Embedded FPGA Firmware Engineer

ACTalent; Wauwatosa (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, 401K

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Embedded FPGA Firmware Engineer in Wisconsin to design, implement, and maintain firmware for VFDs, DC/DC converters, and electric motors. You will develop HDL for FPGA designs, write embedded C/C++ for microcontrollers, and collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure robust, high-performance power electronics solutions.

The role requires 5+ years in firmware/FPGA development, experience with Vivado/Vitis, MATLAB/System Generator, and strong problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on control of DC/DC converters and electric motors.
• Minimum of 5+ years of related experience in firmware, embedded software, or FPGA development.
• Strong in FPGA firmware development and its application to engineering and power electronics problems.
• Hands-on experience writing, simulating, and debugging HDL code for FPGA designs, preferably using Verilog.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded software development on microcontrollers.
• Experience writing and debugging microcontroller code that interfaces with FPGA-based systems.
• Experience with RTOS in embedded environments.
• Experience using Git for version control and collaborative software development.
• Understanding of system-level design trade-offs and resource constraints for microcontrollers and FPGAs.
• Experience with motor control and electric motor applications, including VFDs and DC/DC converter control.
• Strong process orientation and discipline, with demonstrated use of structured problem-solving tools such as 5-Why Analysis and 8D methodologies.
• Ability to document technical work clearly including code comments, design documents, and test reports.
• Ability to lead technical efforts on projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, debug, and support firmware that controls DC/DC converters and electric motors.
• Develop, write, simulate, and debug HDL code for FPGA designs, ensuring robust and efficient implementations.
• Write and debug embedded microcontroller code that interfaces with FPGA-based systems.
• Design and develop reusable software and system components and integrate them into both existing and new designs.
• Adhere to coding standards, revision control practices, and configuration management processes (Git).
• Conduct and participate in code and design reviews to ensure quality and maintainability.
• Incorporate customer feedback to enhance product performance and usability.
• Document designs with comments, technical reports, and descriptions for long-term maintainability.
• Track, analyze, and resolve reported bugs with thorough testing and verification.
• Collaborate with electrical hardware engineers to ensure software/hardware compatibility.
• Serve as technical lead on projects and coordinate with stakeholders to meet deliverables.
• Maintain focus on customer satisfaction and product reliability in development activities.
• Assist team members with budgets and schedules on projects.
• Foster open communication across engineering, sales, operations, and quality.
• Engage in continuous learning, standardization, and design for manufacturability in an industrial setting.
• Ensure safety rules and housekeeping standards in the work area.

Skills

Electrical engineering knowledge

FPGA firmware development

C/C++ embedded software

Verilog/VHDL

RTOS experience

Git/version control

DSP/mower motor control

problem-solving / 8D / 5-Why

Education

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Vivado

Vitis

MATLAB/System Generator

Git

Verilog

Job description

Job Title: Embedded FPGA Firmware Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining firmware and embedded software algorithms that operate precision variable frequency drives (VFDs), DC/DC converters, and electric motors. You will work at the intersection of FPGA, microcontroller, and power electronics technologies, collaborating closely with electrical hardware engineers and cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, high-performance products for industrial applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, debug, and support firmware that controls DC/DC converters and electric motors.
• Develop, write, simulate, and debug HDL code for FPGA designs, ensuring robust and efficient implementations.
• Write and debug embedded microcontroller code that interfaces with FPGA-based systems.
• Design and develop reusable software and system components and integrate them into both existing and new designs.
• Adhere to established coding standards, revision control practices, and configuration management processes, including the use of Git.
• Conduct and actively participate in code and design reviews to ensure quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.
• Solicit and incorporate feedback from customers and end users to enhance product performance and usability.
• Document designs with clear comments, technical reports, and descriptions that support long-term maintainability and knowledge sharing.
• Track, analyze, and resolve reported bugs, performing thorough testing and verification to confirm the effectiveness of fixes.
• Work closely with electrical hardware engineers during planning, design, and development to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility.
• Serve as a technical lead on assigned projects, coordinating with other functional groups and customers to meet deliverables and resolve technical issues.
• Maintain a strong focus on customer satisfaction and product reliability in all development activities.
• Assist team members in achieving project-level budgets and schedules on assigned projects.
• Foster open communication and collaboration among technical and business functions, including engineering, sales, operations, and quality.
• Participate in a culture of continuous learning, standardization, and high-quality design with a focus on manufacturability and robustness.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and work rules and regulations, and support the maintenance of housekeeping and organizational standards in the work area.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on control of DC/DC converters and electric motors.
• Minimum of 5+ years of related experience in firmware, embedded software, or FPGA development.
• Strong in FPGA firmware development and its application to engineering and power electronics problems.
• Hands‑on experience writing, simulating, and debugging HDL code for FPGA designs, preferably using Verilog.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded software development on microcontrollers.
• Experience writing and debugging microcontroller code that interfaces with FPGA-based systems.
• Experience working with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded environments.
• Experience using Git for version control and collaborative software development.
• Understanding of system‑level design trade‑offs and resource constraints when designing software and hardware for microcontrollers and FPGAs.
• Experience with motor control and electric motor applications, including VFDs and DC/DC converter control.
• Strong process orientation and discipline, with demonstrated use of structured problem‑solving tools such as 5‑Why Analysis and 8D methodologies.
• Ability to document technical work clearly and thoroughly, including code comments, design documents, and test reports.
• Ability to lead technical efforts on projects and collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Vivado and Vitis toolchains for FPGA development and embedded system integration.
• Experience with MATLAB, System Generator, and similar mathematical design suites for modeling and algorithm development.
• Experience with low‑voltage drives, DC/DC converters, and control systems.
• Familiarity with power electronics equipment, including switchgear, soft starters, and VFDs.
• Experience working in a power‑electronics and industrial packaging manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical skills in electrical engineering and power electronics, particularly in the context of motor drives and converters.
• Demonstrated track record of creating and applying standard engineering processes and problem‑solving techniques.
• Interest in continuous improvement, standardization, and design for manufacturability in an industrial setting.

Work Environment

This position is part of a hardware and firmware engineering organization focused on power electronics, variable frequency drives, and industrial control products. The role is based in a dedicated engineering facility with collaboration across hardware, firmware, and other technical and business functions. Work involves regular interaction with electrical hardware engineers and may require occasional trips between engineering and manufacturing sites in the region. The team uses modern development tools and environments, including FPGA toolchains such as Vivado and Vitis, mathematical design suites such as MATLAB/System Generator, embedded C/C++ toolchains, real-time operating systems, and Git for version control. The environment emphasizes safety, adherence to work rules, and maintaining clean, organized workspaces. Standard engineering office and lab attire is appropriate, with additional safety gear used as required in lab or manufacturing areas. The organization plans to transition to a new engineering center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin in the future, offering an updated and collaborative workspace.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Wauwatosa, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

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.

Full Company Benefits- Health, Dental, Vision, 401K

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Wauwatosa,WI.

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.