The Role
Develop and maintain firmware for connected, battery-powered embedded devices. Responsibilities include sensor handling, event-driven logic, wireless provisioning, secure communications, device reporting, power optimization, integration with hardware and cloud teams, testing, troubleshooting, and technical documentation. The role requires strong C/C++ firmware experience, low-power product expertise, embedded interfaces, connectivity workflows, and software engineering practices. RTOS, positioning, regulatory development, production readiness, and Python automation experience are preferred.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
Requirements
BenefitsBenefits
About MistyWest
MistyWest is a hardware engineering consultancy that exists to create novel technologies that enable a healthier planet and bring prosperity to all humankind, with a focus primarily on hardware projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We are hiring a Firmware Engineer (Contractor) to support an embedded product build. You will help develop core firmware features, including device sensing, power management, connectivity, and reliable system reporting.
Requirements
- Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain firmware for connected embedded devices, coordinating across multiple boards or modules as needed
- Implement reliable sensor handling and event-driven state logic
- Support wireless connectivity features, including provisioning/setup workflows and basic network health reporting
- Ensure secure communications and define retry, buffering, and recovery behaviors when connectivity is unavailable
- Deliver periodic device state reporting and time-sensitive event notifications aligned to service targets
- Optimize low-power operation through effective sleep/wake strategies and battery-aware behaviors
- Partner with hardware, mechanical, and software/cloud teams to support integration, troubleshooting, and validation
- Create and execute test plans for key functional and integration scenarios
- Produce clear documentation, including firmware design notes, configuration details, and test evidence for acceptance readiness
- Must-Have Qualifications
- 5+ years of embedded firmware experience
- Strong C/C++ experience for microcontrollers and/or embedded systems
- Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting
- Hands-on experience with: GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, debouncing
- Experience implementing secure connectivity: Wi-Fi provisioning patterns (AP mode, captive portal, BLE assist, or similar)
- Strong software practices: Git, code reviews, clean architecture, testable firmware patterns
- Nice-to-Have
- RTOS experience (Zephyr, FreeRTOS, or similar)
- Experience with Wi-Fi positioning or location inference workflows
- Familiarity with regulatory-minded development (FCC/UL), and privacy/security standards
- Experience bringing products through integration testing and production readiness
- Python scripting for test automation or tooling
BenefitsBenefits
- Highly flexible: negotiate your own rates, hours and work location.
- Hardware & Software Access: MistyWest can provide equipment and software support where needed
- Try us out! Find out if MistyWest would be a good permanent employer for your needs and career direction
- Amazing Community: plug into a great local and global community of engineers and product design enthusiasts for events, projects, potential work & personal development.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of embedded firmware experience
- Strong C/C++ experience with microcontrollers or embedded systems
- Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting
- Hands-on experience with GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, and debouncing
- Experience implementing secure connectivity and Wi-Fi provisioning patterns
- Strong software practices, including Git, code reviews, clean architecture, and testable firmware patterns
- RTOS experience, such as FreeRTOS
- Experience with Wi-Fi positioning or location inference workflows
- Familiarity with FCC/UL regulatory-minded development and privacy/security standards
- Experience bringing products through integration testing and production readiness
- Python scripting for test automation or tooling
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The Company
What We Do
MistyWest is an engineering design consultancy that develops market-ready solutions and creates technically complex intelligent connected devices to accelerate the world's transition to a sustainable future, focusing on projects that advance UN Sustainable Development Goals.
