Manager/Lead Firmware Engineer

Metric; Union City (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Metric, a medical device company, is seeking a hands-on Managerial/Lead Firmware Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area to guide and contribute to firmware development for implantable neurostimulation systems.

The role requires owning firmware architecture, reviewing designs, mentoring engineers, and ensuring high-quality delivery across hardware–firmware interfaces. You will lead coding standards and perform root-cause analyses in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–12 years embedded firmware engineering experience, preferably medical device.

Responsibilities

• Lead firmware development across implant, external charger/accessory, and related components.
• Own firmware architecture, system design, and technical decision-making including low-level implementation.
• Establish and enforce coding standards and architecture patterns for high-quality, maintainable code.
• Engage in daily hands-on coding, implement new features, write low-level drivers, optimize power consumption, and improve reliability.
• Perform in-depth firmware debugging with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD, and other diagnostics tools.
• Drive root-cause analysis of complex system issues involving firmware, analog, sensors, RF modules and power electronics.
• Collaborate with Electrical Engineering to review schematics and HW–FW interfaces.
• Lead system-level debugging sessions with multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Embedded firmware engineering

STM32

Nordic Micro

Debugging skills

Documentation

Tools

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzers

JTAG/SWD

Job description

Medical device company developing a next-generation implantable neurostimulation system. We are seeking a Managerial/Lead Firmware Engineer who is both a hands-on technical expert and a strong team leader. This role will provide technical direction, architectural leadership, and day-to-day oversight of the firmware team.

The ideal candidate combines deep embedded firmware expertise with the ability to mentor engineers, review designs, coordinate cross-functional work, and ensure consistent, high-quality firmware delivery across all system components. They will have a strong technology background, a broad view of technologies and their capabilities, and a deep understanding of the pros/cons of different technical approaches.

The lead firmware engineer will be very hands-on, able to program and debug issues in real-time, and solve complex problems.

Position Type

• Full-time position.
• On-site, five days per week in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Salary: $200,000-$230,000 +bonus & equity

Technical Leadership & Ownership

• Serve as the technical lead and primary hands-on contributor for all firmware development activities across the implant, external charger/accessory, and related accessories.
• Own the firmware architecture, system design, and technical decision-making, including low-level implementation details.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, architecture patterns, and system-level design reviews to ensure high-quality, maintainable code.
• Engage in daily hands-on coding, implementing new features, writing low-level drivers, optimizing power consumption, and improving system reliability.
• Perform in-depth firmware debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD, and low-level hardware diagnostics tools.
• Drive root-cause analysis of complex system issues involving interactions between firmware, analog circuitry, sensors, RF modules, and power electronics.

Electrical System Integration

• Apply a deep understanding of electrical design to ensure the firmware correctly interacts with analog, digital, RF, and power subsystems.
• Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering to review schematics, interpret board-level designs, evaluate component selection, and define HW–FW interface specs.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and system test teams to ensure cohesive system behavior and seamless product integration.
• Lead system-level debugging sessions involving multi-disciplinary collaboration to rapidly identify and resolve issues affecting implant and external accessory performance.

Quality, Documentation & Compliance

• Ensure firmware development complies with IEC 62304, internal design controls, and clinical release requirements.
• Own documentation for firmware design, verification, validation, and risk management (ISO 14971).

Qualification Requirements

Required

• 7–12 years of embedded firmware engineering experience (medical device preferred).
• Significant hands-on experience with MCU firmware, particularly STM32 and Nordic Micro.
• Deep knowledge of electrical circuits, power systems, and sensor interfacing.
• Excellent debugging skills across analog, digital, RF, and firmware layers.
• Strong documentation ability and familiarity with design control environments.

Preferred

• Experience with implantable devices, neurostimulators, or Class II/III medical systems.
• Familiarity with IEC 60601, IEC 62366, ISO 14971, and safety-critical firmware development.
• Experience with low-power wireless power transfer, coil systems, or RF modulation.
• Experience with automated unit testing frameworks (Ceedling, Unity, etc.).

Travel Requirement

• Ability to travel within the Bay Area required.