Freelance Embedded Firmware Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

At Areté, we are at the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we empower our team members with meaningful career development opportunities and a strong sense of ownership in our shared success.

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Our Stabilized Vision Technology team is seeking a motivated Electrical Engineer to support the development, integration, and delivery of advanced electromechanical systems, with an emphasis on high-performance motion control, precision mechanisms, sensors, embedded electronics, and complex system integration. The ideal candidate has experience leading or coordinating technical work focused on electrical engineering while spanning multiple engineering disciplines and driving projects from concept through integration, verification, and delivery.

This role requires strong technical judgment, hands-on problem-solving ability, and the ability to work effectively with electrical, mechanical, software, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and program management teams. The successful candidate will be comfortable translating system requirements into executable engineering plans, managing project schedules, identifying and tracking technical risks, coordinating design trade studies, supporting integration and testing, and ensuring that project objectives are met. The ideal candidate enjoys hands-on work, thrives in a multidisciplinary environment, approaches complex challenges collaboratively, and is passionate about electronic and electro-optical system design.

This full-time, exempt, non-supervisory position is based in our Healdsburg, CA office.

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead or coordinate engineering activities for complex electromechanical systems, with an emphasis on precision motion control and system integration
• Work with cross-functional teams to define requirements, interfaces, test approaches, and technical execution plans
• Support design trade studies involving motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, servo control loops, motor drives, power electronics, embedded controllers, and mechanical dynamics
• Coordinate prototype development, system integration, troubleshooting, verification, and qualification testing
• Identify technical risks, develop mitigation plans, and clearly communicate status to engineering and program leadership
• Review designs, test data, failure investigations, and corrective actions
• Support customer discussions, technical reviews, design reviews, and program execution meetings
• Help transition designs from development into production, including manufacturability, testability, documentation, and supplier coordination
• Align design and test strategies with system-level objectives to support mission success

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement
• Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

• Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• Strong understanding of the engineering development process, from requirements definition through design, integration, testing, and delivery
• Ability to lead or coordinate technical execution across electrical, mechanical, software, firmware, systems, and manufacturing disciplines
• Experience reviewing technical designs, test results, failure investigations, and corrective actions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical status, risks, and trade-offs
• Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):

• Experience with precision motion assemblies, servo tuning, electromechanical system modeling, system-level debugging, and related high-performance applications
• Familiarity with motors, actuators, encoders, feedback sensors, motor drives, control loops, embedded controllers, and system-level troubleshooting
• Hands on experience deploying and testing systems in real-world field environments
• Experience participating in customer technical reviews, design reviews, or formal program meetings
• Active DoD security clearance

The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:

• Engineer 2: $100,000 - $120,000 [BS degree + 2-4 years’ experience OR MS degree with 0-2 years’ experience]
• Staff Engineer: $120,000 - $145,000 [BS degree + 4-8 years’ experience OR MS degree with 2-6 years’ experience.

However, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration. Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.