Firmware Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Firmware / Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Firmware / Embedded Software Engineer will play a key role in new product development, taking embedded systems from concept through production. This hands-on, highly technical position focuses on architecting, implementing, and delivering firmware for next-generation, microcontroller-based products. The engineer will collaborate closely with hardware, electrical, and systems teams to bring new designs to life, ensuring performance, reliability, and low-power operation while contributing to best practices and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to firmware development for new product designs, guiding projects from early prototype stages through to production release.
• Design, develop, debug, and maintain embedded firmware in C for microcontroller-based systems.
• Develop and support RTOS-based firmware architectures, including task scheduling, memory management, and inter-task communication.
• Collaborate with hardware, electrical, and systems engineers during schematic reviews, board bring-up, and system validation.
• Support board bring-up and perform debugging activities on STM32-based platforms and similar ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
• Interface with and integrate sensors, peripherals, and external devices into embedded systems.
• Participate in design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making to ensure robust and scalable solutions.
• Ensure firmware meets performance, reliability, and low-power requirements appropriate for the application and product constraints.
• Contribute to technical documentation, coding standards, and firmware best practices to support maintainability and quality.
• Debug issues across firmware, hardware, and system levels using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Support the full new product development lifecycle, including concept, design, implementation, validation, and transfer to production.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of embedded firmware development experience, with strong consideration given to candidates with up to 10+ years of experience.
• Strong proficiency in C programming for embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience working in RTOS environments and developing RTOS-based firmware architectures.
• Experience developing firmware for STM32 or similar ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
• Proven experience supporting the full new product development lifecycle, beyond sustaining or maintenance work.
• Ability to debug across firmware, hardware, and system levels using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Experience integrating sensors, peripherals, and external devices into embedded systems.
• Solid understanding of embedded systems design principles, including performance, reliability, and low-power considerations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with FreeRTOS or similar real-time operating systems.
• Experience using GitHub or similar Git-based version control workflows for collaborative development.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as I²C, SPI, UART, and CAN.
• Experience with low-power or battery-powered embedded designs.
• Background in sensor integration and data acquisition within embedded systems.
• Exposure to production or regulated development environments and associated processes.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to contribute to firmware best practices and coding standards.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams and participating in design and architecture reviews.

Work Environment

This role operates in a collaborative engineering environment focused on new product development for embedded systems. The Senior Firmware / Embedded Software Engineer works closely with hardware, electrical, and systems engineers, using tools such as JTAG debuggers, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes to bring up and validate STM32 and ARM Cortex-M based boards. The work involves RTOS-based firmware development, integration of sensors and peripherals, and use of Git-based version control platforms such as GitHub. The environment emphasizes technical excellence, thorough documentation, and adherence to best practices, with a strong focus on performance, reliability, and low-power design across the full product lifecycle from concept through production.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Valparaiso, IN.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $65.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Valparaiso,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: 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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.