Firmware Engineer
Vector Atomic
Summary
Vector Atomic is looking for a skilled Firmware Engineer to join a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware developers building next-generation quantum sensing instruments. In this role, you will design, implement, and verify embedded software for ST microcontrollers — including COTS devices and MCUs on custom ASICs — and develop the low-level control algorithms that make precision measurement possible. You will work closely with hardware engineers throughout the full product development cycle, from schematic review to board bring-up and production.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers, and firmware engineers to design and deliver next-generation quantum instruments.
- Write and verify embedded firmware for ST microcontrollers, including COTS devices and MCUs integrated into custom ASICs.
- Implement control algorithms critical to the operation of high-precision sensing instruments.
- Develop peripheral drivers for mixed-signal and other devices, working directly from electronic schematics.
- Partner with hardware engineers to support board testing and hardware bring-up activities.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement by authoring task tickets in GitHub and participating in code reviews, project reviews, and retrospectives.
- Clearly document and communicate your work through written and verbal channels with coworkers and collaborators.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with substantial embedded systems coursework, lab, or internship experience; other technical degrees considered with 2+ years of directly relevant experience.
- Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ code for small embedded processors.
- Proficiency writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware for embedded MCUs using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments.
- Experience developing scripts in Python, Perl, or similar languages.
- Hands-on experience using test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters) to validate firmware performance.
- Proven ability to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools.
- Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
- To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees and asylees.
- Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)
Preferred Experience (several of the following)
- Experience designing and implementing control algorithms such as PID controllers.
- Familiarity with fixed-point arithmetic and digital filter design for embedded applications.
- Experience interfacing with external devices via TCP, UDP, UART, SPI, I2C, or similar protocols.
- Proficiency in assembly language programming for embedded targets.
- Experience implementing lightweight Ethernet stacks (e.g., lwIP) on small embedded systems.
- Background working with SoC or FPGA devices.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science with substantial embedded systems coursework, lab, or internship experience; other technical degrees considered with 2+ years of directly relevant experience
- Demonstrated ability to write production-quality C/C++ code for small embedded processors
- Proficiency writing interrupt service routines, peripheral drivers, and multi-threaded firmware for embedded MCUs using RTOSs and/or bare-metal environments
- Experience developing scripts in Python, Perl, or similar languages
- Hands-on experience using test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators, voltmeters) to validate firmware performance
- Proven ability to isolate and resolve bugs using debuggers and simulation tools
- Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal
- Ability to work independently on assigned activities while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams
- To comply with US export control laws, Vector Atomic employees must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e. green card holders), and certain categories of refugees and asylees
- Ability to work onsite full-time at our office in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay Area)
Benefits
- Platinum-level family health coverage
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Health & Dependent Care FSA
- Employer 401(k) Contributions
- 20 Days PTO
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Fully Stocked Kitchen
Company overview
Vector Atomic is a pioneering quantum technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Pleasanton, California. The company specializes in commercializing quantum technology for real-world applications, with a primary focus on GPS-free navigation, telecommunications, and computing solutions. Vector Atomic develops advanced quantum sensors, atomic clocks, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems that leverage the exquisite properties of quantum systems. Their flagship products include the Evergreen-30, the world's first fully integrated commercial optical clock, and quantum inertial measurement units (IMUs) designed to provide standalone navigation capabilities without reliance on GNSS. The company has secured over $200 million in government contracts and works closely with defense agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, and DARPA. Vector Atomic's technology delivers precise picosecond timing with 1,000x improvement in GPS accuracy, making their systems deployable and field-validated for space, submarine, and airborne applications. In 2025, the company was acquired by IonQ, bringing over 75 specialized scientists, engineers, and operators to expand IonQ's quantum technology platform.