Embedded Systems Engineer (Linux & HDL)

First Rf; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four weeks PTO per year

Hybrid work option

Tuition reimbursement

Up to 6% 401(k) match

Healthcare, dental, and vision plans

Job summary

FIRST RF in Boulder, CO is seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer to design and develop active RF systems for next-generation products. You’ll work on software, firmware, and gate-ware solutions, with Linux and HDL as core skills.

The position offers a fast-paced, collaborative environment and risk-aware workflows. Ideal candidates have strong system-level understanding, citizenship eligibility for security clearance, and a track record in FPGA/SoC development and embedded Linux.

Qualifications

• Must have U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and verify FPGA logic using HDL
• Develop embedded software for onboard processors, supporting both bare-metal and embedded Linux environments
• Build, customize, and deploy embedded Linux systems for SoC platforms
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and hardware validation to ensure performance, stability, and timing closure
• Implement and optimize high-speed communication protocols
• Conduct board bring-up and hardware–software co-debugging, using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, in-system debug cores, and related tools
• Optimize architecture, resource utilization, throughput, and latency to meet stringent performance and reliability requirements
• Participate in full lifecycle development, from system architecture and requirements definition through prototyping, validation, and integration
• Document designs, interfaces, and test procedures, ensuring clear communication across hardware, firmware, and software teams
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineers (embedded, RF, mechanical) to define system requirements and deliver integrated solutions

Skills

HDL

Linux

Python

Schematic reading

Hardware background

PCIe

SPI

I2C

AXI

JESD

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Yocto

Pentalinux

Xilink

RFSoc

Zynq platforms

RF test equipment

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: FIRST RF Corporation - Boulder, CO 80301

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $250,000.00

Travel Percentage: Negligible

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Engineering

FIRST RF is hiring a talented Embedded Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be a key contributor to the design and development of active RF systems for our next-generation products. You’ll be part of a small, collaborative team who is responsible for developing software, firmware, and gate-ware solutions. For this role you will need to have skillsets in Linux and/or Hardware Description Language (HDL). We’re seeking candidates with a strong desire for a system-level understanding who can evolve to influence high-level design decisions and internal tooling.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and verify FPGA logic using HDL
• Develop embedded software for onboard processors, supporting both bare-metal and embedded Linux environments
• Build, customize, and deploy embedded Linux systems for SoC platforms
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and hardware validation to ensure performance, stability, and timing closure.
• Implement and optimize high-speed communication protocols
• Conduct board bring-up and hardware–software co-debugging, using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, in-system debug cores, and related tools
• Optimize architecture, resource utilization, throughput, and latency to meet stringent performance and reliability requirements
• Participate in full lifecycle development, from system architecture and requirements definition through prototyping, validation, and integration
• Document designs, interfaces, and test procedures, ensuring clear communication across hardware, firmware, and software teams
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineers (embedded, RF, mechanical) to define system requirements and deliver integrated solutions

QualificationsRequired Education and Experience

Must have U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Technical Skills

• Proficiency reading electrical schematics
• Proficiency with common test equipment including multi-meters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Proficiency in a technical programming language such as Python
• Strong hardware background

Specialized Skillsets – one or both required

Linux

• Experience with Linux user-space and kernel driver development.
• Proficiency with embedded Linux build systems
• Interest in learning HDL

Hardware Description Language (HDL)

• A strong HDL skillset with experience implementing DSP blocks and common serial interfaces (e.g., PCIe, SPI, I2C, AXI, Wishbone, Aurora, JESD)
• Experience developing novel IP (e.g., DSP, packetization) and a proficient understanding of signal processing fundamentals is required
• Interest in learning Linux user-space and kernel driver development

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• Experience with Yocto and Pentalinux
• Familiarity with Xilink, RFSoc, Zynq platforms
• Experience with RF test equipment including phase noise analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, and power meters

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. Typical office hours include Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; however, these hours may vary based on workload and the manager’s discretion.

Travel

About 10% travel is expected for this position.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. The employee will also regularly be seated at a desk and using a computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About FIRST RF

FIRST RF is a fast-growing, multi-discipline, privately owned small business focused on engineering and manufacturing of advanced technologies - specifically in antennas and radio frequency (RF) systems. We are an energetic team empowered with world-class facilities and resources. We promote a culture which prioritizes innovation and responsiveness. By making bold investments in the development of groundbreaking technologies, FIRST RF has fielded award-winning products ranging from revolutionary passive antennas to highly complex, active antenna systems.

Benefits Summary

• We offer all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flexible scheduling, hybrid work, tuition reimbursement, up to 6% 401(k) match, and healthcare, dental, and vision plans.

AAP/EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, assignment, re-assignment, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, and termination. The Company prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment based on race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex (including same sex); sexual orientation; gender identity; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability or handicap; citizenship status; service member status; or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We support protected veterans and individuals with disabilities through our affirmative action program.