Senior Firmware Engineer

Fibertek, Inc
Herndon, VA, United States
3 months ago

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Experience level
Expert
Experience required
7 years minimum
Working hours
Regular working hours
Job source

Tech stack

Data Analysis Automation of Tests C++ (Programming Language) Code Review Continuous Integration Software Debugging Linux Programming Tools Ethernet Fault Tolerance Firmware Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
+16 more
Github Iterative and Incremental Development Python (Programming Language) Regression Testing SystemVerilog Systems Integration Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) Diagnostic Tools Scripting Serial Peripheral Interface PIC Microcontroller Code Inspection Software Coding Lidar Docker

Job description

  • Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based electro-optical payloads and laser systems
  • Perform end-to-end firmware development lifecycle: from requirements analysis through design, coding, simulation, verification, and validation
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, software, and optical engineers in cross-functional teams to define interfaces, resolve design issues, and ensure seamless system integration
  • Participate in task-based iterative development cycles, incorporating rapid feedback, frequent integration points, and incremental testing to meet mission reliability goals
  • Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using diagnostic tools and protocols
  • Support peer code reviews, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of development processes and best practices
  • Apply high-reliability and space-grade techniques (e.g., fault tolerance, radiation mitigation) in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
  • Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and risk identification throughout the product lifecycle

Requirements

  • 7+ years relevant experience
  • BS/MS in EE or equivalent
  • Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing)
  • Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR
  • Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools
  • Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance
  • Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases
  • Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design
  • Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire
  • Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc.
  • Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc.
  • Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging

Bonus Areas

  • Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis
  • Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation
  • Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding
  • Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers
  • Experience with VS Code

About the company

Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers. We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in Fibertek’s spaced-based, electro-optical systems.

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