Firmware Engineer

Job Title:

Staff Firmware Engineer

Job Description

This role calls for an experienced and highly capable Staff Firmware Engineer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of embedded firmware components within a cross-functional engineering organization. You will act as a firmware technical lead, collaborating closely with product management, project management, cellular modem providers, certification bodies, and other R&D teams to deliver complete Smart Grid solutions. The position combines hands-on low-level development with leadership responsibilities, requiring deep expertise in cellular technologies, embedded systems, and complex R&D projects.

Responsibilities

+ Lead the development and testing of cellular modem interface firmware for embedded systems.

+ Design, implement, and maintain embedded firmware components in support of Smart Grid solutions.

+ Handle telecommunication-specific constraints and behaviors in firmware design and implementation.

+ Manage SIM, APN, and operator-driven configuration differences to ensure reliable device connectivity.

+ Develop and execute cellular network simulations to validate firmware behavior under diverse conditions.

+ Use modem test tools to capture and analyze diagnostic traces for troubleshooting and performance tuning.

+ Analyze modem logs, network traces, and protocol flows to identify root causes of connectivity and performance issues.

+ Drive firmware fixes and enhancements that improve robustness and reliability across varying network conditions and technologies.

+ Collaborate with subject matter experts and business partners on component and system-level design.

+ Work closely with product management, project management, carriers, certification bodies, and other R&D teams throughout the design, development, and validation lifecycle.

+ Contribute to end-to-end solution development involving device, network, and backend interactions.

+ Provide leadership on complex hardware, firmware, software, and complete solution projects as part of a cross-functional team.

+ Allocate time approximately 30% to leadership and 70% to hands-on firmware development activities.

+ Conduct code reviews to ensure adherence to established best practices, coding standards, and quality expectations.

+ Mentor and energize junior engineers, helping them grow technically and achieve project deliverables.

+ Lead small project teams, including hosting regular meetings and coordinating with internal and external partners in written and verbal forms.

+ Participate in activities that improve the engineering team, such as interviewing candidates, mentoring peers, and sharing best practices.

+ Independently manage complex R&D projects, including planning, execution, and issue resolution with minimal supervision.

+ Communicate effectively with diverse audiences using multiple communication channels.

+ Build and maintain cross-team and cross-functional relationships to facilitate ongoing and future projects.

+ Stay current on evolving cellular and embedded firmware technologies and apply this knowledge to utility-focused solutions.

+ Learn new technologies and tools independently and facilitate training and knowledge sharing across multiple teams.

+ Support field deployments of cellular devices, including SIM management, device provisioning, and troubleshooting in real-world environments.

+ Engage with clients when needed to provide technical consulting on products and solutions.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

+ Extensive software development experience (5-10 years), with a significant portion focused on cellular-related technologies.

+ Strong experience in embedded firmware development using the C programming language.

+ Hands-on experience working with cellular modems and interacting with carrier networks.

+ Understanding of power-saving modes such as PSM and eDRX and their impact on device behavior.

+ Knowledge of network-induced latency, connection drops, and retries, and how they affect embedded devices.

+ Experience debugging issues that appear only under real network conditions.

+ Exposure to end-to-end systems involving device-to-network-to-backend interactions.

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Experience with low-level embedded development, including RTOS-based systems.

+ Proficiency in debugging software and embedded systems in complex R&D environments.

+ Strong multitasking, organizational, and time management skills.

+ Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

+ Ability to handle complex R&D hardware, firmware, software, and complete solution projects.

+ Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across audiences and mediums.

+ Ability to exercise critical thinking and creative problem solving.

+ Ability to work effectively as part of a cross-regional and cross-functional team.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with cellular device deployment, including SIM management and device provisioning.

+

Experience…