Firmware Engineer (Electrical) (Evergreen)

Acron Aviation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Acron Aviation is seeking an early- to mid-career Firmware Engineer to join the surveillance hardware product development team. You will design, develop, verify, and maintain safety-critical firmware for avionics and embedded systems for TCAS and transponder applications in compliance with DO-254 standards.

You will work with hardware engineers, system architects, certification authorities, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure robust design assurance throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 4–9 years' experience.
• Experience with FPGA and firmware design.
• Hands-on avionics, RF, or sensor systems experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain FPGA-based hardware solutions.
• Verify FPGA designs using VHDL/Verilog RTL.
• Perform simulation, debugging, and validation to meet requirements.
• Execute DO-254-based verification and documentation.
• Create and maintain hardware design documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers.

Skills

FPGA design

Firmware design

VHDL/Verilog

RF/sensor systems

DO-254 processes

Education

Bachelors in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Graduate degree (preferred)

Job description

Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety-critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Within Avionics, the Surveillance product line develops and sustains systems that enable aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability. Our portfolio includes TCAS, Mode S transponders, ADS-B, and integrated surveillance solutions deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms. This work is performed in highly regulated environments and demands deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, and RF throughout the full product lifecycle.

Position Summary

We are seeking an early- to mid-career Firmware Engineer to join our surveillance hardware product development team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, verifying, and maintaining safety-critical firmware for avionics and embedded systems for TCAS and transponder applications in compliance with DO-254 standards. You will work closely with hardware engineers, system architects, and certification authorities to ensure robust design assurance processes are followed throughout the product lifecycle. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of FPGA/ASIC development, VHDL/Verilog, and requirements-based verification, with experience developing firmware for FAA/EASA-certified aerospace systems.

You will be involved with multidisciplinary project teams involving mechanical, electrical digital/analog, RF, firmware, and software engineering in planning, designing, prototyping, and testing of avionics systems. Design focus will include surveillance avionics for Air Transport, as well as General Aviation and emerging platforms such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) eVTOL aircraft.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain FPGA-based hardware solutions using industry-standard development tools and methodologies.
• Develop and verify FPGA designs utilizing VHDL and/or Verilog RTL coding techniques.
• Perform simulation, debugging, and validation activities to ensure designs meet functional, performance, and quality requirements.
• Execute requirements-based verification activities and document verification results in accordance with program and certification requirements.
• Apply DO-254 processes, standards, and best practices throughout the airborne electronic hardware development lifecycle.
• Create, maintain, and update hardware design documentation, including Hardware Requirements Documents (HRDs), Hardware Design Documents (HDDs), Hardware Configuration Indexes (HCIAs), and other technical artifacts.
• Prepare and maintain certification documentation, including Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification (PHAC) and related compliance deliverables.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering, quality, certification, and program teams to achieve project objectives.
• Engage directly with internal and external customers to understand technical requirements, identify challenges, and develop actionable solutions.
• Present technical information clearly and effectively in written, verbal, and virtual communication settings.
• Support program execution by participating in design reviews, technical assessments, and problem-resolution activities.Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Travel up to 10% as required to support customers, project activities, and business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and minimum 4 - 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior related experience.
• Prior relevant experience in an engineering discipline with systems engineering principles, including requirements definition, requirements verification, design reviews and documentation, integration, test and demonstration.
• Experience with FPGA and firmware design.
• Hands on experience designing and developing avionics products, RF, or sensor systems.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with and an understanding of aerospace systems, especially in the development of integrated hardware/software products
• Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering
• Awareness of electrical development requirements as they impact firmware and FPGA design
• Experience with RTOS integration and understanding of its implications on hardware design
• Practical understanding of the complexities of RF design, especially in L-band frequency range and application of RF FPGA principles
• Excellent people skills, with experience leading and collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team environment.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, & presentation)
• Knowledge of DO-160 and DO-178
• Experience with Design to Cost and Design for Manufacturability
• Experience effectively supporting production and test of products in a different geographic location
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple programs and responsibilities simultaneously
• Ability to operate and identify appropriate path forward with minimal oversight
• Pilot License or Part 107 certificate

Equal Opportunity Statement

Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affir

Additional Information

Acron Aviation maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where allowed by law. Acron Aviation is an E-Verify employer

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.