Senior Firmware Engineer

Allen Control Systems; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Allen Control Systems in Austin, TX seeks a Senior Firmware Engineer to develop real-time embedded software in C++ for autonomous defense systems. You will work on microcontroller firmware, electrical design interfaces, and SIL/HIL testing.

You will collaborate across electronics and software teams to optimize performance and power, ensuring compliance with military-grade requirements while maintaining thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in electrical and firmware design.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience with microcontroller-based control systems, power conversion and motor drives.
• Proficiency in C++ for embedded systems and Python scripting.
• Proficiency with Altium Designer, OrCAD, or Eagle.
• Knowledge of MCU peripherals (Timers, ADC, DAC) and protocols (CAN, UART, I2C).
• Experience with testing methodologies for designs meeting military standards.
• 3+ years in real-time, safety-critical embedded systems.
• Robotics or autonomous systems deployment experience.
• Systems integration with sensors, actuators, and control hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop Real-Time Embedded Software in C++ for autonomous defense applications.
• Design and develop electrical systems from datasheets and schematics.
• Write simulations, unit tests, and system tests; integrate MCU tests in CI.
• Work on SIL and HIL tests with embedded Linux code.
• Document designs, pseudocode, block diagrams, simulations, and test protocols.
• Test and debug embedded systems in lab and field environments.
• Optimize code for performance and power efficiency on hardware-constrained platforms.

Skills

Embedded software development

C++ for embedded systems

Python scripting

Robotics control systems

System integration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Altium Designer

OrCAD

Eagle

CAN/UART/I2C

Job description

Company Overview

ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter‑drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost‑effective response to one of the fastest‑growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast‑moving team and help scale technology with direct, real‑world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Firmware Engineer with strong expertise in microcontroller firmware development in C++, schematic design, and electrical simulation. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in developing robust, high‑performance electrical systems that integrate seamlessly with our electromechanical components, helping to ensure our products meet rigorous military‑grade requirements. You will contribute to developing, optimizing, and implementing embedded software for real‑time control of our systems.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop Real‑Time Embedded Software: Design and implement embedded software in C++, focusing on real‑time responsiveness and efficiency for autonomous defense applications.

• Design and Develop Electrical Systems: Interpret microcontroller, digital, and analog IC datasheets and circuit schematics. Create and communicate design constraints and preferences to the electronics design team.

• Write simulations, unit tests and system tests to validate your code. Integrate MCU tests within our CI environment.

• Work to incorporate our MCU and embedded Linux code in Software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) and Hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) tests.

• Documentation and Reporting: Develop and maintain detailed documentation of designs, including pseudocode, block diagrams, schematics, simulation results, and test protocols.

• Test and Debug Embedded Systems: Conduct extensive testing, simulation, and debugging in both lab and field environments. Troubleshoot and optimize electronics and software for various real‑world conditions.

• Performance Optimization: Continuously improve code performance and reduce power consumption to maximize system efficiency on hardware‑constrained platforms.

What You’ll Need:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in electrical and firmware design, including schematic design and embedded software development.

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Embedded Circuit Design: Knowledge of microcontroller‑based control systems, including power conversion and motor drives.

• Languages: Proficiency in C++ for embedded systems and Python for scripting or development tasks.

• Schematic Review: Proficiency with electrical design tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, or Eagle.

• Peripherals & Protocols: Knowledge of typical MCU peripherals (e.g. Timers, ADC, DAC) and communication protocols used in robotics (e.g., CAN, UART, I2C).

• Testing and Validation: Hands‑on experience with testing methodologies, equipment, and validation protocols for designs that meet military standards.

• Embedded Software: 3+ years of experience developing real‑time, safety‑critical embedded systems.

• Robotics Systems: Experience deploying real‑time control software in robotics or autonomous systems.

• Systems Integration: Ability to integrate software with sensors, actuators, and control hardware.

You’ll Stand Out:

• Embedded Linux and RTOS Experience: Familiarity with embedded Linux environments, RTOS, and building custom kernels for embedded platforms.

• High‑Performance Systems: Experience optimizing code for low‑latency, high‑performance embedded applications with strict power and computational constraints.

• Networking & Protocols: Knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, EtherCAT)

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.