Embedded Systems Engineer II

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nThis position requires that you must be a US Citizen for consideration and meet all Federal Contractor employee requirements. Nomad GCS does not support the H1B Visa for this position.\n\nNomad GCS is currently seeking a Level II Embedded Systems Engineer. Please note the Level II Expectation in red below.\n\nThis position requires onsite training at our Columbia Falls, Montana facility, beginning on hire date. Length of time for training is at the discretion of the Embedded Systems Engineering Manager.\n\nPosition: Embedded Systems Engineer IIDivision: Innovative Solutions GroupDepartment: Embedded Systems & Human Factors Engineering Status: Full-time\n\nOverview: Nomad Global Communication Solutions (Nomad GCS) is a leading provider of communication and response products serving a wide range of customers. Our purpose is to be the solution when every minute matters. We are seeking Embedded Systems Engineers to help design, develop, and support the embedded hardware systems for Nomad Total Command™ (NTC) and other systems integrated into Nomad products.\n\nEmbedded Systems Engineers at Nomad GCS are responsible for the design, development, integration, testing, and lifecycle support of embedded hardware and firmware used within Nomad Total Command™ (NTC), as well as support of embedded systems across all Nomad products and platforms. This includes microcontrollers, embedded processors, sensors, control modules, communication interfaces, and operator control systems that enable deterministic control, automation, monitoring, and safe operation of capabilities across Nomad platforms.\n\nDepending on level (I–V), Engineers progress from learning foundational engineering practices and supporting designs to independently leading complex system architectures, mentoring others, and driving technical strategy across the organization.\n\nThis position requires strong hands-on engineering capability combined with system-level thinking, enabling the engineer to diagnose complex system interactions, guide technical decisions, and improve the robustness and performance of embedded systems deployed in demanding environments.\n\nCareer Growth: Embedded Systems Engineers at Nomad GCS progress through five levels based on demonstrated technical mastery, independence, leadership, and impact. Advancement is supported through mentorship, ownership of embedded subsystems, and alignment with Nomad’s Core Values.\n\nOrganizational Structure: Engineering is organized into Teams and Disciplines within the Innovative Solutions Division.\n\nTeams:\no Team 1 – Standards and Modularity: Builds and maintains engineering standards, modules, templates, and rules enabling repeatability and scale.\no Team 2 – Design: Executes project-level engineering using established standards and less complex custom configurations.\no Team 3 – Advanced: Develops novel systems and resolves first-of-kind engineering challenges.\no Team 4 – Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering: Ensures manufacturability, safety, engineering intent, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout Production.\n\nDisciplines:\no Mechanical Engineering\no Electrical Engineering\no IT Engineering\no Human Factors Engineering\no Embedded Systems Engineering (where this role is located)\no Software Engineering\n \nAn Embedded Systems Engineer may be temporarily assigned to one or more of the four Teams and support Standards and Modularity, Design Engineering, Advanced Engineering, and/or Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering.\n\nCore Responsibilities – All Levels:\n\nDesign, develop, and support embedded hardware and firmware used within Nomad Total Command (NTC) and other Nomad platforms.\nDevelop firmware and control logic using C/C++ for microcontrollers and embedded processors supporting modules and control interfaces.\nWrite logic that bridges embedded hardware with NTC software using C/C++ and other languages.\nSpecify/test new embedded computers, network switches, and other hardware for NTC or other Nomad platforms.\nIntegrate sensors, actuators, networking interfaces, and operator control systems used by the NTC platform.\nDesign and troubleshoot embedded systems using CAN, SPI, I²C, UART, Ethernet, and related protocols used within various communication networks.\nEnsure systems exhibit deterministic and predictable behavior, particularly in real-time or near real-time environments.\nReview, edit, or write JSON based configuration files.\nImplement error logging, as well as frequent “health checks” and hardware status updates.\nDrive improvements in reliability through testing, diagnostics, and design iteration.