Senior/Lead Embedded Firmware Engineer - Power Electronics/active magnetic bearings (AMB) control - Calnetix Technologies : Job Details

Calnetix is a design and manufacturing company focused on high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machines, power electronics, magnetic bearings, and related controls. The candidate will join our engineering team to work with high-speed, high-power permanent magnet machines, power electronics, and magnetic bearing controllers, aiming to innovate in the electric machine industry.

The Lead Embedded Firmware Engineer will oversee all aspects of embedded firmware development, primarily using NXP, Freescale, or similar DSP chips for power electronics and motor drive applications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead firmware development in C/C++ and Assembly for permanent magnet motors/generators and power converter control systems.
• Support and modify existing firmware or develop new firmware to implement control algorithms such as DC bus voltage control, current control, and grid synchronization.
• Participate in software architecture and operation design reviews.
• Generate documentation related to firmware, including traceability to customer and certification requirements (e.g., Software Requirements Specification, Design Description, Verification & Validation Plans, Test Plans, User Documentation, Quality Assurance Plans).
• Debug, troubleshoot, and test firmware, both existing and new.
• Develop validation test plans and ensure compliance with specifications.
• Implement firmware lifecycle control processes and documentation.
• Provide software support for in-house testing and customer field service.
• Collaborate with hardware and controls teams to design, implement, test, and deploy safety-critical software for next-generation and existing systems.

Required Skills, Experience, Education, and Abilities:

• BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with 8+ years of industry experience; PhD is a plus.
• At least 5 years of firmware development experience in C/C++, preferably for power electronics and motor drives.
• Strong knowledge of control system theory, modeling, simulation, and stability analysis.
• Proficient in Bare Metal firmware programming and low-level device driver development (ADC, PWM, Timers, GPIO, SPI, SCI, UART, CAN).
• Familiar with Modbus, SPI, RS485, and CAN Bus J1939 protocols.
• Experience with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, data loggers, CANalyzer.
• Proven experience in software requirements management and version control (Git, SVN).

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience with NXP MPC5643L/MPC5744P.
• Knowledge of aviation and military standards (RTCA DO-178C, DO-254A, MIL-STD-461, ISO 26262, MISRA).
• Understanding of safety compliance standards for software in programmable components.
• Hands-on experience with Field Oriented Control, 3-phase power control, flux estimation, sensorless and resolver-based controls.
• Fundamentals of power electronics and electric machines; experience with PWM schemes.

Additional Attributes:

• Detail-oriented with excellent time management.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Team player willing to learn, teach, and assist others.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting abilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Lead a team of talented Embedded Firmware Engineers.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

Approximately 10% travel may be required.

Salary Range:

Total Compensation: $160,000-$240,000 DOE; Base salary: $150,000-$220,000 DOE + Performance Bonus.