Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Firmware & Machine Control

About our group:

Our HDD backend test equipment team develops and sustains the firmware, control software, automation, and vision systems that support reliable high-volume manufacturing test operations. In this role, you will help deliver robust test platforms that improve equipment capability, production uptime, deployment quality, and long-term scalability.

About the role - you will:

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and sustain firmware, embedded software, and automation applications for HDD backend test equipment. You will work across firmware development, equipment control, vision integration, debugging, validation, and production deployment while collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver reliable systems that improve manufacturing efficiency and equipment uptime.

• Firmware Development and Sustaining
  • Develop firmware for new PCBA boards, with a focus on hardware-software interfaces, low-level communication protocols, and maintainable design.
  • Deliver bug fixes, performance improvements, and feature enhancements for existing boards.
  • Manage firmware upgrades and sustaining activities to improve reliability and production readiness.
• Software Control and Vision Systems
  • Design machine control systems, state machines, and software architectures for automation equipment.
  • Create software design documentation, including UML diagrams, flowcharts, state charts, and class diagrams.
  • Integrate motion control, robotics, vision systems, and industrial communication interfaces into production test platforms.
  • Design, select, qualify, and integrate vision hardware for production test applications.
  • Develop and optimize vision recipes and system calibration.
  • Manage GitHub source control, code reviews, and software release activities.
  • Support machine integration, validation, qualification, and production deployment to ensure robust system performance.
• Software Design for Test Equipment
  • Evaluate technical feasibility and guide software solutions from problem definition through implementation and release.
  • Partner with internal teams to define requirements, estimate schedules, and deliver high-quality solutions on time.
  • Manage technical priorities, project milestones, and deliverables with independence and accountability.
  • Develop and execute software testing for new hardware integrations.
• Occasional Responsibilities
  • Contribute to selected AI and machine learning software initiatives that enhance equipment capability and operational insight.
  • Design, develop, and maintain software in a Linux environment as needed.
  • Support software installation and troubleshoot PC setup issues.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve software issues to maintain system uptime and testing efficiency.
  • Understand security protocols and technologies, including SSL/TLS, certificate of lifecycle management, and key management systems.

About you:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience: More than 5 years of hands-on experience in software and firmware development for test equipment systems, with practical expertise in equipment automation, embedded firmware, machine control, debugging, validation, and production support for complex test platforms.

Core Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in C/C++, C#, Java, and Python for developing, deploying, and supporting production software.
• Experience with microcontroller platforms, RTOS firmware, and C/C++ for embedded systems development.
• 3+ years of C#/.NET development experience in automation equipment software.
• Experience with object-oriented programming, state machines, and software architecture design.
• GitHub source control and version management.
• Motion control, robotics, and equipment integration.
• Machine vision hardware selection and recipe development.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis capabilities.

Your experience includes:

Ownership of software and firmware deliverables, effective cross-functional collaboration with hardware and manufacturing teams, and a proven ability to debug, validate, deploy, and sustain reliable test equipment solutions in production environments.

Professional Attributes

• Self-directed, adaptable, and proactive, with the ability to take ownership of engineering challenges while learning new tools, technologies, and programming languages.
• Strong communicator and collaborator, with experience contributing to cross-functional engineering and co-development efforts.