Firmware Engineer

Firmware Test Engineer

This role focuses on testing and validating embedded firmware for hardware and connected IoT devices in a hands-on lab environment. You will design and execute comprehensive manual tests, use advanced lab and debug tools to identify and resolve issues, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality firmware releases.

Responsibilities

• Execute manual firmware testing, including functional, regression, integration, performance, and stress testing on embedded systems and connected IoT devices.
• Develop, maintain, and refine test plans, test cases, and test documentation based on firmware requirements and product specifications.
• Perform hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing to validate firmware behavior under realistic operating conditions.
• Validate firmware behavior across embedded systems and connected IoT devices to ensure reliability, stability, and expected functionality.
• Identify, document, and track firmware defects using issue-tracking tools, and collaborate with firmware developers and hardware engineers to drive timely resolution.
• Support cross-platform and compatibility testing to confirm consistent performance across different devices and configurations.
• Assist with user acceptance testing (UAT) and final release validation to help ensure production-ready firmware quality.
• Use lab and debug tools, such as oscilloscopes, serial consoles, JTAG, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers, to troubleshoot firmware and communication issues.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of testing processes, methodologies, and best practices within the firmware test team.
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams, including firmware developers, hardware engineers, and product teams, to clarify requirements, share findings, and support project milestones.
• Execute tests and experiments in a manufacturing and lab setting, carefully documenting procedures, results, and observations.
• Support or create scripts and other automation tools to streamline firmware testing and improve test coverage where possible.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience testing embedded firmware on physical hardware in a lab or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to execute functional, regression, integration, performance, and stress testing for firmware and embedded systems.
• Experience debugging firmware issues using serial consoles, JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Familiarity with embedded communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB, and Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi.
• Experience documenting and tracking defects using tools like JIRA or similar issue-tracking systems.
• Comfort working cross-functionally with firmware developers, hardware engineers, and product teams.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment.
• 1–2+ years of experience working in a manufacturing or lab setting.
• B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience writing test scripts or using other automation tools to support firmware testing.
• Exposure to C or C++ for reading or lightly modifying test-related code.
• Experience with Wireshark, protocol analyzers, or API testing tools such as Postman.
• Familiarity with embedded user interface and user experience validation.
• Experience testing IoT or connected devices.
• Interest in contributing to continuous process improvement and test methodology enhancements.

Work Environment

This position is based in a beautiful, brand-new lab facility in Carlsbad with a collaborative team environment. You will work alongside a group of approximately 15 lab engineers in a hands-on, hardware-focused setting. The schedule follows a 9/80 structure, with typical hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and flexibility to start between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., along with an alternate work week that provides every other Friday off. The facility offers an on-site self-service café with free gourmet coffee stations, an on-site gym, ping-pong and foosball tables, an outdoor bocce ball court, BBQ area, and firepit, as well as company-sponsored social and recreational events that foster a fun and engaging culture. The environment is fast-paced, lab-centric, and highly collaborative, with frequent interaction with engineering and product teams and regular use of lab instruments, test benches, and embedded hardware.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Carlsbad, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $37.00/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 Carlsbad, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 9, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.