Software Engineer, Firmware (Motor Controls)

Harbinger Motors; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HDV coverage

Stock options

Retirement savings

PTO & parental leave

Annual bonus

Wellness benefits

Cell phone stipend

Meals & stocked kitchen

Job summary

Harbinger, based in California, seeks an experienced embedded firmware engineer to design and implement motor control firmware for its EV platforms. You will optimize algorithms, integrate with hardware and software teams, and validate designs using HIL and real‑time simulations.

Requirements include a 3+ year track record in embedded firmware for motor control, ARM Cortex‑M experience, and proficiency in C/C++. Knowledge of DSP, PID tuning, and CAN/SPI/I2C/UART is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of embedded firmware development focusing on motor control and EV applications.
• Hands‑on experience with ARM Cortex‑M microcontrollers or equivalent platforms.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Strong understanding of motor control algorithms and DSP.
• Experience with control theory, PID tuning, and sensorless control techniques.
• Familiarity with CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART communication protocols.
• Knowledge of eTPU and GTM peripherals.
• Experience with embedded development tools and testing/debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement embedded firmware for motor control systems in EVs.
• Configure board support packages from microcontroller suppliers for real‑time applications.
• Develop and optimize motor control algorithms including Field‑Oriented Control.
• Improve performance and reduce CPU overhead and memory footprint.
• Perform testing, debugging, and validation using real‑time simulation and HIL setups.
• Work with hardware, software, and power electronics teams for integration.
• Create and maintain documentation of firmware design, methods, and testing.

Skills

Embedded firmware

C/C++

ARM Cortex‑M

Motor control

DSP

PID tuning

Sensorless control

CAN

SPI

I2C

UART

eTPU

GTM

Testing tools

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Embedded development tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

HIL testing environments

Job description

About Harbinger

Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to bring a first-of-its-kind EV platform to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs and Hybrids. Harbinger: Familiar Form, Revolutionary Foundation.

What You'll Do

• Firmware Development: Design and implement embedded firmware for advanced motor control systems in electric vehicles.
• Board Support Package and Driver configuration: Configure board support packages from microcontroller suppliers for enablement and optimal performance of application software in real-time applications.
• Motor Control Algorithms: Implement and optimize control algorithms including Field-Oriented Control.
• Performance Optimization: Enhance the efficiency of CPU performance, reducing overhead, optimizing memory footprint, and meeting performance and safety goals of the system.
• Testing & Validation: Perform testing, debugging, and validation of firmware using real-time simulation, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL).
• Integration & Debugging: Work closely with hardware, software, and power electronics teams to ensure seamless integration of firmware with motor control systems.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of firmware design, development processes, and testing methodologies.

Who You Are

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in embedded firmware development, with a focus on motor controls and electric vehicle applications.
• Experience: Hands‑on experience with ARM Cortex‑M microcontrollers or equivalent platforms.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of motor control algorithms and digital signal processing (DSP).
• Technical Skills: Experience with control theory, PID tuning, and sensorless control techniques.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of complex timer and cross-triggering peripherals such as eTPU and GTM.
• Tools & Technologies: Experience with embedded development tools.
• Tools & Technologies: Proficient in testing and debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and HIL testing environments.

Soft Skills

Exceptional problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills.

Key Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision (HDV) – 100% employee covered
• Early-stage Stock Options
• Robust Retirement Savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Parental Leave
• Annual Vacation Bonus
• Wellness & Fertility Benefits
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Complimentary Meals & Stocked Kitchens

California Pay Range

$140,000—$180,000 USD

Equal Opportunity

Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Candidate Data Privacy

Harbinger may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Harbinger may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Harbinger may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our HR, legal, and finance teams, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Harbinger affiliates; and (iii) Harbinger’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Harbinger may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.