Firmware/Software Engineer

Optical Zonu Corp; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Optical Zonu Corp. is seeking a Firmware/Embedded Software Engineer to join a small team in Los Angeles, CA. You will design, implement, test, and maintain embedded firmware in C, develop Python tools, and support production through the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate blends strong software fundamentals with practical hardware programming and the ability to work on legacy codebases. You will collaborate across firmware, electrical engineering, and production teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline.
• Strong proficiency in the C programming language.
• Experience with embedded software for microcontrollers and hardware.
• Ability to read schematics and work with lab tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and maintain embedded firmware primarily in C.
• Perform continuation engineering on existing products and lifecycle support.
• Debug and resolve firmware, software, and system integration issues.
• Develop supporting tools and test applications in Python.
• Support manufacturing with test platforms, diagnostic tools, and production software.
• Participate in architecture and design discussions for maintainability and reliability.
• Contribute to code reviews and produce design documentation.

Skills

C programming

Embedded software

Debugging complex systems

Code readability & documentation

Hardware interaction

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline

Tools

GIT

JIRA

Python

Oscilloscope / lab equipment

Job description

Job Description Firmware / Software Engineer

Optical Zonu Corp. is a leader in the RF-Over-Fiber telecommunication market, developing whole system solutions. We have a modest engineering team that designs, manufactures, assembles, and tests these systems in house.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health benefits
• An upbeat, challenging, and professional working environment with growth opportunities.

We are seeking a Firmware or Embedded Software Engineer to join our small engineering team. This role will work closely with other firmware engineers, electrical engineers, and production personnel, to develop, maintain, test, and support RF-over-fiber telecommunication products through their lifecycle.

The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with practical hardware programming experience, delivering practical results while maintaining engineering rigor. They understand how to build maintainable, testable, and reliable software, working directly with electronic hardware. This position involves both new product development and continuation engineering of existing products, requiring curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively with legacy codebases of varying maturity levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and maintain embedded firmware primarily in C
• Perform continuation engineering on existing products, including troubleshooting, feature enhancements, defect resolution, and lifecycle support
• Investigate, debug, and resolve firmware, software, and system-integration problems using appropriate tools and methodologies
• Develop supporting tools, test applications, and manufacturing utilities in Python
• Support manufacturing and production teams by developing and maintaining test platforms, diagnostic tools, and production software
• Speak to and participate in architecture and software design discussions that promote maintainability, modularity, and reliability
• Participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, improve code quality, and elevation of engineering practices
• Produce clear documentation, test and validation procedures, and technical design information, and of the firmware and software tools

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline
• Strong proficiency in the C Programming language
• Strong experience developing software for microcontrollers, embedded hardware, and PC-applications
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including: Abstraction, Decoupling and CohesionDesign Patterns and StructuresUML and Software DocumentationOptimizations for Microcontrollers
• Experience debugging complex software and firmware systems
• Refactoring legacy systems while preserving functionality and reliability
• Ability to understand electronic schematics and principles
• Hands-on experience using laboratory equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, or similar tools
• Writing Clean, Readable, and Well-Documented Code
• Strong written communication skills and commitment to producing well-documented, supportable deliverables
• Ability and adaptability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded systems and real-time firmware: PIC32M, PIC18F, Freescale, and SiLabs MCUs
• Experience writing Python utility applications, automation tools, or test software
• Experience interfacing with I2C, UART, SPI, USB, ADCs, DACs, sensors, and communication peripherals
• Experience working with legacy production and inherited codebases
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, or laboratory automation
• Familiarity with manufacturing test systems, automated testing, or production support
• Exposure to telecommunications, optical communications, or RF systems, digital and analog control loops
• Experience developing test fixtures, hardware validation tools, or engineering utilities
• Hardware Experience is a plus: Schematic Development, Circuit Troubleshooting
• Experience working with version control systems (GIT) and collaborative development workflows (JIRA)

Company Description

Optical Zonu Corporation specializes in unique fiber optic transport solutions for communication.