Firmware Engineer Contractor

Overview

About MistyWest

MistyWest is a hardware engineering consultancy that exists to create novel technologies that enable a healthier planet and bring prosperity to all humankind, with a focus primarily on hardware projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are hiring a Firmware Engineer (Contractor) to support an embedded product build. You will help develop core firmware features, including device sensing, power management, connectivity, and reliable system reporting.

• Key Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain firmware for connected embedded devices, coordinating across multiple boards or modules as needed
• Implement reliable sensor handling and event-driven state logic 
• Support wireless connectivity features, including provisioning/setup workflows and basic network health reporting
• Ensure secure communications and define retry, buffering, and recovery behaviors when connectivity is unavailable
• Deliver periodic device state reporting and time-sensitive event notifications aligned to service targets
• Optimize low-power operation through effective sleep/wake strategies and battery-aware behaviors
• Partner with hardware, mechanical, and software/cloud teams to support integration, troubleshooting, and validation
• Create and execute test plans for key functional and integration scenarios
• Produce clear documentation, including firmware design notes, configuration details, and test evidence for acceptance readiness
• Must-Have Qualifications
• 5+ years of embedded firmware experience 
• Strong C/C++ experience for microcontrollers and/or embedded systems
• Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting
• Hands-on experience with: GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, debouncing
• Experience implementing secure connectivity: Wi-Fi provisioning patterns (AP mode, captive portal, BLE assist, or similar)
• Strong software practices: Git, code reviews, clean architecture, testable firmware patterns
• Nice-to-Have
• RTOS experience (Zephyr, FreeRTOS, or similar)
• Experience with Wi-Fi positioning or location inference workflows
• Familiarity with regulatory-minded development (FCC/UL), and privacy/security standards
• Experience bringing products through integration testing and production readiness
• Python scripting for test automation or tooling

Benefits

• Highly flexible: negotiate your own rates, hours and work location.
• Hardware & Software Access: MistyWest can provide equipment and software support where needed
• Try us out! Find out if MistyWest would be a good permanent employer for your needs and career direction
• Amazing Community: plug into a great local and global community of engineers and product design enthusiasts for events, projects, potential work & personal development.