Senior Firmware Test Engineer

Motorola Solutions•San Mateo, CA

4d•$130,000 - $160,000

About The Position

As a test automation expert at Avigilon Alta, you will be the technical authority responsible for the validation strategy of our next-generation access control ecosystem. This role requires a deep understanding of how embedded systems interact with the physical world and the cloud. You will bridge the gap between electronics design, firmware development, and world-class test automation. We are looking for an outstanding team member to architect and drive the validation strategy for our deeply embedded firmware across new and existing products. We are seeking a senior technical leader to join us as we build, scale, and innovatively validate our industry-leading platform for access control and office automation. Outstanding analytical skills and a developer-centric approach to automation are a must. We are particularly seeking candidates who can bridge the gap between hardware and software—possessing the skills to design sophisticated Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) automation and troubleshoot complex system behaviors in power-constrained, real-time environments.

Requirements

A strong background in electronics; you are comfortable reading schematics and understanding the electrical constraints of embedded systems.
Proven experience in firmware development or low-level testing (C/C++), with a firm grasp of RTOS, interrupt handling, and memory management.
Expert-level proficiency in Python or similar languages for building scalable, automated test suites.
Comprehensive knowledge of serial and networked communication (UART, SPI, I2C, TCP/IP, and RS-485).
The ability to see the "big picture" of a product ecosystem and the discipline to build a validation culture that balances speed with unshakeable reliability.
7+ years of experience in firmware development, embedded systems engineering, or firmware validation, with at least 3 years in a lead or principal capacity.
Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (Master’s preferred).
Expert-level proficiency in Python for developing complex, scalable test automation frameworks from scratch.
Deep understanding of C/C++ and the ability to read and critique production-level firmware, including RTOS-based architectures and interrupt-driven logic.
Hands-on experience with hardware lab equipment, including Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers, and Digital Multimeters for low-level signal analysis and troubleshooting.
Advanced knowledge of wired and wireless interfaces, specifically RS-485, UART, I2C, SPI, and TCP/IP networking.
Proven track record of implementing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
Bachelor’s Degree
7+ years of firmware or embedded development
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required. Employer work permit sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred

Responsibilities

Design and lead the execution of comprehensive test strategies that cover the "hardware-to-cloud" journey, ensuring our readers and controllers are secure, performant, and resilient.
Develop sophisticated, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) automation frameworks that exercise firmware at the driver, middle-ware, and application layers.
Utilize a broad understanding of electronics to debug complex issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol sniffers.
Validate and stress-test a variety of communication protocols including RS-485, Ethernet/IP, BLE, NFC, and UWB.
Ensure robust device connectivity and security by testing network stacks, TLS/X.509 certificate handling, and data integrity across various deployment environments.
Mentor junior engineers and collaborate directly with Hardware and Software teams to implement "testability" into the product design phase (DFT/DFM).