Embedded Software Engineer - Quantum Sensing Systems

FIELDLINE INDUSTRIES•Boulder, CO

7d•$120,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

FieldLine Industries is hiring a mid-level Embedded Software Engineer to develop software for high-sensitivity quantum magnetometers and multi-sensor systems. The role spans firmware for sensors and small-satellite payloads, embedded Linux platforms, FPGA-connected data paths, and software tools for testing, calibration, and deployment. The engineer will work directly with the lead software engineer and a multidisciplinary team of physicists and electrical and mechanical engineers. The position involves close-to-hardware development and debugging, as well as higher-level work when needed, including sensor-data analysis, storage, and network communication among instruments, vehicles, and ground systems. The engineer will own major software subsystems, help establish the company’s software practices, and contribute to hardware deployed in the field. FieldLine describes the role as broad and suited to someone with a solid foundation in C/C++ and hardware who is curious, self-directed, and eager to learn. The role is full-time and onsite in Boulder, Colorado. FieldLine describes its working environment as a small, collaborative, highly technical team and notes that extended 80-hour workweeks are not expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
At least 3 years of professional experience developing embedded software for hardware products or instrumentation.
Strong C programming skills for resource-constrained, real-time systems; C++ is a plus.
Experience with an RTOS such as Zephyr or FreeRTOS and/or embedded Linux, including writing or adapting device drivers.
Hands-on experience bringing up new hardware and debugging at the hardware/software boundary using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
Ability to read schematics and datasheets and work directly with electrical engineers.
Proficiency in Python for tooling, test automation, and data analysis.
Experience with Git and collaborative development practices.
Self-driven, curious, and willing to learn.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Zephyr RTOS, including devicetree and board porting.
Experience with Yocto or Buildroot, Linux kernel modules, and cross-compilation toolchains.
Hands-on FPGA experience, including HDL (Verilog/VHDL), high-rate data acquisition, DMA, or AXI and similar interfaces.
Experience with higher-level software, including data analysis, database systems, and networking protocols.
Fundamentals of digital signal processing.
Flight software, small-satellite/CubeSat, or other high-reliability experience, including radiation effects or fault tolerance.
Drone or robotics software experience, such as ArduPilot or PX4, MAVLink, ground control stations, or Qt/C++.
Laboratory automation experience, including SCPI/VISA instrument control, motion control, machine vision, or DAQ hardware.
Exposure to magnetic sensing, precision measurement, or atomic/quantum systems.
Interest in contributing to quantum technology development; previous quantum or magnetometer experience is not essential.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain Zephyr RTOS firmware for sensor electronics and small-satellite payloads, including drivers, board support, and peripheral interfaces.
Build and maintain embedded Linux platforms for sensor systems, including board bring-up, kernel and device drivers, build systems, and system services.
Work on FPGA-based signal-processing systems, including data acquisition, buffering and streaming of high-rate sensor data, timing and synchronization, FPGA configuration and readout software, and FPGA designs as needed.
Design robust, fault-tolerant software for space and field environments, including non-volatile storage strategies, watchdogs, safe update paths, and telemetry and command interfaces.
Integrate sensors with drone platforms, autopilots, and ground stations.
Automate laboratory and production work, including instrument control, motion stages and cameras, calibration routines, and product-characterization test fixtures.
Contribute to higher-level software as projects require, including Python data pipelines and analysis tools, databases, and networked communication between sensors, vehicles, and ground systems.
Support board bring-up and system-level debugging with electrical and physics teams using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and debuggers.
Help establish software practices, including version control, code review, continuous integration, testing, and documentation.