Principal Firmware Engineer

MKS Instruments, Inc.; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Life insurance

Holidays

Vacation days

Parental leave (6 weeks)

Job summary

MKS Instruments, Inc. is seeking a Principal Firmware Engineer to lead the architecture, design and validation of embedded firmware for advanced throttle valve products used in semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance vacuum systems.

You will mentor firmware engineers, drive best practices, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product performance and reliability while advancing development efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for real-time embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions.
• Establish firmware development best practices including coding standards, design reviews and automated tests.

Skills

Embedded firmware

C/C++

Leadership

Debugging tools

Cross-functional

Version control

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Emulators

Oscilloscopes

Bus analyzers

Job description

Principal Firmware Engineer A Day in Your Life at MKS: As a Principal Firmware Engineer on MKS’s Valves Engineering team, you will play a critical technical leadership role within a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment. You will design and develop embedded firmware that powers advanced throttle valve products used in semiconductor manufacturing and other high-performance vacuum applications.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Leading the architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional team to understand customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions that enhance product performance and customer success.
• Establishing and driving firmware development best practices, including coding standards, design reviews, and automated test frameworks.
• Providing technical leadership, mentorship and guidance to firmware engineers across the organization.
• Driving continuous improvement in firmware quality, reliability, and development efficiency.

Skills You Bring:

• Education: BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development, including control algorithms.
• Demonstrated technical leadership with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for real-time embedded systems.
• Expertise in debugging and system bring-up, using tools such as emulators, oscilloscopes, and communication bus analyzers.
• Experience with version control systems and structured software release processes.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have):

• Experience with industrial fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, DeviceNet, or similar.
• Experience with motion control systems, including stepper motors and BLDC motors.
• Strong understanding of feedback control theory, including PID control and tuning.
• Experience with SPI, I2C, UART and other communication protocols.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range: $126,200.00 - 210,350.00 USD per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

• health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• life and disability insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• sick time
• 15 paid vacation days
• 6 weeks fully paid parental leave
• adoption assistance
• tuition reimbursement
• participation in any stock programs
• signing bonus

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law.

MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs.

We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies.

MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] . MKS, it's all about courage, big ideas, and a serious passion for innovation. Winning here is about exploring possibilities, taking action, and solving our customers’ toughest challenges. It's not just a job – it's what you make of it. While you shape your role and make it unique, we invest in you with on‑job and formal training, as well as educational assistance. Curiosity is key at MKS - ask questions, own your path. Our success comes from celebrating the unique skills, diverse perspectives, and lived experience of employees from over 100 countries. The goal is to make sure that everyone feels that they belong. Diversity isn't just a nice-to-have; making sure everyone feels included is a big deal for us.

MKS’s group of ~10,000 employees serves semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. With over 3,800 patents, our products are enabling advancements in 5G, renewable energy & storage, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and big data. We're the behind-the-scenes support for some amazing technology.

MKS Inc., Product Overview