Staff Firmware Engineer

Firmware Engineer

Firmware Engineer needed for a rapidly growing Industrial Automation and Communication company located in Knoxville, TN. This is a Direct Hire position with an excellent salary and benefits package. Starting salary range is $120,000 to $150,000 (depending on experience, education, and training).

Job Description:

The Staff Firmware Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for owning firmware projects or major subsystems and leading technical execution across multiple contributors. This role combines deep firmware expertise with mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and accountability for delivering robust, scalable embedded software aligned with product and business objectives. The successful, self-motivated candidate will have experience in operating systems and the development and use of board support packages for custom embedded hardware platforms, fluent in the C and C++ programming languages, experienced using debuggers and emulators, and effective communication both written and verbal.

Essential Job Functions

• Own and lead the technical execution of firmware projects or major subsystems from concept through production release
• Define firmware architectures, design approaches, and implementation strategies
• Coordinate and guide the work of multiple firmware engineers through technical leadership and review
• Design, implement, and review embedded firmware using C and C++ across Linux and RTOS-based platforms
• Lead development and integration of board support packages (BSPs), bootloaders, device drivers, and middleware
• Lead firmware bring-up, debugging, optimization, and system integration activities
• Establish and apply firmware verification and validation strategies to ensure quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout the firmware development lifecycle
• Serve as a primary firmware technical interface with Hardware, Software, Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Project Management teams
• Provide advanced technical support for manufacturing, field, or customer issues
• Mentor and coach Associate, Firmware, and Senior Firmware Engineers
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of firmware development standards, tools, and processes

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field from an accredited institution; Master’s degree preferred
• Eight or more years of experience in firmware or embedded software engineering with demonstrated leadership of complex projects
• Expert-level proficiency in embedded firmware development using C and C++
• Extensive experience with embedded Linux systems and real-time operating systems
• Strong experience with Linux kernel configuration, building, and debugging
• Extensive experience developing and debugging device drivers and low-level firmware
• Experience configuring and customizing bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot, GRUB)
• Strong understanding of firmware architecture, modular design, and system trade-offs
• Deep experience with source version control systems and software release processes
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence without authority

Desired Qualifications

• Experience serving as technical lead on multi-disciplinary or cross-functional projects
• Experience with Windows-based embedded or device driver development
• Experience with ARM and x86 processor architectures
• Strong networking and Ethernet-based communication experience
• Experience implementing cryptographic algorithms and secure communication protocols
• Experience with product certification activities (e.g., CE, UL)
• Experience in industrial automation or embedded control systems