Computer Engineer

Job Title: Computer Engineer Embedded Software / Firmware

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, testing, debugging, and maintaining embedded firmware and software for innovative diagnostic, sampling, and instrumentation products. You will work extensively with STM32 microcontrollers, bare-metal firmware, and Embedded C, supporting closed-loop embedded systems and architectures that incorporate FPGA, STM microcontrollers, and embedded firmware. You will contribute across the full product lifecyclefrom early concept and prototyping through implementation, testing, and productionpartnering closely with hardware, systems, and other engineering disciplines to deliver robust, high-quality embedded solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, debug, and maintain embedded firmware using Embedded C for microcontroller-based products and medical device instrumentation.
• Develop bare-metal firmware for STM32 and STM microcontrollers, ensuring reliable operation in closed-loop embedded systems.
• Implement and support both bare-metal and real-time embedded applications across complex sensing and instrumentation platforms.
• Develop and maintain software running within embedded Linux environments, including use of Buildroot and related Linux development tools.
• Work within product architectures that incorporate FPGA, STM microcontrollers, and embedded firmware, ensuring seamless integration between hardware and software.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, hardware, systems, and software engineers to integrate embedded software into larger product architectures.
• Participate in system architecture definition, technical design activities, requirements analysis, and software implementation for new products.
• Support new product development as programs progress through concept, prototyping, implementation, testing, and production phases.
• Diagnose complex firmware and system-level issues, perform root-cause analysis, and contribute to effective resolutions.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve software defects across embedded hardware platforms, including microcontroller-based systems and FPGA-based architectures.
• Perform unit testing, integration testing, and system-level validation to ensure software reliability, performance, and safety.
• Participate in software design reviews, code reviews, and technical discussions to maintain high standards of software quality and maintainability.
• Contribute to product documentation and engineering deliverables throughout the development lifecycle, including design records and test documentation.
• Support product integration, deployment, and long-term sustainment efforts for embedded software and firmware.
• Follow established software engineering best practices, quality standards, and development processes in all phases of work.

Essential Skills

• 210 years of relevant embedded software and firmware experience, including applicable advanced-degree or meaningful co-op experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with STM32 or STM microcontrollers, including development, implementation, and debugging on embedded hardware.
• Demonstrated experience developing bare-metal firmware with solid programming skills in Embedded C.
• Proficiency in developing embedded software for microcontroller-based systems using C and C++.
• Experience with embedded Linux environments, including use of embedded Linux toolchains and Buildroot.
• Solid understanding of microcontrollers, embedded system architecture, and closed-loop embedded systems.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills with the ability to reason through complex embedded software and system-level issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including hardware, electrical, systems, and software engineers.
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore five days per week in a hands-on engineering environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting the full product development lifecycle, from early-stage concept and prototyping through implementation, testing, and production.
• Expereince working on diagnostic, sampling, and instrumentation products where firmware directly interacts with physical devices.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based architectures and integrating firmware within systems that include FPGAs and microcontrollers.
• Experience conducting code reviews, design reviews, and contributing to technical discussions focused on software quality and maintainability.
• Comfort operating in a highly hands-on environment, working directly with laboratory equipment, hardware prototypes, and embedded platforms.
• Interest in new product development rather than maintaining mature or legacy codebases.
• Ability to document designs, test results, and engineering decisions clearly and thoroughly throughout the development lifecycle.

Work Environment

This is a fully onsite role based in a Baltimore office, with an expectation of working on site five days per week, particularly given the hands-on nature of new product development. You will spend significant time working directly with hardware, laboratory equipment, and physical product prototypes as products move from concept through prototyping, implementation, and production. The engineering team includes approximately 14 computer engineers within an organization of about 60 employees, providing a collaborative environment with close interaction across multiple disciplines. The culture centers on modern, forward-looking product development, exposure to new technologies, and solving technically challenging problems rather than maintaining legacy systems. As you establish yourself and based on performance, there may be opportunities for some flexibility on days when hands-on lab work is not required, while maintaining a strong presence in the lab and development spaces.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Baltimore, MD.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $77.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Baltimore, MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Baltimore,MD.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.