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# Firmware Engineer

- **Company:** Cowboy Space Corp.
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $130,000.0 - $185,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Board Bringup, C (Programming Language), Automation of Tests, C++ (Programming Language), Communications Protocols, Protocol Stack, Computer Programming, Databases, Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Embedded Software, Fault Tolerance, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), FreeRTOS, Hardware Design, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Joint Test Action (IEEE Standards), Python (Programming Language), Network Protocols, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, System Testing, Systems Integration, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, VxWorks, Scripting, Serial Peripheral Interface, PIC Microcontroller, Real Time Systems, Test Scripts, Reliability of Systems, Information Technology, Hardware Debugging
- **Published:** July 31, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/firmware-engineer-san-carlos-ca--acca468d-265e-432b-a616-912098d23932

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
 * 3+ years of experience in firmware or embedded software development
 * Strong programming skills in C/C++ for embedded systems
 * Experience working with microcontrollers and/or FPGAs
 * Familiarity with real-time systems and embedded debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)
 * Experience with hardware/software integration and board bring-up

Preferred Qualifications:

 * Experience developing firmware for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability systems
 * Familiarity with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) and real-time scheduling concepts
 * Experience with communication stacks and networking protocols in embedded systems
 * Understanding of fault-tolerant design, redundancy, and high-reliability system architecture
 * Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and system validation
 * Familiarity with Python or scripting for test automation and tooling
 * Familiarity with Rust, RTL, and knowledge of various database types
 * Experience working in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with rapid iteration cycles
 * Exposure to radiation-tolerant design considerations for space systems, Aerospace and Defense, Avionics, Boundary Scan, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, Cancer, Category Development, Communications Protocols, Computer Engineering, Computer Firmware, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Control Systems, Debugging Skills, Debugging Tools, Dental Insurance, Developmental Disabilities, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, FPGA, Genetics, Government, Hardware Repair, Hardware-Software Integration, High Reliability, I2C, IR (Infrared), Logic Analyzer, Medical Conditions, Microcontroller, Military, Network Protocols, Oscilloscope, Power Management, Protocol Stack, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Realtime Operating System, Regulations, Robotics, Root Cause Analysis, Software Development, State Laws and Regulations, System Architecture, System Validation, Systems Reliability, Team Lead/Manager, Test Automation, Test Harness, Test Scripts, Test Tools, United States Citizen, Universal Asynchronous
Receiver-Transmitter (UART), Validation Testing, Vision Plan, VxWorks

## Description

* Own firmware development for spacecraft subsystems from concept through on-orbit operations
 * Design, develop, and debug embedded firmware for microcontrollers, FPGAs, and custom hardware platforms
 * Implement low-level drivers, communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN), and real-time control systems
 * Develop firmware for power management, avionics interfaces, sensors, and actuator control
 * Build robust, fault-tolerant systems with attention to reliability, determinism, and performance under constrained environments
 * Support board bring-up, hardware integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
 * Develop automated test frameworks and validation tools for embedded systems
 * Collaborate closely with electrical, avionics, and software teams to define system architecture and interfaces
 * Investigate anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement fixes across hardware/software boundaries
 * Contribute to system-level design, including fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies


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