Firmware Engineer

Summary

Join Shift5, a rapidly growing scale-up specializing in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for operational technology (OT) systems. As a Firmware Engineer, you will play a crucial role in designing and developing firmware that unlocks critical data streams for our DoD and commercial customers. You will architect and define FPGA-based data acquisition and transmission systems, design and implement HDL modules, develop robust hardware-software interface layers, and troubleshoot issues across hardware, firmware, and software. This position requires collaboration with a driven team, a low-ego approach, and a thriving attitude towards new challenges. Shift5 offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a base salary, bonus program, equity, comprehensive health coverage, life and disability insurance, uncapped paid time off, and flexible work/remote work policies.

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in FPGA design and testing , preferably with VHDL
• Knowledge of AXI4 and AXI4-Stream protocols
• Experience with scripting languages (TCL, Bash, Python, etc.)
• Experience designing HDL simulations (ModelSim, GHDL, or similar)
• Experience with embedded software development (C, C++, or similar)
• Comfortable debugging firmware, software, and hardware issues
• Proficient with the Linux command line environment
• Experience with Git or similar version control, and CI/CD automations

Responsibilities

• Architect and define FPGA-based data acquisition and transmission systems
• Design and implement HDL modules, including developing testbenches for verification
• Develop robust hardware-software interface layers
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues across hardware, firmware, and software
• Clearly document architectures, data flows, and interface specifications
• Understand and work with serial protocols (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, UART, CAN) from physical to application layers
• Contribute to hardware, system, and code design reviews, offering critical feedback and innovative solutions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with formal FPGA design verification is a plus
• Experience with Linux kernel driver development is a plus

Benefits

• Base Salary: $125,000-200,000
• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work & remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)