Cortex Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Utilidata is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid — bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them.
We are seeking an Embedded Firmware Engineer to develop production-grade firmware for power grid edge computing platforms. You will work alongside a diverse team of experts across hardware, cloud infrastructure, and AI/algorithms to design, implement, and deploy embedded systems running on mission-critical power infrastructure. This role requires hands-on development across multiple hardware variants: establishing firmware standards, implementing security features, supporting high quality infrastructure, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams. We are looking for team members who are mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptive—someone who balances production rigor with the pace of innovation required in our distributed energy future. This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work. Candidates will be expected to collaborate cross-functionally with remote teams based across the country.
Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy production-grade firmware across multiple hardware platforms, architecting scalable, fault-tolerant components
• Support hardware bring-up efforts and collaborate directly with hardware engineering teams during development cycles
• Develop and optimize real-time embedded software using C/C++, RTOS, and bare-metal programming for resource-constrained microcontrollers
• Implement and debug communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, LTE, WiFi) for IoT device connectivity
• Establish and enforce firmware engineering standards, including coding conventions, testing protocols, and documentation requirements
• Architect and implement embedded security across our platforms, including secure boot, signed-image pipelines, key management, debug-interface lockdown, and authenticated communication protocols
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines with automated testing, static analysis, and version-controlled release processes
• Utilize FPGA-based platforms to establish interfaces between FPGAs, MCUs, and SoMs using HDL (Verilog/VHDL)
• Collaborate cross-functionally with external contractors, cloud infrastructure, AI/algorithms, and product teams to deliver integrated solutions

Minimum Qualifications 

• 7+ years developing and delivering production firmware for embedded systems
• Expert proficiency in C/C++ with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and bare-metal programming
• Strong understanding of embedded system architecture, hardware interfaces, and communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet)
• Experience with IoT devices utilizing microcontrollers, communication modules (LTE, Bluetooth, WiFi), and edge computing
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up and working directly with hardware teams during development
• Knowledge of debugging tools, such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers
• Proven experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and version control systems (Git)
• Strong communication skills and collaborative work style with cross-functional teams

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have) 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• HDL design and delivery experience (Verilog/VHDL/Chisel/SpinalHDL); familiarity with Xilinx Vivado, AMD Vitis, or Lattice toolchains
• Experience shipping firmware in high-reliability industries (medical, automotive, aerospace, industrial control, grid)
• Working knowledge of cryptographic primitives in embedded contexts (AES, HMAC, ECDSA, KDF), hardware roots of trust, and OTP-based key provisioning
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443, UL 2900) or equivalent
• Experience with high-throughput data paths: RDMA, RoCE, PCIe, or custom Ethernet protocols
• ARM TrustZone-M, PSA Certified, Arm TF-M, or vendor secure-element experience
• STM32H5 or similar Cortex-M33-class secure MCU experience
• Familiarity with ML, IoT, and AI SOMs (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, AMD/XILINX Kria)
• Understanding of the physics, mathematics, and hardware components which underlie the U.S. electricity grid and evolving power systems
• Experience mentoring more junior engineers
• Experience with Rust or modern embedded programming languages
• Expertise in Agile development methodologies and firmware design patterns

Salary Range: $135,000 to $175,000 base compensation depending on experience plus stock options.  Salary will be commensurate with an individual's skills, training, years of experience, and in line with internal compensation bands.
Location: This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work.
Our Commitments:
Utilidata values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.
We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k

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