asked to do “ mentality.
Perhaps your resume is just nonstandard enough to fail to pass the first mechanical recruitment filters? The problems I've seen with people with your profile is no experience with large, complex userland projects. Even the definitions of complexity may sometimes be completely different between the two worlds. It's fairly different set of skills to architect(I'm assuming you're shooting for a senior role) pure software compared to writing drivers. Its possible and I think even normal to be very senior in one and, without realizing it, relatively junior in the other. Make sure to spend some time figuring out how to communicate your unique skills and talents and years of experience and how it can benefit your employer of choice, even though it may not fit their cookie cutter interview process. It may mean skipping the junior recruiters and going mainly for personal referrals, for example.
Go for embedded positions. They'll love your background
Thanks for the suggestion. That’s something I’d be interested in, I think.
Or deep kernel level programming
What are some good companies to get into that? I assume FANG have groups dedicated to that. I’m financially secure and don’t mind taking a pay cut or level cut to make a switch in career.
It’s pretty hard to say why you’re not seeing interviews without seeing your resume but I’ve found that having a relatively pretty resume can make a huge difference on the SW side compared the resumes I’ve seen from Hardware people. No clue why that appears to be the case. Seems dumb but idk
Have you tried applying to roles closer to what you’re currently doing at larger companies then transferring ladders/roles?
Is it worth changing my title on the resume? Currently it says “hardware engineer” because that’s my internal title, although I work on low level software most of the time.