R&D - Senior Firmware Engineer-IoT Algorithms

Job Description

Duracell has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Firmware Engineer with a strong background in hardware and algorithm development to contribute to our growing team. This role will be key in developing new products and features in our expanding IoT offerings. We are looking for a seasoned Firmware Engineer with a specialty in developing solutions for IoT Wi-Fi-enabled SoC hardware platforms. The role focuses on machine learning feature integration, diverse sensor integration, IoT systems, and the use of varied wired/wireless communication protocols. This role seeks an individual with expert experience in coding, hardware and ML implementation along with extensive experience in testing and debugging of firmware. This position will also contribute to optimizing existing code, as well as an adeptness in managing time-sensitive projects. You will mentor our junior engineers and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, secure, and reliable IoT solutions that meet and exceed the needs of our customers.

This position will be remote to start, with location to the greater Atlanta, GA area at a later date.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts on all development activities, including investigation, design, coding, and testing around algorithm development and implementation.
• Design and develop features in embedded applications, specifically focusing on IoT sensors, connectivity hardware, data ingestion and analysis, ML features integration, Edge processing of data, connection and communication with Cloud services.
• Create reusable components to significantly reduce device firmware development time.
• Develop and optimize supporting IoT system architectures for scalability, performance, and reliability, considering factors such as data volume, latency, optimal protocols, etc.
• Conduct system-level testing and validation of IoT solutions, analyzing performance metrics and addressing any issues or deficiencies through iterative refinement and optimization.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Develop and optimize code for low power SoC platforms, including data capture, processing, reporting, and implementing machine learning features using diverse low power sensors.
• Implement various wireless communication protocols primarily Wi-Fi, but can include BLE, Zigbee, NFC, LoRa, and others.
• Demonstrate ability reading hardware schematics and using common debugging tools including scopes, logic analyzers, emulators, and signal generators.
• Exhibit strong debugging skills and expertise using associated tools to identify and resolve firmware issues quickly and efficiently.
• Evaluate and optimize the performance of firmware, focusing on real-time data processing and transmission.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks, effectively working under time constraints to meet deadlines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integrated and effective solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in computer science, Electrical Engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in firmware development, with a strong emphasis on IoT systems data processing and associated communication protocols.
• 5 years of experience in FreeRTOS or similar.
• Exceptional coding skills with 7 years of experience with C/C , focusing on low power consumption and real-time performance in embedded systems.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies.
• Deep understanding of data structures and transmission protocols such as UDP, TCP-IP, MQTT, etc.
• Experience in coding for interfacing with cloud services and IoT platforms.
• Proven debugging and problem-solving abilities in a firmware development context and associated tools.
• Ability to evaluate and enhance firmware performance, especially in real-time operating environments.
• Strong background in both hardware and software aspects of embedded systems and IoT technologies.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and work under tight deadlines.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional programming language skills (Python, C , etc.) beneficial for IoT development and data analysis.
• Experience coding for battery operated hardware designs with tight power constraints.
• Previous work on large-scale, high-impact firmware projects.
• Familiarity with security protocols and best practices for IoT devices.
• Experience with continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Knowledge of machine learning algorithms and their implementation on embedded systems.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements for IoT devices.
• Proficiency in developing and optimizing ML algorithms for embedded systems.
• Experience with frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite, Edge Impulse, Renesas Reality AI, or similar for deploying ML models on low-power devices.
• Familiarity with ARM Cortex-M or similar microcontroller architectures.
• Experience in designing unit and validation tests for firmware, including automated testing frameworks and tools.
• Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments.
• In-depth understanding of various communication protocols used in IoT, such as MQTT, CoAP, and LoRaWAN.
• Ability to implement and optimize these protocols for secure and reliable data transmission.
• Knowledge of security best practices for IoT devices, including encryption, authentication, and secure boot processes.
• Strong project management skills to handle multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Excellent collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, data scientists, and product managers.
  
  

About Us

Duracell is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance alkaline batteries, complemented by a portfolio of high quality, market leading specialty, rechargeable and professional batteries. Duracell’s products power numerous critical professional devices across the globe such as heart rate monitors, defibrillators, telemetry devices, smoke detectors, fire alarms, automated valves and security systems. As the leader in the professional power category, Duracell has a rich history of innovation, continuously introducing batteries that are smaller, thinner, with more energy and longer lasting than competitive brands. Since March 2016, Duracell has found its permanent home within Berkshire Hathaway (ranked #4 World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune Magazine and #3 in the Fortune 500), and will continue to focus on sustainable growth, industry-leading innovation while creating long-term value for our customers and consumers. At Duracell, integrity, end-to-end accountability across all levels, fast decision-making and a “can do” attitude is highly valued.