Firmware Engineer III

The Firmware Engineer III works with cross-functional teams to develop embedded firmware and related software solutions for Zinc Five's NiZn-based UPS products and supporting technologies. This role supports product development from concept through validation and release, with responsibility for delivering reliable, high-quality solutions that meet program, performance, and schedule objectives. This position will independently lead significant firmware features and bounded subsystems, contribute to firmware and system architecture, and drive technical execution within established subsystem and program plans.

This position will work onsite at Zinc Five headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon and reports to the Lead Software Engineer.

Firmware Engineer III Job Duties:

• Responsible for design and implementation of firmware running on embedded platforms
• Lead development of significant firmware features, control algorithms, and bounded subsystems
• Contribute to firmware and system architecture design reviews and technical decision-making
• Ensure solutions meet or exceed each development phase gate requirement
• Develop automated unit, integration, and functional tests to verify operational correctness of new code
• Write performance analysis code, evaluate results, and recommend improvements
• Participate in manual testing cycles to verify application features and subsystem functionality
• Perform ongoing defect identification, debugging, and resolution
• Support sustaining engineering issues including RCCA (Root Cause & Corrective Action), and service and support calls
• Adhere to the PLM gate process and ensure timely completion of action items
• Take ownership of assigned projects and technical areas and communicate progress, risks, and status to engineering leadership and program stakeholders
• Escalate open issues in a timely manner to mitigate project delays, and help drive resolution plans
• Work with small cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, software, product management) on new product development and continuous improvement
• Mentor junior engineers through code reviews, design feedback, and technical guidance
• Help improve coding practices, documentation quality, and engineering consistency across the team
• Support subsystem integration, lab bring-up, and validation activities across development and release phases

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related field
• 4+ years of experience in a related field
• Experience with real-time, optimized C development
• Experience with embedded processors and microcontrollers
• Experience interpreting schematics, operating lab instruments, and using logic analyzers
• Familiarity with software architecture, design patterns, and coding guidelines for best practices
• Experience developing and debugging firmware in embedded systems
• Experience developing automated tests or validation tools for firmware verification
• Ability to independently own technical work streams and deliver high-quality solutions with limited oversight
• Technical documentation skills
• Demonstrates effective communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with multiple programming languages (C/C++, JavaScript, Python)
• Development experience with SoC/ARM/Microchip processors and FPGAs
• Experience applying secure development lifecycle practices to embedded products
• Experience implementing or supporting embedded security features such as secure boot, signed firmware update, access control, or secure communications
• Experience with optimization and debugging tools and techniques
• Ability to understand schematics and debug circuit boards
• Experience developing in an RTOS environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related field
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity principles and standards such as IEC 62443
• Experience with battery systems, power electronics, or other embedded control systems

Key Competencies:

• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
• Good judgment with solid decision making
• Customer service orientation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Continuo…