Firmware Engineer, Motor Control

Omni Instrument is building autonomous manufacturing systems using custom hardware, embedded Linux platforms, real-time control systems, and distributed embedded devices. Our systems combine edge computing, motor control, advanced and industrial communication networks, along with production-grade embedded software designed for manufacturing environments. We are focused on building reliable, production-ready systems that operate continuously and safely in demanding industrial conditions.

We are hiring a Firmware Engineer who works on the Motor Controls team to design and implement production firmware for distributed real-time control systems. This role involves ownership of embedded firmware architecture across Linux-based systems and microcontrollers, including communication infrastructure, fault handling, state machines, monitoring systems, and real-time device coordination. You will work on systems involving CAN, EtherCAT, embedded Linux, motor control integration, and safety-critical monitoring logic.

The role requires strong programming ability, strong systems-level thinking, and the ability to design firmware that is robust, testable, and production-ready. This is an on-site role in San Francisco, CA reporting directly to the CEO.

• Design and implement embedded firmware for distributed control systems
• Develop firmware architecture for Linux and microcontroller-based systems
• Implement real-time state machines and fault handling systems
• Build communication infrastructure using CAN, EtherCAT, Ethernet, and inter-process communication
• Develop monitoring and safety systems for motors, sensors, and industrial devices
• Design firmware interfaces between high-level software and low-level hardware
• Debug timing-sensitive embedded systems and communication issues
• Develop production-quality embedded C++ software
• Build automated validation and regression test infrastructure
• Develop Hardware In the Loop and Software In the Loop testing systems
• Investigate firmware failures and perform root cause analysis
• Work closely with hardware, controls, and manufacturing teams to ensure production readiness

• Own firmware architecture from concept through production deployment
• Design reliable communication interfaces between embedded devices
• Develop fault monitoring, watchdog, and recovery systems
• Validate firmware timing behavior, synchronization, and system stability
• Create test infrastructure for firmware validation and release qualification
• Define firmware release criteria and reliability requirements
• Ensure firmware is maintainable, testable, and scalable

• Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong experience developing embedded firmware in C++
• Strong understanding of real-time embedded systems
• Experience with embedded Linux systems
• Experience with microcontrollers and low-level hardware interfaces
• Experience implementing communication protocols such as CAN, EtherCAT, Ethernet, SPI, UART, or USB
• Experience designing embedded software architecture and state machines
• Experience debugging embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, or similar tools
• Strong understanding of multithreading, synchronization, and timing-sensitive software
• Experience building firmware test infrastructure and automated validation systems
• Ability to independently design and implement production firmware systems

• Experience with Sitara, STM
  32, NVIDIA Jetson, or similar embedded platforms
• Experience with industrial automation or robotics systems
• Familiarity with  Linux or real-time Linux concepts
• Experience with motor control systems and distributed embedded architectures
• Experience with Hardware In the Loop and Software In the Loop validation systems
• Experience with fault-tolerant or safety-critical firmware design
• Experience supporting manufacturing or production environments

• Firmware systems are reliable, deterministic, and production-ready
• Embedded communication systems operate robustly under real-world conditions
• Firmware failures are quickly diagnosable and reproducible
• Validation infrastructure scales with product complexity and manufacturing volume
• Firmware releases are predictable, repeatable, and stable
• Embedded systems are maintainable, testable, and robust across hardware variations