Electrical / Computer Engineer - Firmware & FPGA

Aerotech Inc; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bi-annual bonus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Employee Stock Ownership Trust

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Aerotech Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA is seeking an entry‑level Electrical/Computer Engineer specializing in firmware and FPGA to join our R&D team.

You will design, implement, and test embedded code where C++ runs on a DSP and VHDL on an FPGA, optimizing for hard real‑time performance on precision motion hardware. You will collaborate with hardware, software, and mechanical engineers, read schematics, test with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, and contribute to rigorous validation of firmware

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BS/MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• 0–2 years of post-graduate embedded software/firmware experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and hardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog).
• Experience with electronic test instruments (multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• On-site relocation to Pittsburgh area; US work authorization without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Implement new firmware modules in C++ based on system requirements.
• Develop, simulate, and debug VHDL on FPGA for tight DSP interaction.
• Test and debug code with hardware, schematics, and test equipment.
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Management, Sales, and Support to ensure high performance motion control.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Embedded systems

Time-critical programming

Education

Bachelor/Master in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Git version control

Jira

Oscilloscopes/Logic analyzers

VHDL/Verilog

Vivado Design Suite

Job description

Electrical / Computer Engineer - Firmware & FPGA

Looking for meaningful work where you can make a difference in global innovation? Engineer a better future with Aerotech, a global leader in precision motion and automation. Our customers create some of the most innovative products on the planet, from life-saving medical devices to tools for deep space exploration. Our precision motion and automation systems make it all possible.

Build a lasting, satisfying career at Aerotech, where we foster growth, empower employees and promote from within. You'll find unparalleled opportunities and a company that values your voice. We also provide an extensive total rewards compensation system, including:

• Bonus payments every 6 months
• Rich health plans
• Retirement planning with our 100% company-paid Employee Stock Ownership Trust

If you’re mechanically inclined or technically savvy with a passion for cutting-edge technology, we want to hear from you.

Position Summary

This entry-level position is on a small firmware sub-team within our Electrical Engineering R&D department. In this role, you will focus on the design, implementation, and testing of embedded code. Our control architecture features a tight coupling between C++ code running on a DSP and VHDL running on an FPGA. Because we push the boundaries of high-precision automation, you will be optimizing algorithms to meet the requirements of our hard real-time system. This role offers the chance to collaborate directly with veteran engineers boasting decades of motion control expertise.

What Will Your Day Look Like? At Aerotech, You Will:

• Use C++ to implement new firmware modules based on high-level system requirements and update existing modules to fix bugs and improve functionality.
• Develop, simulate, and debug VHDL code running on an FPGA to ensure tight, predictable interaction with the DSP and other hardware devices.
• Work closely with the hardware design team and use your ability to read schematics and operate electronic test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) to test and debug C++ and VHDL code running on our motion control hardware.
• Conduct rigorous testing on real motion control systems to verify that new firmware features function correctly and operate within the defined design parameters.
• Collaborate with other members of R&D, including Software and Mechanical Engineering, along with other departments such as Product Management, Sales, and Global Technical Support, to solve technical challenges and provide our customers with the highest performance motion control products possible.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited college or university.
• Experience: Zero to two years of professional, post-graduation experience focusing on embedded software/firmware development.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency with C/C++ programming and experience with a hardware description language (e.g., VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog).
• Hardware Awareness: Experience using electronic test instruments (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) to troubleshoot code on physical hardware.
• Location: Must be located in the Pittsburgh area or be willing to relocate to the area. This is a primarily on-site position at our Pittsburgh headquarters with the potential for some hybrid flexibility.
• Legal Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States currently and in the future without employer sponsorship. Aerotech does not provide US work authorization sponsorship for this position. OPT and CPT visa holders are not eligible.

What Will Separate You from the Rest?

• An understanding of object-oriented programming in C++ tailored for time-critical, hard real-time embedded systems.
• Hands‑on experience developing firmware for Texas Instruments DSPs.
• Experience with FPGA development using VHDL and Vivado Design Suite.
• Working knowledge of digital signal processing techniques and feedback control systems.
• Familiarity with Git version control and Atlassian Jira issue tracking software.
• Relevant professional or design experience from a co‑op, internship, design team, or full‑time role.

Benefits

Aerotech has been advancing industries with our precision motion technology for more than 50 years. Our employees are our future, and we continue to grow by investing in our employees through continuous paid on‑the‑job training in a clean and climate‑controlled environment, while providing the following exceptional benefits and more!

• Competitive compensation
• Bi‑annual bonus
• Annual raise eligibility
• UPMC Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Trust
• 401k
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Must be authorized to work in the US currently and in the future without employer sponsorship.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veteran or disability status.