Firmware Engineer Co-op

Danaher • Indianapolis, IN

1d

About The Position

As an intern on Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ collaborative R&D team, the Firmware Engineer will help develop and support analytical instruments that integrate electronics, automation, and software. The role involves embedded firmware development for automated laboratory instrumentation, firmware integration with electrical and electromechanical prototype subsystems, and testing and verification of embedded systems. The co-op provides exposure to product development from requirements creation through implementation and verification testing.

Requirements

• Undergraduate student entering the final year of an Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related bachelor's program.
• Experience programming in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience with 32-bit microcontrollers and common embedded peripherals or interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, ADCs, and timers.
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS or similar.
• Experience using an integrated development environment such as Eclipse or VS Code.
• Experience with version control using GitHub or a similar system.
• Demonstrated teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using AI-assisted software development tools such as GitHub Copilot or Claude.
• Familiarity with product development processes spanning requirements creation, implementation, and verification testing.
• Knowledge of basic electronics and the ability to read and interpret electrical schematics.
• Experience configuring or working with automated build tools such as Jenkins.
• Basic understanding of PID control loops.

Responsibilities

• Assist with designing, developing, and debugging embedded firmware using C/C++ and Python for automated laboratory instrumentation.
• Develop firmware for 32-bit microcontrollers and interface with peripherals and communication protocols, including I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, ADCs, and timers.
• Work with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS or similar embedded platforms.
• Support integration of firmware with electrical and electromechanical subsystems in prototype instrumentation.
• Develop, debug, and test embedded functionality using development environments such as Eclipse or VS Code.
• Use GitHub and established version-control practices to manage firmware development and collaborate with the engineering team.
• Develop and execute firmware tests to characterize embedded-system functionality, performance, and reliability.
• Troubleshoot firmware and hardware interactions using structured problem-solving techniques and engineering test equipment.
• Analyze test results, identify root causes, and support implementation and verification of corrective actions.
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including firmware inspection records, test procedures, test reports, and verification results.
• Present findings and recommendations to engineering teams and participate in design reviews.
• Gain exposure to product development from requirements creation through implementation and verification testing.

Benefits

• Direct involvement in real R&D projects with measurable impact.
• Skill development in embedded firmware design, debugging, verification, and multidisciplinary instrumentation engineering.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers and opportunities to present technical work.
• Exposure to life-science automation systems integrating firmware, electronics, motion, sensing, and software.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern