Firmware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, debugging, testing, and implementing embedded software and systems for aerospace products, as part of a multi-disciplinary, high-performing engineering team. The Embedded Software Engineer develops highly reliable software and firmware in C and C++ for microcontroller-based and embedded Linux platforms, collaborates closely with hardware engineers, and supports testing, deployment, and updates of mission-critical systems. This is a 100% onsite position based in Cape Canaveral, working within an engineering environment that emphasizes quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software and firmware using C, C++, Embedded C, and other relevant programming languages.
• Develop and integrate software that interfaces with common embedded communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, USB, UART, CAN, GPIO, and other serial interfaces.
• Utilize version control systems, simulation tools, debugging utilities, and other development tools to support robust and maintainable software delivery.
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to define system requirements, support board bring-up, and ensure seamless integration between hardware and software.
• Provide engineering support for testing, deployment, and software updates, including troubleshooting and resolving issues at the system and register level.
• Develop highly reliable software solutions that meet the needs of the Engineering Team and support mission objectives.
• Participate in architecture and design discussions, and contribute to code reviews to ensure code quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.
• Adhere to all Quality Management Systems standards, processes, and procedures throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Interpret and apply information from datasheets, reference manuals, and schematics to implement and debug device drivers and low-level software.
• Support board bring-up by validating power, clocks, peripherals, and boot stages on new hardware platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams using tools such as Git and JIRA to manage tasks, track issues, and maintain project documentation.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Linux-based embedded systems, including firmware images, kernel configuration, and user-space drivers.
• Use test harnesses and participate in bring-up and qualification workflows for new hardware platforms.
• Maintain a collaborative and respectful team culture by treating all team members with dignity and supporting open communication.
• Perform other engineering-related duties as assigned to support team and organizational goals.

Essential Skills

• 3 or more years of experience in embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems, including modern embedded development practices such as cross-compilation, toolchains, JTAG/SWD debugging, version control, and code review.
• Hands-on experience developing firmware for microcontrollers such as STM32, NXP, TI, or Microchip families.
• Demonstrated experience writing bare-metal device drivers for interfaces including I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and GPIO.
• Experience working with Linux at the systems level, including userspace driver development against /dev, /proc, character devices, and standard kernel APIs.
• Ability to read and interpret datasheets, reference manuals, and schematics, and to debug issues at the register level.
• Experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and bus sniffers for debugging embedded systems.
• Board bring-up experience, including validating power, clocks, peripherals, and boot stages on new hardware.
• Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools, including Git and JIRA, with a demonstrated understanding of their use in software development workflows.
• Knowledge of embedded Linux software development, including firmware image creation, Linux kernel configuration, modules, and user-space driver development.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for building, testing, and deploying embedded software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Linux kernel driver development, including platform drivers, multi-function devices (MFD), interrupt (IRQ) handling, and DMA.
• Real-time operating system (RTOS) experience with platforms such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX, or similar, including task scheduling, IPC primitives, and ISR design.
• FPGA development experience using Verilog or VHDL, including HDL simulation and timing closure, or experience writing software that interfaces with FPGAs over PCIe, AXI, or memory-mapped registers.
• Experience with system-on-chips (SoCs) that combine FPGA fabric and a hard processor subsystem, such as Xilinx Zynq / Zynq UltraScale+, Microchip PolarFire SoC, or Intel Agilex SoC, including AXI interconnect partitioning, shared-memory schemes, and host–fabric DMA.
• Familiarity with build systems for embedded Linux such as Yocto or Buildroot.
• Exposure to higher-speed serial interfaces such as LVDS, MIPI, and Ethernet, including understanding of timing and signal integrity considerations.
• Experience writing test harnesses and contributing to bring-up and qualification workflows for new hardware platforms.
• Experience with RTOS, FPGA, and embedded Linux environments, including working with firmware images and real-time constraints.

Work Environment

This role is based 100% onsite in Cape Canaveral and operates within a hands-on engineering lab and office environment. You will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team of software and hardware engineers using modern embedded development toolchains, version control systems, and collaboration platforms such as Git, JIRA, and Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams). The work involves frequent interaction with embedded Linux platforms, microcontroller development boards, and FPGA-based systems, as well as regular use of lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and bus sniffers for board bring-up and debugging. The environment emphasizes adherence to Quality Management Systems, structured development processes, and a collaborative culture where team members treat each other with respect and maintain open communication. Work hours follow a standard onsite engineering schedule, with the expectation of being physically present to support hardware integration, testing, and cross-functional collaboration.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Merritt Island, FL.

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $55.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Merritt Island,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 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 View email address on ziprecruiter.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.