Embedded Firmware Engineer

Job Description

General Summary:

The Engineering & Applied Physics team at Vertex, San Diego, is looking to add a top-notch Instrumentation Engineer to our small, elite team of engineers and physicists. From advanced robotics and automation to microfluidics and cutting-edge microscopy, this unique in-house team develops a wide array of performance focused technological solutions for the toughest challenges in drug discovery. Where commercial options don’t exist, the team collaborates directly with Vertex scientists to create innovative solutions that enable ground-breaking science and discovery of life-saving medicines. The Instrumentation Engineer plays a key role not only in developing control software, firmware and hardware to run our instruments, but also ensures effective integration with our science to maximize the impact we have on drug discovery.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Deliver creative, innovative, effective solutions to challenging engineering problems
• Develop custom control firmware/software for data acquisition, motion control, signal processing, automated workflow, and user interface/experience
• Develop, deploy, and support custom instrumentation; from initial proof of concept to small scale production; in Vertex labs from San Diego to Boston and the UK
• Train Vertex scientists in the operation and care of that instrumentation
• Gather requirements from scientists and create specifications for embedded applications
• Administer hardware system bring up activities

Knowledge and Skills:

• A passion for science and engineering, and a desire to tangibly apply that passion in the pursuit of transforming the lives of patients with serious diseases
• Must have solid experience with embedded system firmware development
• Strong programming experience in either Python, C or C++ in context of instrument control, automation or robotics
• Strong proficiency with C programming on MCU’s is required, preferably STM32
• Hands-on experience with bringing up new embedded prototypes
• Have experience with debugging tools and methodologies
• Experience programming within a software team environment
• Experience with I2C, SPI, UART and CAN bus communication protocols
• Some experience with Xilinx FPGA’s or VHDL/ Verilog
• Electronic hardware knowledge of embedded processors
• Some experience with Edge computing and IOT devices
• Proficiency in control software development, including system design, UI/UX, configuration, setup, complex troubleshooting, and service
• Ability to learn LabVIEW
• Willingness to explore latest industry FPGA hardware and OpenCL to bring in-house
• Aptitude for hands-on work with complex electro-mechanical systems, instrument support
• Exceptional multitasking and communication skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Able to transition seamlessly and productively between independent work and collaboration in diverse, cross-discipline, cross-functional teams
• A compulsive problem solver; able to deliver innovative, effective solutions to challenging problems, in a high-paced, highly productive, and collaborative work environment

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering or other relevant Engineering disciplines
• 8+ years' experience in developing software/firmware for either instrumentation, automation, medical, industrial, military and/or robotics