Digital Controls/Firmware Lead Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Wright Technical Services is representing an industry-leading advanced manufacturing organization seeking a Digital Controls / Firmware Lead Engineer to lead architecture, development, and verification of embedded firmware for industrial control platforms supporting applications such as advanced manufacturing equipment, power electronics systems, and energy infrastructure technologies.

This role requires deep expertise in embedded systems and real-time control, along with the ability to influence system-level architecture decisions and provide technical leadership across hardware, firmware, and software teams. This individual will play a key role in next-generation product development, platform strategy, and engineering best practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Leadership and System Architecture

• Serves as an expert in embedded firmware architecture for real-time industrial control systems, setting technical direction and ensuring alignment with system-level design requirements.
  
• Gathers and analyzes requirements and takes responsibility for the architecture of systems or portions of systems.
  
• Leads cross-functional definitions of system behavior, establishing architectural partitions between hardware, firmware, and higher-level software.
  
• Recommends best-practice solutions for complex technical problems.
  

Firmware Design and Development

• Designs and implements embedded firmware in C and/or C++ for microcontrollers and digital signal processors, with emphasis on deterministic control loops in power conversion and motion control.
  
• Develops robust firmware interfaces to ADCs, DACs, PWM generators, sensors, and digital buses/communication protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, etc.
  
• Applies software engineering practices such as following coding standards, using source code management systems, and designing and maintaining build processes.
  

Mentorship and Influence

• Provides technical mentorship and guidance to less-experienced engineers.
  
• Leads and contributes to design reviews, championing architectural clarity, documentation quality, coding standards, and robust design methodologies.
  
• Influences the direction of platforms, development tools, and engineering best practices.
  

Testing, Validation and Integration

• Leads prototype bring-up and system-level debug efforts, working hands-on with meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers, packet sniffers, and other tools.
  
• Designs and executes test plans.
  
• Works with hardware, power electronics, and manufacturing engineering to ensure smooth integration and reliable product release.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  
• 8+ years of experience in embedded firmware design and development using C/C++ and real-time operating systems.
  
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technical efforts with minimal guidance.
  
• Strong proficiency with embedded development tools and electrical engineering lab equipment.
  
• Excellent problem-solving skills with proven ability to approach problems from a system-level perspective.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  
• Experience with power electronics, welding processes, and/or motor control systems.
  
• Strong understanding of control theory and signal processing concepts.
  
• Experience with model-based design tools for control systems.

Wright Technical Services and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.