Embedded Firmware Engineer – Modern C++ & Hardware Integration

Job Title: Embedded Firmware Engineer – Modern C++ & Hardware Integration

Location: Waukesha, WI (100% Onsite)

Shift Structure: First Shift | Standard Daytime Business Hours

Pay Rate: $30.00 - 33/hr on W2

Portfolio Requirement: N/A (GitHub links or embedded system architecture summaries welcome)

Interview Process: Fast-tracked technical interview process.

Job Description: Our client, a premier engineering innovator developing complex, safety-critical Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and medical technology platforms, is seeking a skilled, self-directed Embedded Firmware Engineer to join their platform engineering organization in Waukesha, WI. In this 100% onsite role, you will own embedded software features end-to-end—from requirements breakdown and modern C++ implementation through board-level integration, verification, and defect resolution. You will collaborate directly with hardware, FPGA, systems, and architecture teams to translate complex system requirements into deterministic, maintainable production firmware operating on resource-constrained embedded platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• End-to-End Firmware Ownership: Own assigned firmware features and subsystems from initial requirements analysis through architectural design, modern C++ coding, integration testing, and defect resolution.
• Modern C++ Embedded Development: Architect and write clean, deterministic, maintainable embedded software in modern C++, applying strong object-oriented design (OOP), explicit memory management, concurrency controls, and defensive error handling.
• Cross-Functional Hardware & FPGA Integration: Partner closely with hardware engineers, FPGA designers, systems architects, and global software teams to clarify interface specs, evaluate technical trade-offs, and resolve cross-domain integration issues.
• Low-Level Debugging & Diagnostics: Utilize hardware debuggers, emulators, logic and protocol analyzers, oscilloscopes, and system logs to isolate complex timing, concurrency, and hardware-software interaction defects.
• Automated Verification & CI/CD: Develop comprehensive unit and integration tests, expand automated regression suites, and maintain Linux-based, Git, and container-based build/CI workflows.
• Design Traceability & Code Reviews: Actively participate in peer design and code reviews, estimate user stories in an Agile environment, and author clear technical documentation supporting regulatory design traceability and long-term maintenance.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience Level: 5+ years of hands-on professional experience in embedded firmware development with deep C++ and low-level hardware interaction expertise.
• C++ Mastery: Strong command of C++ fundamentals, including object-oriented architecture, memory management, multi-threading/concurrency fundamentals, and writing production-grade embedded code.
• Hardware & Real-Time Interfacing: Proven track record developing firmware that interacts directly with hardware peripherals, device interfaces, real-time systems, or resource-constrained embedded processors.
• Diagnostic & Lab Tooling: Hands-on proficiency with embedded diagnostic tools including JTAG/SWD debuggers, emulators, protocol analyzers, logic analyzers, and low-level system log analysis.
• Linux & Build Environments: Practical experience working within Linux-based development environments, Git version control, containerized build pipelines, and Continuous Integration (CI) / automated testing frameworks.
• Autonomous Execution: Demonstrated ability to dive into unfamiliar, complex codebases independently, break down ambiguous engineering problems, and deliver reliable results with minimal supervision.
• Onsite Commitment: Must be local or willing to commute 100% onsite to Waukesha, WI Monday through Friday.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

Stand-Out Skills (Preferred):

• Hands-on experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks, Zephyr, QNX) and deterministic multi-threaded firmware.
• Direct experience with board bring-up, board-level debugging, device driver development, communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, CAN, Ethernet), or FPGA-to-firmware interfacing.
• Background developing firmware in a regulated, safety-critical, or quality-controlled environment (e.g., Medical Devices / FDA / IEC 62304, Aerospace, or Automotive).
• Familiarity working within Agile teams using user stories and iterative sprint planning.

Actual Skills Required:

1. Modern Embedded C++ Development (OOP, Memory Management & Concurrency)
2. Hardware Interfacing, Real-Time Systems & Low-Level Firmware Architecture
3. Hardware/Firmware Debugging (Logic Analyzers, Protocol Analyzers, Emulators & Debuggers)
4. Embedded Linux Environments, Git, Containerized Builds & CI/Automated Testing
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration (Hardware, FPGA & Systems Teams) in Regulated Environments