Sr. Firmware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Houston, Texas

Position status: Permanent

Exempt Status: Exempt

Company Profile:

CNPC USA is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and serves as the North American headquarters. Our mission is to drive innovation through advanced research and development of next-generation technologies for oil and gas exploration and production.

Job Summary:

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and development of embedded firmware for MWD/LWD downhole tools, with a primary focus on high-speed mud pulse telemetry (MPT) and MWD system integration. This position is a key technical role responsible for end-to-end firmware architecture, real-time signal processing, telemetry encoding and decoding, sensor and measurement integration, power management, and system-level performance across the downhole-to-surface data chain.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing high-speed mud pulser systems and other MWD/LWD products, combined with a strong systems and architecture perspective spanning firmware, electronics, sensors, and telemetry encoding and decoding. This role will drive technology from concept and architecture definition through field deployment and commercialization, and will help establish firmware standards and design practices for the broader downhole product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and own the firmware architecture for MWD/LWD tools — including high-speed mud pulse telemetry — from system requirements through implementation, qualification, and field release.
• Design and optimize high-speed mud pulse telemetry schemes, including pulser generation and control, modulation/encoding, power-efficiency optimization, and surface decoding algorithms.
• Develop, test, and debug embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontroller, microprocessor, or DSP-based downhole measurement and telemetry systems. Architect firmware-to-hardware and firmware-to-sensor interfaces, defining data flow, timing, synchronization, and communication protocols across subsystems.
• Develop signal-processing and noise-mitigation algorithms for telemetry, vibration, and sensor data in harsh, high-noise downhole environments.
• Take a system-level view across firmware, electronics, mechanical, and surface software to ensure end-to-end tool performance, data integrity, and reliability. Work closely with electronics, mechanical, test, operations, and field teams to improve tool reliability and field performance.
• Lead firmware integration, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, performance optimization, verification, qualification, and reliability testing of embedded telemetry systems, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and environmental testing
• Support field deployment and product sustainment by investigating and resolving firmware, telemetry, sensor, and electronics issues to ensure reliable system performance.
• Establish firmware development standards, coding practices, version control, and design documentation for the downhole engineering team.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced firmware and electronics engineers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related discipline; Master’s degree or above is preferred.
• 8+ years of embedded firmware development experience, with demonstrated experience at a lead or principal level.
• Direct, hands-on experience developing high-speed mud pulse telemetry (MWD) systems and other MWD/LWD products.
• Strong system and architecture perspective, with a proven ability to define firmware architecture and interfaces spanning firmware, electronics, sensors, and surface software. Familiar with various electronic communication Bus systems and implementations.
• Expert-level embedded firmware development in C/C++ for MCU, MPU, or DSP-based real-time systems.
• Solid understanding of hardware-software integration, including sensor interfaces, communication interfaces, and timing/synchronization.
• Proficiency with laboratory and debug tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, emulators/debuggers, and automated or HIL test methods.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capability for mixed firmware/hardware systems.

Preferred Experience:

• Deep experience with mud-pulse telemetry (positive, negative, or continuous-wave/siren pulsers), especially, with high-data-rate downhole telemetry.
• Experience with EM telemetry, short-hop, directional drilling tools, downhole sensors, and MWD/LWD measurement systems.
• Strong background in real-time signal processing, digital communications/telemetry, modulation and encoding, and algorithm development.
• Familiarity with high-temperature electronics, shock/vibration survivability, and pressure-compensated or sealed downhole systems.
• Experience defining firmware architecture and standards across a product portfolio.
• Experience with surface decoding software and optimization of the downhole-to-surface data chain.
• Experience with manufacturing test systems, qualification testing, and product commercialization.
• Prior experience supporting both new product development and sustaining engineering for deployed tools.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is a sedentary role; however, some filing, bending, and the ability to lift 20 lbs are required.

Travel:

This position requires some overnight international and domestic travel. Local travel between other CNPC USA locations and testing facilities is required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, it serves as a technical lead, mentor, and point of contact for less-experienced engineers.

CNPC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Disclaimer: The job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.