Firmware Engineer - Quantum Sensing & Embedded

Vector Atomic; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Atomic is seeking a Firmware Engineer to join a cross‑functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware developers at our Pleasanton, CA office. You will design, implement, and verify embedded software for ST microcontrollers and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs, developing low‑level control algorithms for high‑precision sensing instruments.

You will work closely with hardware engineers throughout the product lifecycle, from schematic reviews to board bring‑up and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with embedded systems coursework, lab, or internship experience; other technical degrees considered with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ code for small embedded processors.
• Proficiency writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware for embedded MCUs using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments.
• Experience developing scripts in Python, Perl, or similar languages.
• Hands-on experience using test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters) to validate firmware performance.
• Proven ability to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees and asylees.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware engineers to design and deliver next-generation quantum instruments.
• Write and verify embedded firmware for ST microcontrollers, including COTS devices and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs.
• Implement control algorithms critical to the operation of high-precision sensing instruments.
• Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal and other devices, working directly from electronic schematics.
• Partner with hardware engineers to support board testing and hardware bring-up activities.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement by authoring task tickets in GitHub and participating in code reviews, project reviews, and retrospectives.
• Clearly document and communicate your work through written and verbal channels with coworkers and collaborators.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS / bare-metal

Python/Perl scripting

Debugging with tools

Multithreaded firmware

Test equipment usage

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Function generators

In-circuit debugging tools

Job description

Vector Atomic is seeking a Firmware Engineer to join a cross‑functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware developers at our Pleasanton, CA office. You will design, implement, and verify embedded software for ST microcontrollers and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs, developing low‑level control algorithms for high‑precision sensing instruments.

You will work closely with hardware engineers throughout the product lifecycle, from schematic reviews to board bring‑up and