Firmware Engineer II
Description
ABOUT THE ROLE
Spectra Logic is hiring a Firmware Engineer to design, build and validate embedded firmware for its tape library systems, including the Cube and TFinity platforms. You will write the code that runs robotics, motion control, sensors, power and environmental subsystems, and that talks to the LumOS management software.
You will work closely with hardware engineering, QA and software teams. The role spans bring-up of new boards, feature work on shipping products, and root-causing field issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, implement and maintain embedded C/C++ firmware for robotics, motor control, sensors, power management and environmental control subsystems.
- Bring up new hardware: board-level debug, peripheral drivers, bootloaders and board support packages.
- Develop and maintain communication interfaces between firmware and the LumOS platform (serial, CAN, I2C, SPI, Ethernet).
- Implement firmware update, diagnostics and telemetry features that support manufacturing, QA and field service.
- Write unit and hardware-in-the-loop tests, and support system-level validation with QA.
- Support compliance testing (EMC, safety, environmental) by building test firmware and resolving issues found.
- Root-cause and fix defects from production lines and customer sites using logs, debuggers, oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
- Take part in design and code reviews, and write clear technical documentation and release notes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years developing embedded firmware in C and/or C++ for production hardware.
- Hands-on experience with 32-bit microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M or similar), on bare metal or an RTOS.
- Working knowledge of common embedded interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, GPIO, ADC and PWM.
- Comfortable reading schematics and datasheets, and debugging with JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
- Experience with Git and a structured code review process.
- Clear written and verbal communication with hardware, software and QA teammates.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with motion control: stepper, BLDC or servo motors, encoders and closed-loop control.
- Background in robotics, data storage hardware or other electromechanical systems.
- Experience with an RTOS such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr or ThreadX.
- Embedded Linux experience (Yocto, device drivers, U-Boot).
- Familiarity with HVAC or thermal control, sensor fusion, or environmental monitoring.
- Exposure to EMC and safety standards (FCC, CISPR, IEC) and how firmware affects compliance results.
- Scripting in Python for test automation and tooling.
- Experience with CI pipelines and hardware-in-the-loop test rigs.
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES
- Languages: C, C++, Python, assembly (reading level)
- Hardware: ARM Cortex-M MCUs, motor drivers, sensors, power controllers
- Interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, USB
- Debug and test: JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, HIL rigs
- Workflow: Git, Jira, CI pipelines, code review
Location: Boulder, Colorado (on-site, 3 days per week; lab and hardware access required
Location: Candidates must reside within commuting distance of our Boulder, CO office. Relocation assistance is not available. Only local candidates will be considered
Candidate AI Usage Policy: AI is a part of our daily work at Spectra, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Compensation: 100-123K/ year. While this salary range is a good faith and reasonable estimate, a candidate’s actual salary will be competitive based on a variety of factors including the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and experience
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company matching
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
- Educational reimbursement
- Hybrid work options
Application Window: Applications will be accepted until position has been filled.
WHY SPECTRA?
Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado, Spectra is an entrepreneurial, private company with more than 40 years of proven success preserving, protecting and defending the world’s data. Spectra offers a challenging, flexible and creative work environment. Our culture is one that drives personal opportunity and advancement and rewards high performance while maintaining a high-quality work-life balance. We offer a casual, hybrid work environment with ample opportunity to learn and grow within the company. Work out on your own or with our trainer at one of the on-campus gyms; grab lunch or snacks onsite or challenge the CEO to a game of pinball; and grow your career with peers who are second to none.
SPECTRA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Spectra is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we never discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other characteristics protected by applicable law
***Spectra Logic is committed to the practice and policies of equal employment opportunities in the recruitment, employment and promotion of all associates without regard to age 40 and over, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, status as protected veteran, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.