Senior Firmware Engineer, Embedded Platform

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors — regardless of their defense budget — through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost. 

About the Role

 Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and driven Firmware Engineer who has a specialized focus in embedded platforms. In this role, you will support the development, integration, and deployment of avionics and embedded systems for our next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This position will advance our flight-critical firmware and avionics systems by ensuring they meet key performance and reliability standards, while enabling full mission readiness. 
You will work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate flight-critical systems, resolve complex technical issues across domains, and support both IRAD and field operations. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, where rapid iteration and field validation are core to success.

What You'll Do

 

• Develop and optimize low-level embedded software in C++, advancing firmware on avionics systems, mission payloads, flight controllers, and embedded subsystems with a focus on performance, reliability, and safety 
• Port frameworks and applications to new RTOSes and new hardware platforms, including creating Board Support Packages (BSPs), adapting Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs), and configuring cross-compilation toolchains for architectures such as ARM Cortex-M 
• Create and integrate peripheral drivers for interfaces like I2C, SPI, UART, ADC, and wireless protocols 
• Collaborate with hardware teams to validate firmware incorporating features like secure boot, watchdogs, and fault-tolerant designs for reliability. 
• Conduct unit and integration testing, including fault injection and MISRA C compliance checks, to maintain high standards in safety-critical applications. 
• Diagnose and resolve cross-domain issues across electromechanical, software, networking, and RF subsystems in both lab and operational environments 
• Develop and maintain embedded software, test automation scripts, and integration tools using Python, C/C++, Bash, and Shell 
• Translate mission and operational requirements into technical specifications and integration plans 
• Design, execute, and document test plans, integration guides, test reports, and troubleshooting manuals 
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams and leverage Firestorm’s manufacturing and simulation capabilities to accelerate deployment cycles

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in embedded systems development.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
• Strong networking knowledge, including configuration and troubleshooting of Ethernet, TCP/IP, VPNs, VLANs, and wireless systems.
• Proficient with Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RedHat) and Windows systems, with strong command-line skills.
• Extensive Programming and scripting experience in Python, Bash, Shell, and C/C++, including embedded software development.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot across embedded software, avionics hardware, and RF communications.
• Understanding of virtualization and container tools such as VMware, Docker, or Kubernetes
• Awareness of cybersecurity principles as they apply to embedded systems and tactical networks
• Strong technical writing skills for documenting systems, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• 7+ years of experience in embedded systems development.
• Experience in high-tech, aerospace or DoD-related manufacturing environments, including prior work in the military or with spacecraft, or aircraft.
• Proven track