Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Utilidata is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed edge AI company enabling greater visibility and control of power utilization in energy-intensive infrastructure, like the electric grid and data centers. Karman, the company’s distributed AI platform powered by a custom NVIDIA module, is transforming the way utility companies operate the grid edge and will enable data centers to unlock more compute for the same provisioned power.

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to develop production-grade firmware for power grid edge computing platforms. You will work alongside a diverse team of experts across hardware, cloud infrastructure, and AI/algorithms to design, implement, and deploy embedded systems running on mission-critical power infrastructure. This role requires hands-on development across multiple hardware variants, establishing firmware standards, implementing CI/CD pipelines, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams. We are looking for team members who are mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptive—someone who balances production rigor with the pace of innovation required in our distributed energy future. This is a remote position based in the United States, with occasional travel to our lab in Ann Arbor, MI and collaboration across distributed teams nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy production-grade firmware across multiple hardware platforms, architecting scalable, fault-tolerant components
• Support hardware bring-up efforts and collaborate directly with hardware engineering teams during development cycles
• Develop and optimize real-time embedded software using C/C++, RTOS, and bare-metal programming for resource-constrained microcontrollers
• Implement and debug communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, LTE, WiFi) for IoT device connectivity
• Establish and enforce firmware engineering standards, including coding conventions, testing protocols, and documentation requirements
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines with automated testing, static analysis, and version-controlled release processes
• Collaborate cross-functionally with external contractors, cloud infrastructure, AI/algorithms, and product teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Mentor and develop team members

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 7+ years developing and delivering production firmware for embedded systems
• Expert proficiency in C/C++ with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and bare-metal programming
• Strong understanding of embedded system architecture, hardware interfaces, and communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet)
• Experience with IoT devices utilizing microcontrollers, communication modules (LTE, Bluetooth, WiFi), and edge computing
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up and working directly with hardware teams during development
• Knowledge of debugging tools, such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers
• Proven experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and version control systems (Git)
• Strong communication skills and collaborative work style with cross-functional teams
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Experience shipping firmware in high-reliability industries (medical devices, automotive, aerospace, industrial control)
• Experience with FPGA integration and firmware development
• Expertise in Agile development methodologies and firmware design patterns
• Familiarity with UL compliance, safety standards, and regulatory requirements for power systems
• Understanding of the physics, mathematics, and hardware components which underlie the U.S. electricity grid and evolving power systems
• Experience with Rust or modern embedded programming languages
• Familiarity with ML, IoT, and AI SOMs (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, AMD/XILINX Kria)

Salary Range: $135,000 to $175,000 base compensation, plus a 10% annual bonus target and stock options. Salary will be commensurate with an individual's skills, training, years of experience, and in line with internal compensation bands.

Location: This position can be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States, preference will be given to candidates based in Michigan with the ability to work on site in Utilidata’s headquarters.

Our Commitments:
Utilidata values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k