The Role
Develop production-grade firmware for embedded systems in power grid applications. Responsibilities include firmware design, hardware collaboration, communication protocols, and security implementations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Utilidata is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid — bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them.
We are seeking an 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 security features, supporting high quality infrastructure, and collaborating closely 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 position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work. Candidates will be expected to collaborate cross-functionally with remote teams based across the country.
Responsibilities
Location: This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work.
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:
We are seeking an 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 security features, supporting high quality infrastructure, and collaborating closely 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 position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work. Candidates will be expected to collaborate cross-functionally with remote teams based across the country.
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
- Architect and implement embedded security across our platforms, including secure boot, signed-image pipelines, key management, debug-interface lockdown, and authenticated communication protocols
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines with automated testing, static analysis, and version-controlled release processes
- Utilize FPGA-based platforms to establish interfaces between FPGAs, MCUs, and SoMs using HDL (Verilog/VHDL)
- Collaborate cross-functionally with external contractors, cloud infrastructure, AI/algorithms, and product teams to deliver integrated solutions
- 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
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- HDL design and delivery experience (Verilog/VHDL/Chisel/SpinalHDL); familiarity with Xilinx Vivado, AMD Vitis, or Lattice toolchains
- Experience shipping firmware in high-reliability industries (medical, automotive, aerospace, industrial control, grid)
- Working knowledge of cryptographic primitives in embedded contexts (AES, HMAC, ECDSA, KDF), hardware roots of trust, and OTP-based key provisioning
- Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443, UL 2900) or equivalent
- Experience with high-throughput data paths: RDMA, RoCE, PCIe, or custom Ethernet protocols
- ARM TrustZone-M, PSA Certified, Arm TF-M, or vendor secure-element experience
- STM32H5 or similar Cortex-M33-class secure MCU experience
- Familiarity with ML, IoT, and AI SOMs (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, AMD/XILINX Kria)
- Understanding of the physics, mathematics, and hardware components which underlie the U.S. electricity grid and evolving power systems
- Experience mentoring more junior engineers
- Experience with Rust or modern embedded programming languages
- Expertise in Agile development methodologies and firmware design patterns
Location: This position is based onsite at our company headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with flexibility for occasional remote work.
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
Skills Required
- 7+ years developing and delivering production firmware for embedded systems
- Expert proficiency in C/C++ with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
- Strong understanding of embedded system architecture and hardware interfaces
- Experience with IoT devices utilizing microcontrollers and communication modules
- Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up and working directly with hardware teams
- Knowledge of debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
- Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
- Strong communication skills and collaborative work style with cross-functional teams
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
Utilidata is an AI-powered technology company that is working with NVIDIA to create the next generation of AI-embedded infrastructure, starting with the electric grid. Karman, our distributed AI platform, operates on our custom NVIDIA module, makes data available for accelerated computing at the edge, and trains AI models locally. Karman is embedded in grid devices - starting with smart meters - to transform the way utility companies operate. As the electric grid becomes more complex with the rapid increase of electric vehicles, distributed solar, batteries, heat pumps and extreme weather, utilities need real-time visibility of grid conditions and dynamic, software-defined infrastructure. Karman provides real-time visibility and AI at the grid edge so utilities can better utilize customer energy resources, reduce power outages, and enable quicker storm recovery. We are a mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptive team working to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. With backgrounds in electric engineering, power systems engineering, software engineering, data science, and energy policy, we bring a unique perspective on the solutions the energy industry needs. We are committed to ensuring a diverse, inclusive, and flexible workplace where employees are provided mentorship and growth opportunities and are empowered to solve problems as part of a collaborative team.
.png)
