Firmware Engineer

Job Title: Firmware Engineer Job Description We are seeking a hands-on Firmware Engineer to develop low-level embedded software and firmware for advanced aerospace and spaceflight systems. This role focuses on firmware architecture, microcontroller development, board bring-up, hardware integration, and real-time embedded applications that support mission-critical electronics. You will work close to the hardware, developing bare-metal and RTOS-based firmware for embedded processors, sensors, communication subsystems, and custom electronics. In this highly collaborative, onsite engineering position, you will partner with electrical, FPGA, systems, and integration engineers throughout the entire product lifecycle-from concept and prototype development through spacecraft integration, test, launch, and mission operations-contributing to the development of next-generation space and defense technologies. Responsibilities Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware for microcontroller- and SoC-based systems used in aerospace and spaceflight applications. Create low-level drivers and middleware that support sensors, actuators, communication devices, and custom hardware platforms. Develop firmware using C, Embedded C, and modern C++ in resource-constrained environments, ensuring efficient and reliable operation. Perform board bring-up activities including power validation, boot sequence development, peripheral initialization, and hardware verification on custom hardware. Interface directly with electrical engineering teams to debug and resolve hardware-firmware interactions and system-level issues. Develop and optimize firmware for real-time performance, reliability, and fault tolerance in mission-critical systems. Implement and support communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, and RS-422/485 for embedded platforms. Support processor and FPGA integration through memory-mapped interfaces, DMA engines, and high-speed communication channels. Develop firmware that supports environmental testing, system integration, and qualification activities for aerospace and defense environments. Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and protocol analyzers to troubleshoot and diagnose complex system behaviors. Participate in firmware architecture reviews, code reviews, and design reviews, contributing to robust technical solutions and best practices. Support manufacturing, integration, and test teams during system bring-up, validation, and deployment of embedded electronics. Contribute to requirements development, verification plans, and technical documentation for firmware and embedded systems. Maintain compliance with applicable quality standards, configuration management practices, and software development processes throughout the product lifecycle. Essential Skills 3+ years of professional firmware development experience in embedded systems. Strong proficiency in Embedded C and C++ for low-level and real-time applications. Hands-on experience developing firmware for ARM Cortex-M, STM32, NXP, TI, Microchip, or similar microcontroller families. Experience creating low-level peripheral drivers for SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, GPIO, ADC/DAC, and Timers/PWM. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers. Ability to read and interpret schematics, datasheets, reference manuals, and interface specifications. Experience using Git and modern source-control practices in collaborative engineering environments. Knowledge of embedded software development workflows including cross-compilation, debugging, and automated builds. Experience supporting board-level hardware validation and bring-up activities on custom hardware. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline. Experience with RTOS-based development (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX, or similar real-time operating systems). Exposure to FPGA or SoC integration concepts including AXI interfaces, memory-mapped registers, DDR memory, DMA engines, and IP cores. Knowledge of embedded Linux concepts, including driver-level or userspace development. Experience with communication interfaces such as Ethernet, LVDS, MIPI, and PCIe in embedded contexts. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with Linux kernel driver development, including platform drivers, interrupts, DMA, and kernel modules. Familiarity with embedded Linux build systems such as Yocto or Buildroot for creating custom distributions. Hands-on experience with board bring-up on custom hardware platforms from initial power-on through full system validation. Experience interfacing with FPGA-based systems, including integration of processors and programmable logic. Exposure to SoC platforms such as Xilinx Zynq, PolarFire SoC, or similar system-on-chip architectures. Familiarity with high-speed interfaces including Ethernet, LVDS, MIPI, and PCIe for data-intensive applications. Experience working in aerospace, defense, or other hardware-constrained environments with rigorous reliability requirements. Background in hardware validation, system integration, and troubleshooting complex embedded systems. Microcontroller firmware development experience beyond standard applications, including bare-metal and driver-level software. Experience with Linux kernel or userspace driver work for custom hardware devices. Board bring-up experience across multiple platforms, including power sequencing, bootloader configuration, and peripheral setup. Exposure to FPGA or SoC interface design, including AXI buses and custom IP integration. RTOS experience across one or more platforms such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX, or similar environments. Strong skills in low-level hardware debugging and root-cause analysis using a variety of test and measurement tools. Work Environment This is a highly collaborative, onsite engineering role within a hardware-focused environment developing next-generation space and defense technologies. You will work closely with electrical, FPGA, systems, and integration engineers in lab and integration areas that include oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and protocol analyzers, as well as custom boards and test setups for aerospace and spaceflight systems. The work centers on embedded Linux, microcontrollers, RTOS-based systems, FPGA and SoC platforms, and high-speed communication interfaces, with a strong emphasis on real-time performance and reliability. The environment is fast-paced and technically challenging, with opportunities to contribute from early concept and prototype stages through spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch, and mission operations. Onsite collaboration, hands-on hardware interaction, and adherence to established quality and configuration management processes are integral parts of the daily work experience. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Merritt Island, FL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $55.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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 Merritt Island,FL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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 click.appcast.io 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. Actalent