Firmware Engineer
Overview:
This is a full-time, on-site Firmware Engineer role based in either Fremont, CA or Reno, NV. The Firmware Engineer will design, develop, and maintain the real-time firmware that runs Pivotal’s gas flow control products, ensuring reliable performance in semiconductor manufacturing environments.
Day-to-day responsibilities include implementing and optimizing control, sensing, and communication firmware, integrating firmware with electronic hardware, and participating in system-level testing and validation.
The role involves complex debugging, collaborating with electrical and software engineers, and contributing to documentation, code reviews, and continuous improvement of development practices. This role focuses on product-level, real-time control firmware and works closely with our Embedded Software Engineer (Platform & Firmware), who owns bootloaders, drivers, and the embedded platform.
The Firmware Engineer will also support production and field teams with technical insight into product behavior and performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, test, and maintain real-time firmware in C/C++ for gas flow controllers, flow ratio controllers, and related products, running on microcontrollers or DSPs under an RTOS or bare-metal scheduler.
- Implement closed-loop flow and pressure control algorithms, sensor signal processing (pressure and temperature), and valve actuation.
- Implement and maintain the industrial communication interfaces used by semiconductor equipment makers, such as EtherCAT, DeviceNet, RS-485, and analog I/O.
- Develop firmware support for calibration data, gas and configuration tables, self-diagnostics, alarms, and fault handling.
- Bring up and debug new hardware with electrical engineers using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
- Write unit and integration tests, create design verification test plans, and support system-level validation on gas test stands.
- Participate in code reviews and design reviews, and follow version control and release management practices.
- Support manufacturing test and field service with firmware updates, diagnostic tools, and root-cause analysis of field issues.
- Document firmware architecture, interfaces, and release notes.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3+ years of experience developing embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontroller-based products on resource-constrained systems.
- Hands-on experience with low-level programming of microcontroller peripherals such as ADCs, DACs, PWM, timers, GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and interrupt-driven, real-time firmware design.
- Solid debugging skills, including use of hardware and software debugging tools, instrumentation, and structured troubleshooting methods.
- Applied electrical engineering knowledge, including the ability to read schematics and datasheets and to work through hardware–software integration issues.
- Experience with version control (e.g., Git) and code reviews.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team, communicate technical concepts clearly, and document designs and test results effectively.
The ideal candidate will also have:
- 5+ years of experience developing embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontroller-based products on resource-constrained systems.
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- Experience with EtherCAT, DeviceNet, or CANopen slave stacks.
- Background in control systems (e.g., PID control) or digital signal processing.
- Familiarity with industrial or semiconductor equipment, sensors, mass flow controllers, or control systems.
- Experience with Copy Exactly! / Copy Exact! and related design replication methodologies.
- Python scripting experience for test automation and data analysis.
Pay Range & Total Compensation
The base pay range reflects the good-faith estimate of the salary/wage range for this position at the time of posting. Actual placement within the range is determined based on factors including key skills, relevant experience, internal equity, education, certifications, and geography/market differentials.
Additional Compensation & Benefits:
In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- 401(k) matching program
- Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and sick leave
Note: Variable pay and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents.