Firmware Engineer (Contractor Position)

MistyWest; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 96,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible rates and hours

Equipment support

Job summary

MistyWest is seeking a Firmware Engineer (Contractor) to support an embedded product build in Vancouver. You will develop core firmware features, including device sensing, power management, connectivity, and system reporting, collaborating with hardware, mechanical, and software teams.

This role offers flexible work location (remote or hybrid) and project-based engagement. You will produce design notes, test evidence, and ensure low-power operation and secure communications for battery-powered

Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded firmware experience.
• Strong C/C++ experience for microcontrollers and embedded systems.
• Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting.
• Hands-on GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, debouncing.
• Experience implementing secure connectivity: Wi-Fi provisioning patterns.
• Strong software practices: Git, code reviews, clean architecture, testable firmware patterns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain firmware for connected embedded devices across multiple boards.
• Implement reliable sensor handling and event-driven state logic.
• Support wireless connectivity features, including provisioning/setup workflows and basic network health reporting.
• Ensure secure communications and define retry, buffering, and recovery behaviors when connectivity is unavailable.
• Deliver periodic device state reporting and time-sensitive event notifications aligned to service targets.
• Optimize low-power operation through effective sleep/wake strategies and battery-aware behaviors.
• Partner with hardware, mechanical, and software/cloud teams to support integration, troubleshooting, and validation.
• Create and execute test plans for key functional and integration scenarios.
• Produce clear documentation, including firmware design notes, configuration details, and test evidence for acceptance readiness.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Low-power design

Sensor handling

Wi‑Fi provisioning

Git & code reviews

Connectivity

Tools

FreeRTOS

Git

BLE

Job description

Overview

About MistyWest

MistyWest is a hardware engineering consultancy that exists to create novel technologies that enable a healthier planet and bring prosperity to all humankind, with a focus primarily on hardware projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are hiring a Firmware Engineer (Contractor) to support an embedded product build. You will help develop core firmware features, including device sensing, power management, connectivity, and reliable system reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain firmware for connected embedded devices, coordinating across multiple boards or modules as needed
• Implement reliable sensor handling and event-driven state logic
• Support wireless connectivity features, including provisioning/setup workflows and basic network health reporting
• Ensure secure communications and define retry, buffering, and recovery behaviors when connectivity is unavailable
• Deliver periodic device state reporting and time-sensitive event notifications aligned to service targets
• Optimize low-power operation through effective sleep/wake strategies and battery-aware behaviors
• Partner with hardware, mechanical, and software/cloud teams to support integration, troubleshooting, and validation
• Create and execute test plans for key functional and integration scenarios
• Produce clear documentation, including firmware design notes, configuration details, and test evidence for acceptance readiness

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded firmware experience
• Strong C/C++ experience for microcontrollers and/or embedded systems
• Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting
• Hands-on experience with: GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, debouncing
• Experience implementing secure connectivity: Wi-Fi provisioning patterns (AP mode, captive portal, BLE assist, or similar)
• Strong software practices: Git, code reviews, clean architecture, testable firmware patterns

Nice-to-Have

• RTOS experience (FreeRTOS or similar)
• Experience with Wi-Fi positioning or location inference workflows
• Familiarity with regulatory-minded development (FCC/UL), and privacy/security standards
• Experience bringing products through integration testing and production readiness
• Python scripting for test automation or tooling

Benefits

• Highly flexible: negotiate your own rates, hours and work location.
• Hardware & Software Access: MistyWest can provide equipment and software support where needed
• Try us out! Find out if MistyWest would be a good permanent employer for your needs and career direction
• Amazing Community: plug into a great local and global community of engineers and product design enthusiasts for events, projects, potential work & personal development.

Please note that if selected, you will be working as an ‘Independent Contractor’ and not as an employee at MistyWest. We have previously hired from our contractor pool, so this is a great way to get your proverbial "foot in the door" when it comes to securing a permanent gig as a Westie!

Requirements will vary depending on the specific project you are being hired for. Some projects require your physical presence in our Vancouver office and lab a few days a week/month - some are 100% remote enabled.