\nDiagnose complex interactions between hardware, firmware, networking, and electrical systems.\nWork within Linux-based environments, including containerized environments (Docker).\nFlash embedded firmware for micro-controlled hardware and sensors.\nWrite control logic & software for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s).\nParticipate in efforts to automate and continuously improve NTC hardware configuration.\nAttend meetings regarding upcoming builds, take meaningful notes, and actively participate:\n\nProposal Reviews;\nSales/Project Management Kickoffs;\nSPN reviews, Initial Design Reviews (IDR), and Executive Design Reviews (EDR); and\nActively participate in Executive Reviews and document any findings.\n\nConfigure, or aid in configuring NTC hardware for production projects, ensuring configuration is accurate and aligns with customer requirements and intended system operation.\nAssist production team(s) with troubleshooting NTC issues.\nDesign or assist in designing printed circuit boards (PCB’s)\nParticipate in design reviews, testing, validation, and root cause analysis of embedded hardware and control behavior.\nWork closely with Software Engineering to define hardware abstraction layers (HAL’s) and other methods to translate software commands into hardware actions.\nAssist software in defining how hardware data/control should be presented in the NTC frontend.\nDevelop and improve embedded systems with the goal that hardware control logic is independent of NTC software functionality.\nDesign systems with strong emphasis on fault tolerance, redundancy, and predictable failure behavior.\nAssist field and production teams in resolving challenging system-level issues.\nPrototype and test next-generation capabilities including, but not limited to:\n\nAutomation systems\nAdvanced sensor integration\nAI-assisted monitoring\nAutonomous subsystems\nVehicle information system integration (CAN)\nSelf-deployment capabilities (SLAM, Sensor-Fusion, Computer Vision etc.)\nEdge machine learning\nPredictive maintenance capabilities\nSubsystem data acquisition for local inference.\n\nIdentify opportunities to improve operational awareness, system automation, and reliability.\nCollaborate cross-functionally with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, IT Integration, Human Factors Engineering, Software Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program Management teams to ensure embedded systems integrate cleanly with platform subsystems.\nApply continuous improvement principles to improve reliability, determinism, manufacturability, and maintainability of embedded hardware.\nProduce clear technical documentation including:\n\nEngineering notes\nTroubleshooting guides\nTest procedures\nTechnical design documentation\nSystem changes, firmware updates, and hardware improvements.\n\nTranslate operational feedback into engineering improvements.\nUphold and model Nomad Core Values in all work.\nPerform additional duties as assigned.\n\nLevel Expectations:\nEmbedded Systems Engineer l – Entry / Developing\n\nSupport senior engineers with firmware development tasks and documentation related to NTC embedded modules.\nAssist with embedded development using C/C++ and microcontroller platforms used within NTC and other Nomad platforms.\nParticipate in prototype builds, testing, and debugging activities for embedded hardware.\nLearn Nomad embedded standards, communication protocols, and NTC configuration processes.\nGain familiarity with CAN, SPI, I²C, UART, and Ethernet communication used within embedded hardware networks.\nAssist with basic or semi-complex engineering projects.\nWork under close supervision while building technical competence.\n0–2 years embedded systems or related engineering experience.\n\nProgression signal: Learns quickly, reduces rework, completes tasks correctly on the first pass with attention to detail. Continuously takes ownership of assigned tasks and takes initiative. Communicates effectively and professionally with relevant stakeholders.\n\nEmbedded Systems Engineer ll – Independent Contributor\n\nIndependently develop firmware for embedded subsystems and control modules.\nImplement control logic, state machines, and communication interfaces supporting NTC functionality.\nCreate production-ready embedded code and configuration for NTC hardware.\nParticipate in NTC hardware bring-up, integration, and troubleshooting.\nSupport manufacturing troubleshooting and resolve moderate NTC system issues.\nParticipate actively in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration with supporting disciplines.\nParticipate in advanced engineering projects requiring new features or complex logic.\n2–5 years embedded systems engineering experience.