Firmware Engineer

Embedded “C” for bare-metal firmware development . Strong C programming skills for bare-metal from-the-scratch development on Texas Instruments DSPs/DSCs, including MSP430 (fixed-point arithmetic) and TMS320F28335, with immediate ability to read and work from electrical schematics . Firmware architecture for distributed embedded systems .

Ability to partition firmware across networked circuit boards using sound architectural principles including OSI-model concepts, plugins, HAL with well-defined interfaces, abstractions with module isolation, clear API contracts with loose coupling. Embedded hardware interfacing including in-depth CAN . Practical firmware development for sensor and actuator interfacing, including solenoids and motors, as well as MCU peripherals and chipsets such as ADC, DAC, RTD, IMU, timers, SPI, PWM, ISR, DMA, QEP, I2C, UART, and memories.

Hands-on multi-year experience with CAN networks, including transceivers, controllers, and higher-layer protocols such as CANopen and SAE J1939. Hardware/Firmware integration and testing . Practical experience in board-level SIT and firmware V&V using oscilloscope, logic analyzer, DMM, CAN analyzers, JTAG/debug tools, and HiL-based test setups.

Summary Seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer with 10+ years of equivalent experience and strong capability in implementing communication, acquisition, signal processing, and control systems. This is a hands-on role requiring deep out-of-box expertise across the full firmware stack - drivers, HAL, middleware, application layers, and bootloaders, with strong preference for candidates who have built commercial firmware for electro-mechanical/hydraulic systems from the ground up. The engineer will support oil & gas products that integrate firmware, software, electrical, and mechanical systems, where downhole firmware directly impacts operational effectiveness, system reliability, and safety in Wireline and Coiled Tubing conveyance and intervention applications.

The position requires strong proven firmware coding capability along with solid electrical engineering understanding, and the ability to develop a minimalistic counterpart engineering software using technologies such as LabWindows/CVI (preferrable), or C# .NET, MATLAB, or Python, and to work effectively with multi-disciplinary stakeholders. The role includes participation in Hardware-in-the-Loop and System Integration Testing, with approximately 25–75% lab involvement depending on project phase, focused on validation and verification, troubleshooting, and physical system integration under realistic real-time operating conditions. It requires independent technical execution, strong cross-functional communication, and a proactive approach in resolving hardware-firmware-software integration issues.

The expected technical foundation includes modular, layered firmware architecture, use of plugins, abstractions, loose coupling, and high cohesion, and development of cross-platform, portable, and reusable C code. The engineer should bring an advanced working knowledge of electrical engineering and control systems, along with experience in event-driven design, logical controllers, non-blocking state machines, and deterministic real-time behavior, including interrupt- and/or DMA-driven workflows. A strong mindset for test-driven development, defensive design, and diagnosability is important, as is practical programming capability in higher-level languages to create helper utilities.

Supplementary strengths include MATLAB/Simulink for Model-Based Design (MBD) of controllers and plants; familiarity with XiL (Anything-in-the-Loop), including MiL, PiL, HiL, and SiL; exposure to National Instrument hardware and software; experience with Azure DevOps pipeline scripting. Key Responsibilities Design and implement firmware components and applications for multidisciplinary Wireline and Coiled Tubing downhole automation systems, including hydraulic and electro-mechanical robotic tools. This includes both sustaining work (such as refactoring legacy firmware using established architectural principles), and NPD (including full-cycle development from ground zero).

Ensure robust integration across electrical, firmware, mechanical, and software systems. Develop and maintain C codebases for TI MSP430, F28335, ATmega64, dsPIC33, and similar. Design, develop, and maintain in-house firmware frameworks and APIs, including motor and solenoid control, communication stacks, embedded flash file systems, logical and PID-based process controllers, sensor acquisition subsystems, digital signal processing, telemetry protocols, diagnostics, and other industrial algorithms.

Design, develop, and maintain in-house counterpart engineering software applications used to co-develop, debug, configure, test, and operate firmware over communication links. Participate in unit testing, JTAG-based debugging, integration testing, HiL-based V&V, and system characterization activities. Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams on telemetry specifications, distributed data acquisition, data/signal processing, and control implementation.

Work with mechanical engineering teams and the field test coordinator to define automation workflows, business logic, and use-case requirements. Support field operations and troubleshoot issues involving hardware, firmware, and software interaction. Contribute to architecture reviews, design documentation, test documentation, and user manuals.

Improve the performance, robustness, and reliability of existing systems, and proactively recommend firmware enhancements. Follow established development best practices, including structured design, CI/CD, version control (Git), and Agile methods. Education and Experience Master’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience) in Electrical, Computer, Mechatronics, or Embedded Engineering - emphasizing applied embedded systems engineering that bridges hardware, firmware, and software domains. 10+ years of relevant professional experience developing or supporting “C/C++” firmware for industrial, control, or automation systems.

Track record of working on projects that integrate mechanical, electrical, and firmware components. This engineer will be a shared resource across multiple active projects within NPD and Sustaining divisions, working in a hybrid environment combining home, office, laboratory, and collaborative technical spaces. Physical presence is essential.

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