{"id":2607031,"url":"https://alion.io/job/motivo-firmware-engineer","title":"Firmware Engineer","company":{"id":4423603,"name":"motivo","domain":"motivo.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/motivo-5","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Rippling","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":57,"open_postings":14,"ghost_share":0.714,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":110000,"max":130000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":130000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CANopen","optional":false},{"name":"DO-178C","optional":false},{"name":"PID Control","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Verification & Validation","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-04-17T21:45:44Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-04-17","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T07:57:39Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":187,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":187},"description":"About Motivo\nWe are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic multidisciplinary engineer, capable of leading the technical decision-making process in electro-mechanical projects that require a solid system architecture. Motivo is a project-based product development company focused on designing systems containing mechanical, electrical, and software components. Our programs typically span from clean-sheet design through prototype validation, though we occasionally shepherd our clients through to the start of production as well. We develop products for diverse market segments, including mobility/automotive, medical/health/fitness, industrial automation, energy storage and conversion, aerospace, consumer devices, and more. We are the secret weapon behind many early-stage startups seeking to develop their first product, as well as Fortune 500 R&D branches looking to innovate on their next flagship product.\nWhat is a Firmware Engineer at Motivo?\nAt Motivo, Firmware Engineers are highly valued and versatile team members. They are the linchpin in executing complex embedded software projects from concept to validation. We look for creative problem-solvers with a keen eye for detail and the ability to balance competing priorities.\nWorking closely with a Project Manager, Electrical Engineers, and Systems Engineers, a Firmware Engineer guides focused engineering teams through the initial phases of product development. This involves:\nPlanning technical and programmatic aspects of embedded software architecture.\nDefining and reviewing complete bare-metal or RTOS system architectures.\nIdentifying and managing software risks, especially regarding real-time constraints and fault handling.\nIdentifying key communication protocols and feedback sensor strategies.\nLeading technical teams to successful software integration and project completion.\nIn later phases, you'll lead brainstorms, conduct code reviews, provide technical guidance, and assist with debugging and troubleshooting during hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation & verification (V&V) activities. An ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of control theory, MCU interfacing, and motor control to effectively communicate and understand hardware-software interactions. This role is perfect for an incredibly sharp engineer with an insatiable curiosity for all aspects of engineering!\nKey Responsibilities\nAs a Firmware Engineer, you will:\nArchitect and write bare-metal or RTOS-based firmware (C/C++) for custom MCUs to manage real-time motor control.\nDesign, implement, and tune PID control loops (position, velocity, torque) for precise actuation across single and dual-motor configurations (500W to 5000W).\nDevelop robust communication interfaces between the custom MCU and COTS motor drive PCBs, utilizing protocols such as CANopen, CAN-FD, or Ethernet.\nIntegrate, calibrate, and process data from high-resolution feedback sensors (e.g., resolvers, absolute/incremental encoders, Hall effect sensors).\nImplement state machines and diagnostic routines to ensure fail-safe operation, supporting 1-motor vs. 2-motor redundancy architectures and fault-tolerant communication.\nPartner with Hardware EEs to test MCU-to-COTS drive integrations, participating in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and dynamometer/test-stand validation.\nFoster a culture of technical excellence and robust software V&V processes.\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.\n7+ years of professional experience in embedded software development (C/C++) for real-time, safety-critical systems.\nDeep understanding of motor control theory, real-time servo control, and PID loop tuning.\nHands-on experience interfacing with COTS motor controllers and implementing CANopen (or similar fieldbus protocols).\nExperience with feedback sensor processing (resolvers, encoders) and digital signal filtering.\nStrong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with hardware teams and external clients.\nA passion for innovation and a desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.\nPreferred\nMaster of Science in a relevant engineering discipline.\nExperience in industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles (EV), or robotics.\nFamiliarity with aerospace software standards (e.g., DO-178C) or automotive standards (e.g., ISO 26262).\nExperience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing frameworks.\nA portfolio of successfully launched products featuring custom embedded motor control.\nBenefits\nWe’re convinced that the team and the projects are hands-down the best part of working at Motivo. To support that, we offer a solid benefits package including high-quality insurance, a 401(k) match, generous vacation time, and our Monday-Thursday 4/10 work week. We offer profit-sharing bonuses, which are tied to overall company performance, because we believe in winning together; we’re transparent about the company’s numbers, and when our hard work drives financial success, employees may share in the upside.\nBase Salary Range:$110,000 - $130,000\nSalary is dependent on experience, knowledge and interview performance.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5218,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":7,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Generous vacation"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Design & Creative","Science & Engineering","Industrial Design"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-15T10:06:06Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":5,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.191,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":187,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","ghost","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":130000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/motivo-firmware-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/motivo-firmware-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T08:50:00Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":5137,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":4423603},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=4423603"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fmotivo-firmware-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fmotivo-firmware-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fmotivo-firmware-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/motivo-firmware-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fmotivo-firmware-engineer"}]}