Bare Metal Embedded Firmware Engineer (C, Microcontrollers)

About the role

You will be part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, working closely with Automation, Manufacturing Operations, and Product Engineering teams. This role collaborates across functions to improve processes, integrate new technologies, and support high‑quality, efficient manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Optimize firmware performance, memory utilization, and computational efficiency within resource‑constrained embedded systems.
• Develop code for configuring/interfacing with real‑time clocks, Ethernet PHY chips, external memory, and specialty sensors.
• Implement security and password access routines and Ethernet communication protocols.
• Leverage AI‑enabled engineering tools and technologies to enhance hardware design, firmware development, testing, troubleshooting, documentation, and data analysis; evaluate emerging AI capabilities and implement best practices to improve engineering efficiency, product quality, and innovation while ensuring compliance with cybersecurity, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage equipment and capital projects within budget and timelines.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to resolve issues and enhance manufacturing performance.
• Apply Lean principles and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure safety, quality, and compliance in all processes.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field (MS preferred).
• 5+ years of embedded firmware experience.
• 5+ years of C development experience.
• Hands‑on experience developing firmware for microcontrollers such as Microchip dsPIC (preferred), STM32, NXP, Renesas, TI, ARM Cortex‑M platforms.
• Experience with bare‑metal development.
• Experience with SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, timers, and interrupts.
• Experience with CAN, CAN‑FD, Ethernet, Modbus, RS‑485.
• Ability to communicate highly technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Strong problem‑solving, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities in ambiguous environments.
• Ability to travel as needed for the role.

Technical Skills

• Firmware development in C/C++ for microcontrollers (Microchip PIC, STM32, NXP, Renesas, TI, etc.).
• Bare‑metal firmware for time‑critical processing (A/D sampling, motor control, communications).
• State‑machine architectures, interrupt service routines, Microchip Ethernet stack.
• Industrial and embedded communication protocols: CAN, CAN‑FD, Modbus, RS‑485, USB, Ethernet, MQTT, BLE, Wi‑Fi.
• Peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, digital I/O, PWM, timers.
• Automated builds, unit testing, continuous integration, software release management.
• Source control (Git preferred), code reviews, branching strategies, collaborative workflows.
• Automated test and validation tools using LabVIEW, Python, or equivalent.
• PC‑based engineering tools and scripting: MATLAB, Python, C#, .NET.
• Schematic capture, component footprint modeling, PCB design (Altium Designer desirable).
• Desktop application development (Windows, Linux) a plus.
• Secure bootloaders, OTA firmware update mechanisms, secure boot, authentication, encryption, secure key storage, cybersecurity best practices.
• Familiarity with IEC 62443, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or similar standards.
• Familiarity with locomotive electrical systems is a plus.

Benefits

• Health, welfare, and retirement plans.
• Potential annual bonus eligibility.
• Additional benefit details available at mywabtecbenefits.com.

Pay

Salary range: $91,000 – $129,800. The actual salary offered may be influenced by factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands, and work location.

Additional Information

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Offer contingent upon successful drug screen and fitness‑for‑duty test, as applicable.
• Travel may be required as needed for the role.