\n\nProgression signal: Can be trusted to deliver correct and quality embedded solutions under minimal supervision. Takes full ownership of projects and remains composed under pressure. Trusted to lead tasks assigned to them including leading design reviews, mentoring others, and taking initiative to continuously improve quality of work.\n \nEmbedded Systems Engineer lll – Advanced / System-Level\n\nLead embedded design for major subsystems or platform-level control modules.\nArchitect deterministic control logic and embedded communications supporting system behavior.\nTroubleshoot complex NTC system failures and lead root cause analysis.\nMentor Embedded Systems Engineer I–II team members on NTC architecture and embedded development practices.\nParticipate in advanced engineering efforts for novel features.\nOptimize embedded designs for reliability, serviceability, and performance.\nDemonstrate ownership of NTC subsystem behavior and embedded control logic.\n5–8 years embedded systems engineering experience.\n\nProgression signal: Deep understanding of embedded systems. Follows best practices in firmware, embedded architecture, and continuously raises the technical bar for the team. Ensures embedded systems are secure, reliable, and new implementations are correct, scalable, and maintainable.\n\nEmbedded Systems Engineer lV – Senior / Technical Lead\n\nDefine embedded design standards, guidelines, and best practices for NTC hardware and firmware development.\nLead highly complex or safety-critical Embedded Systems Engineering efforts.\nDrive design decisions impacting safety, reliability, and scalability of embedded systems.\nServe as a primary technical authority for NTC embedded hardware.\nCoach and mentor engineers across all levels.\n8–12+ years advanced embedded systems engineering experience.\n\nProgression signal: Owns high-impact decisions regarding architecture, tool chains, and methodologies that the team uses to produce quality embedded systems. The team relies on this engineer’s judgement in critical situations.\n\nEmbedded Systems Engineer V – Principal / Strategic Leader\n\nDefine and evolve Nomad’s long-term NTC embedded platform architecture.\nLead cross-disciplinary technical initiatives related to embedded systems across engineering and manufacturing.\nServe as the highest-level technical authority for NTC embedded hardware and firmware.\nDrive innovation and technology adoption that advances the Nomad platforms.\nMentor senior engineers and develop future technical leaders.\n12+ years’ experience with organizational technical leadership.\n\nProgression signal: This engineer shapes what the organization builds next. Including future improvements, novel designs and is an expert in embedded systems.\n \n Basic Knowledge Progression:\n\nLevel l: Foundational understanding of microcontrollers, firmware development, and debugging tools used within NTC embedded systems.\nLevel ll: Strong working knowledge of embedded protocols and subsystem integration supporting NTC modules.\nLevel lll: System-level expertise and troubleshooting mastery of NTC embedded hardware and communications.\nLevel lV: Platform-level architecture and technical leadership for the NTC embedded system.\nLevel V: Enterprise-level strategy, innovation, and mentorship guiding the evolution of the NTC embedded platform.\n\n \nQualifications & Preferred Skills:\n\nProficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems required.\nExperience working in Linux environments required.\nBasic networking knowledge required, advanced preferred.\nBachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering or related preferred.\nWorking knowledge of relational database systems preferred.\nExperience with FreeRTOS or other RTOS platforms preferred.\nExposure to closed-loop control in robotics, automotive, aerospace or similar preferred.\nWorking knowledge of JavaScript, React, and/or similar object-oriented programming preferred.\n\nPhysical Demands:\n\nAbility to stand and sit for extended periods.\nManual dexterity to operate office equipment.\nOccasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.\nOccasional climbing or hands-on testing activities.\nAbility to work in office, shop, and vehicle environments as needed.\nAbility to work safely around energized systems when required.\nMust be able to travel as needed on occasion.\n\n \nWorking Environment:\n\nCombination of office, production floor, and vehicle-based environments.\nExposure to manufacturing noise, electrical equipment, and testing environments.\nPPE required when entering production or testing areas.\n\n \nNomad GCS is an equal opportunity employer, (EOE,) and voluntarily follows affirmative action guidelines. As an equal opportunity employer, Nomad GCS does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable state and local laws.