Firmware Specialist Engineer

ph3Technology Embedded Systems – Institute Itech /h3 ulliFull-time position /liliHybrid work model (Milan, Italy – with international scope) /liliTravel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval /liliAn NDA must be signed /li /ul pThis position may evolve into Senior Firmware Specialist or Lead Embedded Systems Engineer, depending on performance and contribution to Institute Itech's technology infrastructure. /p h3About Institute Itech: /h3 pInstitute Itech is a private research, development and technological innovation institute based in Italy with an international vision. It was created to transform scientific knowledge, advanced engineering and emerging technologies into concrete solutions for the environment, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems and technological infrastructure. /p pThe company is built on a multidisciplinary vision structured around six pillars: Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research and Urban. Through these areas, Institute Itech develops high-impact projects capable of improving quality of life, making cities more sustainable and creating new models of scientific, industrial and social progress. /p h3Its flagship projects include: /h3 ulliMemoriaTM – AI-based neuroimaging and cognitive data intelligence /liliOxyleafTM – environmental monitoring and air quality technologies /liliTerraTM – advanced soil and ecological remediation systems /liliPolarisTM – strategic data infrastructure and positioning systems /liliBalloonTM – high-altitude sensing and urban climate platforms /liliBiocityTM – integrated biourban planning and smart city ecosystems /li /ul h3About the Role: /h3 pInstitute Itech is seeking a technically solid and experienced Firmware Specialist to join its embedded systems team in a hybrid capacity between Milan and international project contexts. The role is transversal in nature: the candidate will contribute across multiple flagship projects, developing and maintaining firmware solutions with a significant degree of autonomy across the full embedded development stack — from low-level microcontroller programming to IoT connectivity, real-time system management, and hardware-software integration. /p pThe selected candidate will work alongside hardware designers, mechanical engineers, software developers, and project leads, taking ownership of embedded firmware workstreams and contributing to the design, development, and validation of systems that power Institute Itech's environmental sensing platforms, urban monitoring infrastructure, and advanced technology projects. /p pThis is an ideal opportunity for a mid-level firmware professional looking to deepen their expertise across a technically demanding and diverse project portfolio with meaningful real-world impact. /p h3Responsibilities: /h3 ulliDesign, develop, and maintain firmware for microcontrollers and embedded processors (STM32, ESP32, ARM Cortex, or equivalent) /liliWrite clean, efficient, and well-documented code in C and C++ /liliImplement and maintain device drivers, hardware abstraction layers (HAL), and Board Support Packages (BSPs) /liliLead the porting and adaptation of firmware across different hardware platforms and configurations /li /ul h3Real-Time Systems Peripheral Management /h3 ulliDevelop and manage real-time applications using RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent) /liliEnsure timing, scheduling, and interrupt management meet system-level performance requirements /liliIntegrate and configure peripherals including UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, ADC, and PWM /liliDebug and resolve real-time behavioral issues across hardware and software boundaries /li /ul h3IoT Connectivity Sensor Integration /h3 ulliImplement communication protocols for IoT-connected embedded devices (MQTT, BLE, LoRa, Wi-Fi, or equivalent) /liliDevelop firmware for sensor data acquisition, local processing, and wireless transmission /liliSupport the integration of embedded nodes with cloud platforms and backend data infrastructure /liliContribute to the design of low-power embedded architectures for field-deployed systems /liliDesign and execute firmware testing procedures including unit tests and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation /liliUse debugging tools including JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers to diagnose and resolve issues /liliDocument test results, bug reports, and firmware release notes in line with Institute Itech's engineering standards /liliSupport the transition of firmware from prototype to production-ready embedded systems /li /ul h3Cross-Project Technical Contribution /h3 ulliContribute embedded firmware expertise across projects including BalloonTM, OxyleafTM, TerraTM, and MemoriaTM /liliParticipate in technical design reviews, architecture decisions, and cross-functional planning sessions /liliIdentify and communicate firmware-level risks and propose mitigation strategies in collaboration with project leads /liliMentor junior team members and support knowledge transfer within the embedded systems team /li /ul h3Documentation Knowledge Sharing /h3 ulliMaintain thorough technical documentation for all firmware development activities /liliProduce firmware specifications, integration guides, and release documentation /liliContribute to internal technical wikis and engineering knowledge bases /li /ul h3Requirements /h3 ulliBachelor's or Master's degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a closely related discipline /lili4–6 years of experience in firmware or embedded systems development /liliStrong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded applications /liliHands-on experience with microcontrollers and embedded processors (STM32, ESP32, ARM Cortex, or equivalent) /liliSolid experience with RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent) /liliSolid knowledge of standard communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, BLE, LoRa, Wi-Fi, or equivalent) /liliExperience with hardware debugging tools (JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) /liliProficiency in version control with Git /liliSystematic problem-solving approach, strong attention to detail, and a hands-on mindset /li /ul h3Preferred Qualifications /h3 ulliExperience with low-power design techniques for battery-operated and field-deployed embedded systems /liliKnowledge of wireless communication stacks and RF system integration /liliFamiliarity with Linux-based embedded systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or equivalent) /liliExperience supporting hardware bring-up and PCB validation processes /liliBackground in environmental monitoring, aerospace, robotics, or urban technology applications /liliKnowledge of functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or equivalent) /liliFamiliarity with CI/CD pipelines applied to embedded firmware development /liliBasic knowledge of Python for scripting, test automation, or data visualization /li /ul h3Benefits Provided /h3 ulliMid-level role with significant autonomy and ownership across a technically diverse project portfolio /liliDirect collaboration with hardware engineers, software developers, and multidisciplinary research teams /liliTransversal experience across multiple flagship projects spanning environmental sensing, urban intelligence, and advanced technology platforms /liliGrowth path toward Senior Firmware Specialist or Lead Embedded Systems Engineer /liliHybrid work model with exposure to international project contexts /liliReimbursement of approved travel and project-related expenses /li /ul h3Compensation /h3 pAnnual Gross Salary: €45,000 - €50,000, in line with mid-level embedded systems profiles. /p pAdditional performance-based incentives may be provided based on project contribution and technical milestones achieved. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr