Freelance Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Missouri

Serve as the technical authority for embedded motor control software, controls algorithms, and system behavior within C&I motor control and drive products. Lead the architecture, design, implementation, validation, and release of embedded motor control software, from concept through product launch, ensuring performance, real-time reliability, stability, safety, and compliance with applicable standards. Operate with a high degree of autonomy, providing technical leadership, design direction, and mentoring other engineers while partnering closely with power electronics, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.

• Develop and implement motor control algorithms such as Field Oriented Control (FOC), six-step/trapezoidal control, sensorless back-EMF methods, observers and estimators, and torque, speed, and position control loops (PID, adaptive control).
• Develop firmware on embedded platforms, including PWM generation, ADC synchronization, and real-time signal processing.
• Develop control methods to improve efficiency and performance, including loss reduction and switching strategies.
• Own motor control system performance from concept through validation, including requirements interpretation, design trade-offs, and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain MATLAB/Simulink models to simulate motor behavior, control design, and system stability.
• Work closely with power electronics and hardware teams.
• Interface with current and voltage sensing circuits, and validate signal scaling, offsets, and calibration.
• Debug system-level issues across firmware and hardware, including control performance, sensing, and power stage behavior.
• Implement communication interfaces such as Modbus, BACnet, UART, SPI, I2C, and wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
• Implement protection features such as overcurrent, overvoltage/undervoltage, and stall/lock detection.
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements (e.g., Class B software per UL 60730).
• Write design documentation (control strategies, architecture), test plans, and validation reports.
• Establish and lead processes for managing embedded motor control software across development, validation, and production, ensuring controlled changes, consistent configurations, and repeatable software releases.
• Define and implement structured verification processes, including black box and white box testing, standardized validation methods, and formal peer reviews to ensure performance, stability, and quality.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded systems, control systems, or electronics engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in motor control systems for industrial equipment or drives applications.
• Proven experience developing and implementing motor control algorithms (e.g., FOC, PID control, observers, sensorless methods) on embedded platforms.
• Strong hands‑on experience in real‑time embedded firmware development (C/C++) for control applications.
• Experience designing and optimizing control loops (current, speed, position) in real‑world systems.
• Experience working with power electronics systems (inverters, motor drives) and understanding their interaction with control algorithms.
• Practical experience with current and voltage sensing systems, including signal conditioning, scaling, and calibration in control applications.
• Experience debugging system‑level issues involving firmware, control behavior, and hardware interaction.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or similar tools for control design, modeling, and validation.
• Experience implementing or integrating communication protocols, including wired (UART, SPI, I2C, Modbus, BACnet) and wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
• Experience developing or supporting safety-critical embedded software (e.g., UL 60730 or similar standards).
• Participation in full product lifecycle development, including prototyping, validation, and production support.
• Participation in product industrialization activities, including prototype builds, pilot runs, and production ramp‑up support.

• Clear written communication skills for technical documentation, design rationale, and engineering review.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely across diverse audiences, including non‑technical stakeholders.
• Confidence to challenge assumptions and decisions constructively using data, experience, and engineering judgment.
• Strong time‑management skills to balance deep technical work with cross‑functional engagement.

• Manufacturing
• Quality
• Regulatory
• Supply Chain
• Sales/Marketing
• Service

• Electronics suppliers
• Contract manufacturers
• Certification bodies

• Fluent English

Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action at Nidec. Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Geographic Scope: United States – Global Impact. Product Scope: Motor-mounted electronics, embedded controls and human-machine interfaces. Business Impact: Direct influence on NPD time to market, product performance, compliance, quality & cost.

KPI electronics: OTD > 80% for FY26. VAVE cost saving results. Product reliability, robustness and compliance metrics. Electronics components obsolescence risk mitigation. Mean time to resolution for electronics issues. Manufacturing yield and scrap related to electronics NPD.