Embedded Firmware Engineer (USB-C, USB-PD)

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick"

Job summary

Actalent seeks an Embedded Firmware Engineer to join our Bellevue, WA hardware team for a contract-to-hire role. You will develop and debug firmware on 32-bit ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers, implement USB-C/PD behavior, and collaborate with hardware engineers on bring-up and validation.

You will configure I2C/SPI/UART peripherals, read datasheets to map registers, and debug with scopes and analyzers. This hybrid Bellevue role offers $80–$116/hr and a path to permanent employment.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in embedded C on 32-bit MCUs (ARM Cortex-M).
• Understanding of USB-C/USB-PD, including power roles and negotiation.
• Experience with I2C/SPI/UART peripheral communication and debugging.
• Hands-on hardware bring-up from power-on to firmware run.
• Ability to read datasheets and schematics to configure parts from registers.
• Proficient with bench debugging tools (oscilloscopes, analyzers, SWD/JTAG).
• Proficient with Git for version control.

Responsibilities

• Bring up new PCBs by validating power and clocks, debugging firmware on hardware.
• Develop and debug embedded C firmware for ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
• Configure and drive companion ICs over I2C/SPI/UART.
• Implement and debug USB-C / USB-PD behavior and power negotiation.
• Debug with bench tools (oscilloscopes, analyzers, multimeters, SWD/JTAG).
• Document configurations from datasheets and schematics.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to isolate hardware vs firmware issues.

Skills

Embedded C on ARM Cortex-M

USB-C/USB-PD

I2C/SPI/UART peripheral communication

Hardware bring-up & debugging

Datasheets & schematics reading

SWD/JTAG Debugging

Git version control

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic/Protocol analyzers

UART debuggers (JTAG/SWD)

Git

Job description

Job Title: Embedded Firmware Engineer (USB-C, PD)

Job Description

We are seeking an embedded firmware engineer to join our team in developing cutting-edge hardware centered around USB-C Power Delivery controllers. You will play a crucial role in transforming bare PCBs into production-quality firmware. This position involves writing and debugging firmware on 32-bit ARM microcontrollers, configuring companion ICs over I2C/SPI/UART, and collaborating closely with our hardware team.

Responsibilities

• Bring up new PCBs by validating power and clocks, connecting debuggers, enabling peripherals, and running firmware on new hardware.
• Develop and debug embedded C firmware on ARM Cortex-M-class microcontrollers.
• Configure and drive companion ICs over I2C or other peripheral buses.
• Implement and debug USB-C / USB-PD behavior, including power negotiation, source/sink roles, and fault handling.
• Perform debugging at the bench using tools such as oscilloscopes, protocol/logic analyzers, multimeters, and SWD/JTAG.
• Work from datasheets, register tables, and schematics to document configurations and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to isolate hardware versus firmware issues.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in embedded C on 32-bit microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M or similar), including interrupts, register-level peripheral work, and development under flash/RAM constraints.
• Understanding of USB-C/USB-PD, including source/sink/DRP roles and power contract negotiation.
• Experience with I2C/SPI/UART peripheral/companion-IC communication, configuration, and debugging.
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, from power-on to running firmware or debugging firmware against real hardware.
• Ability to read and interpret datasheets and schematics to configure parts from register tables and confirm pin/power connections.
• Competence in using standard bench debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic/protocol analyzers, SWD/JTAG debuggers, and UART logging.
• Proficiency with Git for version control.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Cypress/Infineon MCU SDK/IDE and its middleware, such as ModusToolbox or STM32Cube, including creating/customizing board support packages.
• Experience with firmware update/bootloader work, such as DFU or equivalent, including building and flashing update images.
• Knowledge of power-path or regulator firmware, including VBUS control, fault detection/recovery, and enable/soft-start sequencing.
• Experience with USB subsystems, including hubs, DisplayPort Alt Mode, redrivers/retimers, or billboard devices.
• Familiarity with USB-IF PD compliance/USB-C requirements.

Work Environment

This position offers a flexible 3-day work schedule in an office environment. You will have the opportunity to be part of an early-stage team in Bellevue, contributing to the development of some of the world's most advanced technology.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bellevue, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $116.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Bellevue,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.