Controls Firmware Engineer

Controls Firmware Engineer

As a Controls Firmware Engineer, you will design and develop real-time embedded firmware that enables advanced grid-tied energy storage and vehicle-to-grid systems for residential, industrial, and utility applications. You will play a key role in implementing grid support control algorithms, ensuring safe and compliant operation with global grid standards, and driving the performance and robustness of firmware that underpins market-leading products in sustainable energy.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including firmware, software, compliance, and systems engineers, to lead firmware design across multiple products and global markets.
• Implement grid support control algorithms in software to maintain precise control of voltage, frequency, power, and related parameters for stable and responsible grid interaction.
• Develop and maintain integration tests, including Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) setups, to validate control algorithms and firmware behavior under realistic operating conditions.
• Drive firmware development with a focus on performance, scalability, modularity, robustness, and tight integration with hardware platforms.
• Develop, enhance, and debug new and existing real-time firmware using C and C++ in embedded RTOS environments.
• Dive into existing codebases and complex systems to understand, improve, and extend functionality for new markets and grid requirements.
• Work with stakeholders across engineering and compliance to interpret grid codes and safety standards, translating them into reliable firmware implementations.
• Contribute engineering leadership and pragmatic decision-making to navigate evolving requirements and unpaved technical paths in emerging grid applications.
• Support the development of highly available, mission-critical applications and their corresponding automated test suites to ensure reliability at scale.

Skills:

• Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded firmware development.
• Experience developing firmware for real-time control systems in embedded RTOS environments.
• Strong problem-solving and coding skills, with the ability to debug and optimize complex embedded systems.
• Solid understanding of power electronics concepts relevant to grid-tied systems.
• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, particularly in control systems and embedded hardware-software integration.
• Experience building highly available, mission-critical applications and associated test suites.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and work across multiple products and markets.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with Rust for systems programming in embedded or performance-critical environments.
• Familiarity with grid and microgrid operation, including concepts such as voltage and frequency regulation, power quality, and grid stability.
• Knowledge of grid compliance and safety standards for grid-tied power electronics, such as UL 1741, IEEE 1547, VDE 4105, EN 50549, and G98/G99.
• Experience with Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing frameworks.
• Experience in developing or supporting grid-tied products such as residential battery systems or vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new codebases, tools, and system architectures.
• Comfort working in fast-evolving technical domains where requirements and standards continue to develop.

Work Environment:

You will work in a highly collaborative engineering environment focused on advancing sustainable energy technologies and grid-connected storage solutions. The role involves close interaction with firmware, software, compliance, and systems engineering teams, as well as exposure to power electronics hardware and embedded RTOS-based platforms. You will use modern programming languages such as C, C++, and Rust, and work with SiL and HiL test environments to validate real-time control algorithms. The position centers on mission-critical, real-time systems that must operate reliably at scale in residential, industrial, and utility settings. The culture values pragmatism, creativity, and a willingness to explore unpaved technical paths while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and compliance.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Palo Alto, CA.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr. 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)

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Palo Alto, CA.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.

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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.