Firmware Engineer

Champaign, IL
2904 Research Rd
Champaign, IL 61822, USA

Champaign, IL
2904 Research Rd
Champaign, IL 61822, USA

At Horizon Hobby, we inspire dreams and help build memories! Our company is the leader in the global Radio Control industry, celebrating 40 years in 2025! We offer tremendous opportunities for growth and development and a full array of benefits including discounts on our products! We are currently hiring for a Firmware Engineer!

This is a full-time, on-site position at our Champaign IL location. Working hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Typical pay for this position is $80,000 - $110,000 annually. The final offer for this position will be based on the unique experience and qualifications of the candidate selected. This position may also be eligible for a bonus not included in the base pay range.

This Firmware Engineer will focus on developing embedded firmware forradio‑control(RC) systems used inhobby‑grade aircraft, vehicles, and other model products. As amid‑level engineer, this role willtake ownership of firmware features, contribute tosystem‑level design decisions, and collaborate closely with hardware and product teams.

This roll will work on control link logic, telemetry handling, device configuration, and performance optimization for compact and lightweight electronics that power Horizon Hobby’s product lines.

Key Responsibilities

• Firmware Development for RC Electronics — Design, implement, andmaintainembedded firmware for transmitters, receivers, ESCs, sensors, and other RC components. Develop features such as signal processing, failsafe behavior, telemetry decoding, and configuration logic.
• Hardware Integration — Work closely with electrical engineers tobring upnew boards,validate interfaces, and ensure firmware and hardwareoperateseamlessly together.
• RF System Support — Collaborate with RF engineers to integrate firmware with RF modules,optimize control ‑ link performance, and support antenna tuning andrange ‑ testing workflows.
• CAD & Documentation Support — Review schematics and PCB layouts to understand hardware interfaces and constraints. Provide firmware ‑ specific input during design reviews.
• Testing & Debugging — Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and RF test equipment to debug issues,validate performance, and ensure reliability inreal ‑ worldRC environments.
• Field & Bench Validation — Participate in controlled field tests with RC models to evaluate firmware behavior under realistic operating conditions.
• Continuous Improvement — Identify opportunities to improve firmware architecture, testing workflows, and product performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience developing embedded firmware in C or C++.
• Familiarity with microcontrollers,real ‑ time systems, andlow ‑ level drivers (SPI, I²C, UART, PWM, ADC).
• Ability to read schematics and understand hardware interfaces.
• Experience debugging embedded systems using standard lab tools.
• Interest inRF ‑ enabled consumer electronics or control systems.

Preferred

• Experience with RC hobby products or similar consumer electronics.
• Familiarity with 2.4 GHz RC control systems orspread ‑ spectrum protocols.
• Experience with Aircraft/Helicopter stabilization systems
• Knowledge of basic RF concepts and how firmware interacts with RF hardware.
• Experience with bootloaders,over ‑ the ‑ air updates, or configuration utilities.
• Understanding ofEMI/EMC considerations in embedded systems.
• Comfort with scripting languages (Python, etc.) for test automation.
• Clear communication and documentation habits
• Ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, and product teams
• Attention to detail and commitment to reliability
• Exp…