Firmware Development Engineer

About Us

Where Light Meets Digital - EFFECT Photonics is a highly vertically integrated, independent photonic semiconductor company addressing the need for high-performance, affordable optic solutions driven by the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth and faster data transfer capabilities. Our teams are made up of professional, highly skilled, energized, and enthusiastic people who share a passion for developing and creating high-volume, world-class solutions. We operate globally, and our teams work collaboratively to make EFFECT Photonics a very dynamic and rewarding place to work.

About the position

We are seeking a highly skilled Firmware Developer with a minimum of 5 years of experience in C and C++ for mixed signal microcontrollers, preferably ARM-based. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in MCU peripheral control, interfacing with external analogue front-ends, and handling shared resources in interrupt-driven environments. This role involves developing, documenting, and testing firmware, as well as collaborating with system architects to enhance product performance and robustness.

At EFFECT Photonics we value ownership. Our new colleague will be given the autonomy to take charge of their projects and drive innovative solutions. We work in a multi-disciplinary environment, where the new colleague will be the go-to expert in firmware while having the opportunity to expand their knowledge in areas such as electronics and physics.

Role responsibilities

• Develop firmware code from well-defined specifications, adhering to existing project architecture.

• Document, test, and release production code.

• Verify firmware behavior on products and prototypes, including debugging electrical interfaces.

• Port existing code-base to other MCUs.

• Set up automated code build and verification mechanisms, integrating them into the Atlassian suite.

• Collaborate with system architects on implementation strategies and potential architecture improvements.

• Define firmware architecture.

• Review electronics design from a firmware implementation standpoint.

Required / Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Minimum 5 years of experience in C, C++ for mixed signal microcontrollers, preferably ARM-based.

• Demonstrated ability to write clean code, understand, and review existing code.

• Extensive experience with MCU peripheral control: Timer, SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, DAC, DMA, Flash controller, etc., including advanced operation modes where peripherals are DMA scheduled.

• Experience interfacing with external analogue front-ends, memories, and power converters.

• Proficient in handling shared resources, including critical sections to prevent shared resource usage in interrupts.

• Experience in state machine implementation with extensive self-testing.

• Good knowledge of Git and the Atlassian tool suite (Bitbucket, Confluence).

• Experienced with Doxygen or comparable software documentation tools.

• Sufficient Python mastery for test and deployment automation, and basic firmware characterization scripting. Remote instrument control is a plus.

• Basic knowledge of control theory, e.g., feedback loops, PID controllers, and basic parameter calibration.

• Experience in simple linear filter design and implementation in firmware.

• Sufficient understanding of electronics schematics to correctly implement firmware drivers for MCU electrical interfaces.

• Proficient in using measurement equipment to verify and debug communication and A/D interfaces to and from the MCU.

• Experience in setting up and managing GCC + CMake build systems is a plus (current project uses Keil uVision + ARMCC, but migration to VSCode + GCC is of interest).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with setting up and managing GCC + CMake build systems.

• Familiarity with Keil uVision + ARMCC and interest in migrating to VSCode + GCC.

We are a collaborative Global Technology Company, and we’re building a truly dynamic and rewarding place to work.

Reward and Benefits

Benefits are a critical component to consider when taking on a new challenge, but because we are a global company, benefits may vary by location.

Here’s what you can expect from us regardless:

An exciting working culture where everyone’s point of view has real value

An environment that embraces collaboration

A competitive salary that reflects our ambition

Paid time off (vacation days) plus statutory annual holidays

Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR – stock program)

We look forward to receiving your application, if you have any questions, please contact our recruitment team.

Email: recruitment@effectphotonics.com - No agencies please!

Effect Photonics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Effect Photonics complies with all applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment.