Firmware/PHY Engineer

INSPYR Solutions; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

INSPYR Solutions seeks a Firmware/PHY Engineer in Redmond, WA for an 8+ month contract to advance a satellite broadband system. You will bring up hardware, develop bare-metal C firmware, and build HITL automation to drive lab testing with RF test equipment.

You will work on BLE, SNR/EsNo metrics, and regression testing in a lab environment. Ideal candidates have hands-on experience with RF hardware, early-stage silicon, and lab automation, plus knowledge of interrupts and timing in embedded

Qualifications

• Knowledge of RF/Wireless fundamentals including link budgets and modulation schemes.
• Hands-on embedded firmware development experience on bare-metal systems.
• Experience building HITL test automation for hardware.
• Familiar with lab equipment and RF test instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform post-silicon bring-up and debug of early-stage hardware and embedded systems.
• Develop and modify low-level embedded firmware, primarily in bare-metal C, to support hardware testing.
• Build HITL test automation using Python to drive real hardware and lab equipment.
• Configure and troubleshoot lab setups using VSAs, VSGs, and Rohde & Schwarz instruments.
• Characterize wireless link performance under varying conditions and bench variables.
• Develop automated tests and regression suites for PHY performance (BLER, SNR/EsNo, MCS).
• Create automated test reports with pass/fail results and data summaries.
• Document test frameworks and procedures for broader engineering use.

Skills

RF/wireless basics

Embedded firmware

Bare-metal C

HITL test automation

Lab instrumentation

Tools

VSAs/VSGs

Rohde & Schwarz

Job description

Title: Firmware/PHY Engineer
Location: Redmond, WA (onsite)
Duration: 8+ month contract
Compensation: $70 - 80.00/hr. W2
Work Requirements: US Citizen, GC Holders or Authorized to Work in the U.S.

ABOUT THIS FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

Join an engineering team developing a satellite broadband system that connects satellites in orbit with ground terminals. This team works at the intersection of RF, digital signal processing, embedded firmware, and hardware testing to characterize and improve real-world wireless links.

This is a hands-on, lab-based opportunity where you'll work directly with early-stage silicon and hardware, bringing up new devices, debugging issues, developing firmware, and building automation that replaces manual bench testing. You'll play a key role in making PHY testing more repeatable, scalable, and data-driven.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU

• Perform post-silicon bring-up and debug of early-stage hardware and embedded systems.
• Develop and modify low-level embedded firmware, primarily using bare-metal C , to support hardware testing and characterization.
• Build hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test automation using Python to drive real hardware and laboratory test equipment.
• Configure and troubleshoot lab setups using Vector Signal Analyzers (VSAs), Vector Signal Generators (VSGs), and Rohde & Schwarz equipment .
• Characterize wireless link performance across different operating conditions, accounting for path loss, cabling, attenuation, and other bench variables.
• Develop automated BLER, SNR/EsNo, MCS, and parameter sweeps to evaluate PHY performance and enable repeatable regression testing.
• Create automated test reports with clear pass/fail results, summary statistics, and test data .
• Debug hardware, firmware, and test-setup issues in the lab and identify root causes.
• Document test frameworks and procedures so the broader engineering team can add and execute new test scenarios.
• Apply knowledge of embedded concepts such as interrupts, timing, and hardware/firmware interactions .

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• RF / Wireless Communications Expertise: Strong understanding of wireless communication fundamentals
  • including BLER, SNR/EsNo, modulation and coding schemes (MCS), link budgets, and path loss.
• Embedded Firmware Development: Hands-on experience developing and debugging bare-metal C firmware on embedded hardware
  • including understanding of interrupts, timing, and hardware/firmware interactions.
• Early-stage firmware development: Experience bringing up and debugging new or early-stage silicon, boards, or hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test automation: Has personally built automated test frameworks that drive real hardware.

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience with satellite, aerospace, or broadband communications.
• Experience working in fast-moving, hardware-in-the-loop engineering environments.
• Experience with AI-assisted software development tools.
• Familiarity with DSP, modulation/coding, or PHY-layer performance characterization.
• Hands-on experience with Rohde & Schwarz equipment, VSAs, VSGs, or similar RF test instrumentation.
• Experience developing automated regression testing and pass/fail reporting for hardware or PHY systems.

About INSPYR Solutions

Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a national expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients' business objectives and cultural needs. Our solutions are tailored to each client and include a wide variety of professional services, project, and talent solutions. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at inspyrsolutions.com.

INSPYR Solutions provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status. INSPYR Solutions complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact [e-mail] for assistance. Information collected and processed through your application with INSPYR Solutions (including any job applications you choose to submit) is subject to INSPYR Solutions' Privacy Policy and INSPYR Solutions' AI and Automated Employment Decision Tool Policy: https://www.inspyrsolutions.com/policies/. By submitting an application, you are consenting to being contacted by INSPYR Solutions through phone, email, or text.