Electrical / Computer Engineer - Firmware & FPGA

Aerotech, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Biannual bonus

Rich health plans

Employee Stock Ownership Trust

401k

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development assistance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Aerotech, Inc. is seeking an entry‑level firmware engineer to join a small sub‑team within the Electrical Engineering R&D group.

You will design, implement, and test embedded C++ code and VHDL for DSP/FPGA systems, collaborating with veterans to optimize high‑precision motion control software. Responsibilities include testing on real hardware, debugging with scopes and logic analyzers, and tight integration with hardware and software teams to deliver reliable, high‑performance motion control

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical/Computer Engineering from ABET-accredited college/university.
• Zero to two years of post‑graduate embedded software/firmware experience.
• Proficiency with C/C++ and hardware description language (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Experience using electronic test instruments to troubleshoot code on hardware.
• On-site Pittsburgh area location with potential for some hybrid flexibility.
• US work authorization without sponsorship (OPT/CPT not eligible).

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test embedded firmware modules in C++ on DSP hardware.
• Develop, simulate, and debug VHDL code for FPGA‑DSP interactions.
• Test firmware on motion control hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other equipment.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and mechanical engineering teams to meet performance targets.
• Conduct rigorous testing to verify features operate within design parameters.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded software

VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog

FPGA testing

Schematic reading

Test equipment

Education

BS/MS in Electrical/Computer Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

Vivado

TI DSPs

Git/Jira

Job description

• Rich health plans

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 like 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.

The Company is collecting the information requested in this employment application for purposes of evaluating your suitability for hire by the Company. The Company will share the information that you provide in this employment application only with Company management officials who are involved in the hiring process or who are otherwise involved in making employment‑related decisions on behalf of the Company.

Aerotech, Inc. is providing this notice to applicants regarding our use of Automated Decision‑Making Technology (ADMT). We use these tools to assist in evaluating job applications and identifying qualified candidates for our open positions.

We utilize ADMT for initial screening purposes through automated "knockout questions" to determine if a candidate meets the minimum mandatory requirements for a role.

You have the right to opt‐out of ADMT by applying using the following link: General Application without ADMT