Principal Firmware Engineer
MKS Instruments, Inc.3 months ago
Andover, MA, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$126k - $210k/yr
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, design, implementation, verification, and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand customer requirements and deliver product solutions.
- Establish and drive firmware coding standards, design reviews, automated test frameworks, and structured development practices.
- Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to firmware engineers across the organization.
- Drive continuous improvements in firmware quality, reliability, and development efficiency.
- Debug and perform system bring-up using emulators, oscilloscopes, and communication bus analyzers.
Requirements
- BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development, including control algorithms.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, strong communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for real-time embedded systems.
- Experience with version control systems and structured software release processes.
- Preferred experience with EtherCAT, DeviceNet, or similar industrial fieldbus protocols.
- Preferred experience with motion control systems involving stepper motors and BLDC motors.
- Strong understanding of feedback control theory, including PID control and tuning, is preferred.
- Preferred experience with SPI, I2C, UART, and other communication protocols.
Benefits
- Annual discretionary bonus eligibility.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Life and disability insurance.
- 12 paid holidays.
- Sick time and 15 paid vacation days.
- Six weeks of fully paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- MKS is generally hiring candidates who reside in states where it is registered to do business.
- Some positions may require applicants to be U.S. persons because of ITAR or EAR-controlled goods and technologies.
- Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.
About MKS Instruments, Inc.
MKS Instruments designs and manufactures instruments, subsystems, process control solutions, lasers, and specialty chemicals used in semiconductor fabrication, electronics packaging, and industrial production. It sells capital equipment and consumables, along with software and services, to device makers and OEMs seeking to control pressure, flow, power, and contamination in advanced manufacturing. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, MKS is a public company trading on NASDAQ (MKSI).