Firmware Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA
Full Time
Entry Level

 About Us
At Phlux, we are revolutionizing industrial robotics with our cutting-edge 3D safety sensors. Our technology empowers safe and efficient human-robot collaboration in dynamic environments, redefining safety across industries. As a rapidly growing startup, we embrace innovation, agility, and a passion for problem-solving.

Your Role
As a Firmware Engineer at Phlux, you will be responsible for designing and developing firmware that processes image data from advanced sensors and controls the safety-critical outputs of our system. You’ll work closely with FPGA engineers to integrate hardware and firmware seamlessly, leveraging real-time data pipelines and functional safety principles. This is a key position where your work will directly impact the performance, reliability, and safety of our cutting-edge robotics solutions.

What You'll Do

  • Design and develop firmware for SoC platforms (e.g., Zynq or similar) to process image data from advanced sensors and manage safety-critical outputs.
  • Collaborate with FPGA engineers to manage image sensor integration, leveraging shared memory, registers, and I/O pins for real-time data and command exchange.
  • Write control algorithms to process real-time image data and manage system safety outputs in compliance with functional safety requirements.
  • Optimize firmware for low-latency, high-throughput data pipelines and robust real-time performance.
  • Implement safety mechanisms and fail-safes to meet industry standards such as ISO 26262 or IEC 61508.
  • Debug and troubleshoot firmware and hardware interaction issues using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
  • Collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to integrate firmware seamlessly into the overall system.
  • Document firmware architecture, design decisions, and testing processes to support reliability, maintainability, and certification readiness.


What We’re Looking For

  • Proficiency in C/C++: Strong experience developing embedded firmware, particularly for bare-metal systems or with RTOS.
  • Experience with SoC Platforms: Hands-on experience developing firmware for platforms that integrate CPUs and FPGAs (e.g., Zynq, Intel SoC, or similar).
  • Real-Time Systems Expertise: Proven ability to develop and optimize firmware for real-time image processing and hardware control.
  • Debugging Skills: Proficiency in diagnosing and resolving firmware issues with tools like JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
  • Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, articulating technical design decisions clearly.
  • BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice-to-Have Skills

  • Familiarity with functional safety, safety-critical design principles, fail-safe mechanisms, and relevant standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
  • Experience with FPGA toolchains like Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or similar development environments.
  • Knowledge of high-speed communication protocols like MIPI, PCIe, or Gigabit Ethernet.
  • Familiarity with image sensor technologies and preprocessing techniques.
  • Experience writing low-level drivers for peripherals (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART).
  • Understanding of network protocols such as UDP or TCP.
  • Optimization experience for power efficiency and constrained resources in embedded systems.
  • Knowledge of secure coding practices and cybersecurity for embedded firmware.
  • Ability to write Python scripts for test automation or interfacing with hardware during development and validation.

What You’ll Love About Working Here

  • Innovative Projects: Be part of a team building transformative technologies that redefine robotics safety and enable real-world impact in industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and more.
  • Startup Energy, Big Ideas: Experience the excitement and agility of working in a startup, with opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects and make a direct impact on the company’s success.
  • Collaborative Environment: Join a team of passionate engineers and innovators who value open communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
  • Professional Growth: Expand your skills and grow your career with access to cutting-edge tools, technologies, and mentorship opportunities.
  • Flexibility and Focus: Enjoy a dynamic workplace that values results over rigid processes, giving you the freedom to experiment and innovate.
  • Mission-Driven Culture: Contribute to a vision that is reshaping the future of robotics and empowering safer, smarter human-robot collaboration.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salaries + Stock Options
  • Paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Flexible work schedule
 
Share

Apply for this position

Required*
Apply with Indeed
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

Human Check*