Senior Firmware Engineer

Job Title

Senior Firmware Engineer

Location

Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary)

Job Description

Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers. We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in Fibertek's spaced-based, electro-optical systems.


Essential Job Duties

• Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based electro-optical payloads and laser systems
• Perform end-to-end firmware development lifecycle: from requirements analysis through design, coding, simulation, verification, and validation
• Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, software, and optical engineers in cross-functional teams to define interfaces, resolve design issues, and ensure seamless system integration
• Participate in task-based iterative development cycles, incorporating rapid feedback, frequent integration points, and incremental testing to meet mission reliability goals
• Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using diagnostic tools and protocols
• Support peer code reviews, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of development processes and best practices
• Apply high-reliability and space-grade techniques (e.g., fault tolerance, radiation mitigation) in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and risk identification throughout the product lifecycle

Job Requirements

Experience and Expertise Required

• 7+ years relevant experience
• BS/MS in EE or equivalent
• Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing)
• Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR
• Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools
• Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance
• Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases
• Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design
• Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire
• Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc.
• Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc.
• Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging

Bonus Areas

• Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis
• Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation
• Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding
• Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers
• Experience with VS Code

Salary Range: The annual base salary range for this position is $140,000-$210,000. This range reflects the compensation Fibertek reasonably expects to offer for this role. Placement within the range will depend on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's experience, education and training, key skills, and relevant market and business considerations.

Benefits offered: The company provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability, life insurance, and AD&D; a 401(k) plan with a company match and immediate vesting; Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts; an Employee Assistance Program; education assistance; paid time off and holidays; flexible work schedules; and a 9/8/80 alternate workweek option.

FIBERTEK, Inc. is a recognized leader in advanced lasers, lidars and laser communication systems providing our DoD, NASA and aerospace customers discriminating capabilities. We pride ourselves in our innovation and customer success focused culture enabled by a creative and relaxed work environment. Fibertek fosters a progressive learning environment that values inspiration, promotes professional challenge and encourages personal growth. We offer a competitive and incentivized compensation package with excellent benefits.


Fibertek, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual merit, skills, and experience. Fibertek does not engage in nor permits any discrimination in the workplace.