Firmware Engineer

BRADY WORLDWIDE INC; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive insurance coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Employee Resource Groups

Matching Gift program

Job summary

Brady Corporation, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is seeking a Firmware Engineer to lead embedded firmware and software development for thermal inkjet technologies. The role focuses on core firmware design, SDKs and APIs for external kits, and close collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-performance printing systems.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in embedded design, strong C/C++/C# and Python skills, and a readiness to learn FPGA programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 5+ years in embedded systems design, including developing customer-facing SDKs, APIs, or hardware development kits (HDKs).
• Proficient in C, C++, C#, and Python; experience with Azure DevOps or similar software management tools.
• Proficiency utilizing oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and standard communication protocols.
• Strong understanding of real-time control loops, thermal dynamics, and high-speed memory management.
• Experience or desire to learn FPGA programming using Verilog or VHDL.
• Printhead control systems (thermal inkjet technology, drop-on-demand, or piezoelectric printing).

Responsibilities

• Firmware & Software Development: Design, implement, debug, and optimize firmware for embedded microcontrollers managing thermal inkjet cartridge operations.
• Customer Development Kits: Architect end-to-end solutions for external dev kits, including desktop applications and APIs that interface with embedded hardware.
• System Integration: Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and FPGA engineers to optimize printing system performance.
• Revision Control: Manage software development lifecycle, automated testing pipelines, and version control.
• Technical Leadership: Define firmware architecture, conduct code reviews, draft technical documentation for external customers, and establish best practices for the engineering team.

Skills

C

C++

C#

Python

Azure DevOps

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

Verilog

VHDL

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzers

Job description

Brady Corporation is seeking a Firmware Engineer to join our Electrical Engineering team based in our Lexington, Kentucky office. The position will lead the development of embedded systems used to drive our thermal inkjet technologies. In this role, you will design the core firmware and companion software that drives both our internal printing platforms and external customer-facing development kits. Your work will directly enable customers to integrate and innovate with our thermal inkjet cartridges, requiring a deep understanding of hardware-software co-design, high-speed data processing, and robust system architecture.

At our Lexington, Kentucky site, we design and manufacture a wide array of products utilizing in-house microfluidic technology. Our employees are experts in microfluidic design and it's application and commercialization, and play a key role in further developing Brady's direct part marking technologies.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Firmware & Software Development: Design, implement, debug, and optimize firmware for embedded microcontrollers managing thermal inkjet cartridge operations
• Customer Development Kits: Architect end-to-end solutions for external dev kits, including developing robust, user-friendly desktop applications and APIs that seamlessly interface with the embedded hardware
• System Integration: Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and FPGA engineers to optimize the performance of printing systems
• Revision Control: Manage the software development lifecycle, automated testing pipelines, and version control
• Technical Leadership: Define the firmware architecture, conduct code reviews, draft technical documentation for external customers, and establish best practices for the engineering team

What You Will Need To Be Successful:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 5+ years in embedded systems design, including developing customer-facing SDKs, APIs, or hardware development kits (HDKs).
• Proficient in C, C++, C#, and Python; experience with Azure DevOps or similar software management tools.
• Proficiency utilizing oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and standard communication protocols
• Strong understanding of real-time control loops, thermal dynamics, and high-speed memory management
• Experience or desire to learn:
• FPGA programming using Verilog or VHDL
• Printhead control systems (thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology, drop-on-demand, or piezoelectric printing)

About Us:

Who we are:
Brady makes products that make the world a safer and more productive place. We are a global leader in safety, identification and compliance solutions for a diverse range of workplaces. From the depths of the ocean to outer space, from the factory floor to the delivery room - we're just about everywhere you look. Companies around the world trust Brady because of our deep expertise and knowledge across a wide range of industries and applications - powered by our world-class manufacturing capabilities.

We have a diverse customer base in industries including electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, healthcare, aerospace and more. As of July 31, 2025, Brady employed approximately 6,400 people in our worldwide businesses. Our fiscal 2025 sales were approximately $1.51 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. You can learn more about us at www.bradycorp.com .

Why work at Brady:
A career at Brady means working for a global company that has thrived for over 100 years, and whose innovative spirit drives our future growth.

Brady offers competitive pay and great benefits, supported by a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. We strive to foster an inclusive workplace where diverse talent can learn, grow, and succeed. And with deeply rooted values, no matter where you work at Brady, you'll feel connected to the community through our charitable contributions and opportunities to give back.

Our headquarters are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but we have more than 70 locations globally, giving our employees the opportunity to work with colleagues around the world.

• Comprehensive insurance coverage starting on your first day of employment, including medical, dental, and vision
• Generous 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunity to participate in incentive programs for all full-time employees
• Family planning benefits including paid parental leave, fertility coverage, adoption and surrogacy assistance
• Scholarship program for children of Brady employees
• A variety of Employee Resource Groups to provide you with unique networking, development, and volunteer opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program and related wellness programs (mental and behavioral health, family counseling, financial management)
• Dress-for-your-day dress code
• Charitable contributions matched through Brady's Matching Gift program

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