Staff Engineer

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer focused on the development and integration of low-level firmware for new clinical diagnostic instruments. This role involves designing, coding, deploying, testing, and debugging embedded systems firmware, including device drivers and interfaces to the application layer. The ideal candidate will work effectively with cross-functional teams and contribute to delivering on commitments.

Responsibilities

• Set and communicate the enterprise innovation strategy and multi-year roadmap for a biotech diagnostics portfolio (assays, instruments, software/data, workflow), aligned to business growth priorities and customer/patient needs.
• Lead front-end innovation and incubation: convert unmet diagnostic needs into concepts, prototypes, and validated business cases; define stage-gates, KPIs, and go/no-go criteria with R&D and Product teams.
• Own the innovation portfolio and investment governance (discovery through feasibility), prioritizing opportunities across clinical segments and adjacent markets; manage resources, risk, and value creation.
• Build and manage the external innovation ecosystem (academia, hospitals/labs, startups, suppliers, CRO/CMO partners, consortia); lead technology scouting and diligence for new biomarkers, assay chemistries, sample prep, automation, and analytics.
• Drive cross-functional alignment from concept through development handoff and launch readiness by influencing execution with R&D, Product/Marketing, Quality/Regulatory, Clinical/Medical Affairs, Manufacturing/Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Design, develop, and integrate low-level firmware for clinical diagnostic instruments, including device drivers and interfaces to the application layer.
• Work with 8/16/32-bit microprocessor architectures such as Cortex MSTM32-Kinetis, Pic32, or dspic33.
• Implement communication protocols: USB, UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet (TCP/IP-Ethercat).
• Write embedded firmware for microcontrollers using C/C++.
• Develop firmware for sensors data collection and analysis, motion control, or PID control.
• Perform tests and generate test reports against firmware requirements.
• Ensure compliance with regulated environments (e.g., FDA) and standards such as IEC 62304.
• Create design and requirements for instrument and sub-system manufacturing test software.
• Design, create requirements, and tests for instrument calibration and sub-systems.
• Bring up new boards and work with real-time operating systems.
• Address real-time issues in embedded systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience designing embedded systems firmware in a production environment (shipped products a plus).
• Experience with 8/16/32-bit microprocessor architectures (e.g., Cortex MSTM32-Kinetis, Pic32, dspic33).
• Proficiency in C/C++ programming for embedded systems.
• Experience with communication protocols: USB, UART, SPI, CAN, Ethernet (TCP/IP-Ethercat).
• Experience in one or more of the following: sensors data collection and analysis, motion control, or PID control.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., FDA) and compliance with IEC 62304 is highly desirable.
• Experience with real-time operating systems and real-time issues.
• Familiarity with optical detection systems, robotics, and power electronics is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Android or Linux device drivers is highly desirable.
• Experience with VHDL is highly desirable.

Location

This position must be based in Hercules, CA and requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.

Benefits

• Competitive medical plans for you and your family, including free HSA funds.
• New fertility offering with stipend.
• Group life and disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401k with profit sharing and an employee stock purchase program.
• Upgraded and streamlined mental health platform.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities, education benefits, and student debt relief program.
• Pet insurance, wellness challenges, and support.
• Paid time off.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Pay

The estimated base salary range for this position is $137,600 to $189,200 at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be based on geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, and other job-related factors. This position is also eligible for a variable annual bonus dependent on individual and company performance.