Firmware Engineer – Embedded Controls / Sensors

Darkblade Systems, LLC•Aberdeen, MD

4d•$180,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

CIS Secure is seeking a Firmware Engineer – Embedded Controls / Sensors to join our team supporting the REACT program at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. The Firmware Engineer will develop and modify embedded firmware for advanced hardware systems supporting critical national security missions. This role works directly with devices such as gimbals, optics, motors, sensors, and other embedded subsystems to implement new capabilities, integrate hardware, and troubleshoot complex system behavior.

Requirements

Experience developing or modifying embedded firmware in C/C++ or similar low-level languages.
Experience with microcontrollers, embedded processors, or SoCs and associated peripherals.
Experience interfacing with hardware using SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, PWM, ADC/DAC, or similar interfaces.
Experience developing firmware for motors, actuators, sensors, optics, gimbals, or other electromechanical systems.
Strong understanding of real-time embedded systems, interrupts, timers, memory management, and hardware interfaces.
Experience debugging firmware and hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, debuggers, and other laboratory equipment.
Ability to read schematics, datasheets, interface control documents, and existing firmware to understand and modify embedded systems.
Active TS/SCI security clearance required.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing firmware for gimbals, motor controllers, camera systems, electro-optical systems, or stabilized payloads.
Experience with motor control, encoders, PID/control loops, position control, or stabilization systems.
Experience integrating IMUs, cameras, environmental sensors, GNSS receivers, or other sensor systems.
Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, or bare-metal development.
Familiarity with STM32, NXP, TI, Microchip, or similar embedded platforms.
Experience reverse engineering, modifying, or extending existing or undocumented firmware.
Familiarity with bootloaders, firmware update mechanisms, device drivers, and low-level communications protocols.
Experience supporting UAS, robotics, autonomous systems, imaging systems, or other embedded platforms.
Experience rapidly prototyping and testing firmware against physical hardware.

Responsibilities

Design, modify, and debug low-level software running on embedded processors and microcontrollers.
Work closely with electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to integrate sensors, actuators, imaging systems, and control hardware.
Understand and modify existing firmware, develop new functionality, and troubleshoot problems that cross the hardware/firmware boundary.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

401(k) with company matching
Dental insurance
Medical insurance
Health Savings Account option
Flexible Spending
Vision insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Ancillary offerings (Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance)
Paid Time Off
Holiday pay