Firmware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Firmware Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, and validating bare-metal firmware for microcontroller-based product platforms that power real-world applications used in everyday life. You will help define new software platform architectures, ensure compliance with relevant functional safety and software standards, and contribute to robust, fail-safe designs through rigorous analysis and testing. The position offers the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work in production products while working with a supportive leader who is committed to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in the development and specification of new product software platform architectures for microcontroller-based systems.
• Develop product software primarily in C for bare-metal microcontroller platforms, ensuring reliability, performance, and maintainability.
• Gain and maintain a strong understanding of software design-related agency standards relevant to the business, including IEC standards for functional safety of electronic safety-related systems, UL standards for software in programmable components, and EN 230/298 for automatic burner control systems, and apply their requirements to system and functional design.
• Design, simulate, implement, and debug advanced control and signal processing algorithms for embedded applications.
• Use software tools such as compilers, linkers, debuggers, in-circuit emulators, JTAG emulators, bug-tracking systems, and source-code control and build systems to develop, debug, and maintain firmware.
• Utilize hardware tools such as oscilloscopes, digital voltmeters (DVMs), signal generators, signal analyzers, and LabView or similar software to support development, testing, and debugging activities.
• Plan firmware and system designs to support agency approval, platform reuse, testability, and manufacturability, integrating these considerations early in the design process.
• Perform root-cause analysis on failed products and subsystems to identify issues, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Test, debug, and characterize subsystems and full systems, ensuring they meet functional, performance, and safety requirements.
• Develop and debug interrupt handlers and device drivers for embedded microcontrollers, ensuring deterministic and robust behavior.
• Implement and support communication protocols such as Modbus, SPI, I2C, RS-232, and RS-485 within embedded systems.
• Apply fail-safe design principles and perform software Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to enhance functional safety and reliability.
• Leverage software analysis tools to evaluate code quality, performance, and safety-related aspects of firmware.
• Periodically perform repetitive movements associated with hands-on hardware and firmware development tasks.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing bare-metal firmware for microcontroller-based systems.
• 3+ years of experience writing and debugging interrupt handlers and device drivers.
• 3+ years of experience testing, debugging, and characterizing subsystems and complete systems.
• 2+ years of experience working with communication protocols such as Modbus, SPI, I2C, RS-232, and RS-485.
• Strong proficiency in C for embedded, bare-metal firmware development.
• Hands-on experience with embedded microcontroller development using ARM, Silicon Labs, ST, or similar platforms.
• Experience with fail-safe design concepts and their application in embedded systems.
• Experience performing software FMEA to identify and mitigate potential failure modes.
• Proficiency with software tools including compilers, linkers, debuggers, in-circuit emulators, JTAG emulators, bug-tracking systems, and source-code control/build systems.
• Experience using communication interfaces and protocols such as Modbus, SPI, I2C, RS-232, and RS-485 in embedded applications.
• Experience working within or supporting compliance to functional safety and software-related standards such as IEC functional safety standards, UL software standards, and EN 230/298.
• Ability to perform thorough root-cause analysis on failed products and systems.
• Capability to design, simulate, and debug control and signal processing algorithms for embedded systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with ARM, Silicon Labs, and ST microcontroller ecosystems and associated development environments.
• Familiarity with functional safety concepts and standards related to electronic safety-related systems.
• Experience with software analysis tools for code quality, performance, or safety assessment.
• Experience developing device drivers and low-level hardware abstraction layers for embedded platforms.
• Exposure to real-time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded environments.
• Experience using JTAG-based debugging and in-circuit emulation tools for low-level troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of Modbus and other industrial communication protocols in control applications.
• Experience with LabView or similar tools for test automation, measurement, and analysis.
• Ability to plan designs with a focus on agency approval, platform reuse, testability, and manufacturability.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a methodical approach to debugging and validation.
• Interest in working on products that are used in everyday life and in seeing the tangible impact of your engineering work.
• Motivation to grow under a manager who focuses on team development and professional growth.

Work Environment

This position is primarily onsite, with some flexibility to work remotely when needed. You will work in a hands-on engineering environment that combines firmware development with close interaction with hardware, including microcontroller-based platforms and electronic test equipment. The role involves regular use of tools such as oscilloscopes, digital voltmeters, signal generators and analyzers, JTAG interfaces, in-circuit emulators, and software platforms like LabView, along with standard embedded development toolchains. The setting supports collaboration with other engineers and offers the opportunity to see products move from concept through development into real-world use.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Derry, NH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $150000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Derry,NH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.