Senior Engineering Manager - Firmware

MKS Inc.; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

401(k) with company match

15 paid vacation days

Job summary

MKS Inc. is seeking a Sr. Engineering Manager to lead its Software Engineering Team in Wilmington, Massachusetts. This role involves overseeing complex semiconductor system design and managing experienced engineers in R&D and product introduction.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in firmware development, excellent problem-solving skills, and a strong background in managing technical teams. The position offers a salary range of $155,000.00 – $205,000.00, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in firmware/embedded software development.
• 2+ years of engineering management or technical leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the software engineering team and oversee development.
• Guide architecture decisions for embedded systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards.

Skills

Firmware Development

Technical Leadership

C/C++ Proficiency

Problem-Solving

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or related experience

MS/PhD and 5+ years related experience

Tools

Microcontrollers

Debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)

Job description

Job Posting Job Description – Sr Engineering Manager

We are seeking an exceptional Sr. Engineering Manager to lead the Software Engineering Team within Plasma Solutions. This group is responsible for the design, implementation, and characterization of complex semiconductor systems, and will be the primary focus of this leadership role.

In addition to overseeing software development, the Sr. Engineering Manager will also guide a team of experienced mechanical engineers who play a critical role in R&D, New Product Introduction, and Sustaining Engineering. This multidisciplinary team drives resolution of complex issues on released products, continuous product improvements, and compliance for both new and legacy systems.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Lead a technical team to drive and deliver to product specifications, systematic design, circuit analysis, design for cost & manufacturability, PCB design, documentation, and test plan development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, with a focus on cross-functional data driven problem-solving techniques
• Works closely with other engineering disciplines on the design of new and/or legacy products
• Works closely with Product Marketing and other cross functional groups to successfully meet customer expectations
• Establishes and assures adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans and performance requirements
• Perform project activities, including PFMEA/DFMEA, design reviews, and creation of technical specifications
• Communicates technical information effectively in both oral and written forms through design reviews, failure analysis, product specifications, test plans and technical reports
• Acts as the primary FW/SW technical interface when designing and integrating new products with the New Product Introduction team.
• Regularly interacts with other Senior leaders and requires the ability to think systematically

Skills that You Bring:

Firmware Development & Delivery

• Oversee the full firmware development lifecycle (requirements, design, implementation, testing, release)
• Ensure high-quality, reliable, and maintainable code
• Guide architecture decisions for embedded systems and low-level software
• Drive best practices in coding standards, version control, and CI/CD processes

Technical Oversight

• Provide hands‑on technical guidance and troubleshooting for complex issues
• Ensure efficient use of RTOS, model base design, or bare-metal systems
• Review system architecture involving microcontrollers, processors, and hardware interfaces
• Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, and software teams

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure code quality through reviews, testing frameworks, and automation
• Implement firmware validation, verification, and release processes
• Support compliance with relevant standards (safety, security, regulatory if applicable)

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering required or related experience >10+ years, or MS/PhD and 5+ years related experience
• 8+ years of firmware/embedded software development experience
• 2+ years of engineering management or technical leadership experience
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems
• Experience with microcontrollers, and hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, etc.)
• Familiarity with RTOS or similar environments
• Demonstrate superior problem‑solving techniques and can lead a technical team in all aspects of engineering including product specification, systematic design, circuit analysis, design for cost & manufacturability, PCB design, documentation, and test plan development.
• Understand a product development process and knowledge of CE, SEMI S2, F47, RoHS and regulatory requirements
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong people management skills
• Strong background in system architecture and scalability
• Experience with security, bootloaders, or OTA updates
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies
• Experience in product development for industrial and SME devices
• Knowledge of debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Pay Range: $155,000.00 – 205,000.00 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.

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

Benefits: 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.].