Firmware Engineer

Synapse ITS; Plano (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Synapse ITS in Plano, TX seeks a Firmware Engineer to develop and support traffic products for accessible tech. You will maintain embedded software, own design through launch, and work with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment.

The role requires 5+ years in embedded development, strong C and assembly skills, and familiarity with ARM architectures and security basics. Expect hands-on debugging and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 5+ years embedded software development experience.
• Proficient in C; assembly for microcontrollers.
• Experience with RTOS and real-time development.
• Solid knowledge of communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, I2S, UART, CAN, USB, BLE, Ethernet).
• Ability to read schematics and debug hardware with test equipment.
• Register-level peripheral programming experience.
• Working knowledge of C++ and IoT principles.
• Experience with ARM architectures (e.g., Cortex M4/M7).
• Familiarity with security basics (TrustZone, certs).

Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance embedded software for existing products.
• Own the design cycle from requirements through launch.
• Design, develop, test, and debug embedded software.
• Integrate and validate new designs and changes.
• Participate in design and code reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Support Tech Support with product knowledge.
• Contribute to an agile work environment.

Skills

Embedded software development

C programming

Assembly programming

RTOS experience

Real-time development

Peripheral hardware programming

C++ knowledge

IoT concepts

ARM architectures

Security basics

Analytical/problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelors Degree in Electrical/Electronic/CS/CE

Tools

Microchip PIC

Freescale/NXP

ST Microelectronics

Cortex M3/M0

Atmel

Oscilloscope/Logic analyzers

In-circuit emulators

Job description

Description

The Firmware Engineer will develop and support our industry-leading traffic products. The successful candidate will help create products that allow the visually impaired to safely experience the world on their own terms.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain and enhance embedded software for existing product lines.
• Own the embedded software system design cycle from requirements through launch and beyond.
• Design, develop, code, test, and debug embedded software.
• Integrate, verify, and validate new product designs and design changes.
• Perform design and code reviews.
• Interface with a cross-functional engineering team.
• Support the Tech Support team with intimate product knowledge.
• Contribute to a fun and innovative work environment.
• Work in an Agile environment using Atlassian toolset

Requirements

Education: Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Technical Experience & Skills:

• 5+ years’ experience in embedded software development and writing C and/or assembly code for microcontrollers such as Microchip PIC, Freescale/NXP, ST, Cortex M3/M0 and Atmel.
• Mastery of C language programming as it pertains to an embedded environment.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture and embedded software development best practices, with significant experience in low level development and programming.
• Real time development experience with and without an RTOS.
• Knowledge of communication interfaces, such as SPI, I2C, I2S, UART, CAN, USB, BLE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet.
• Ability to read schematics to troubleshoot, debug and bring up new hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers and in-circuit emulators.
• Experience programing peripheral hardware at the register level.
• Working knowledge of C++.
• Working knowledge of IoT principles and methods
• Familiarity with OOP design principles.
• Familiarity with various ARM architectures (e.g. Cortex M4, M7, etc.).
• Familiarity with security basics (e.g. TrustZone, security certificates, etc.).

Soft Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational and follow-up skills.
• Solid problem-solving skills. Highly technical, quickly grasping how things work. Presents technical concepts, ideas, and information in terms that both engineers and non-engineers can understand.
• Motivated by continuous learning and development.
• Functions well in a small company/startup environment. (High visibility, accountability and development velocity)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and collaboratively with a cross functional team.
• Disciplined engineering approach.
• Differentiates value added activities from waste.
• Demonstrates systems thinking.

Physical/Mental Requirements

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and operate an office computer/laptop most of the day. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounter while performing this job's essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Travel: Up to 20% travel required