Embedded Firmware Engineer

Karman is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid — bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them.

We are seeking an Embedded Firmware Engineer to develop production-grade firmware for power grid edge computing platforms. You will work alongside a diverse team of experts across hardware, cloud infrastructure, and AI/algorithms to design, implement, and deploy embedded systems running on mission-critical power infrastructure. This role focuses on hands-on development across multiple hardware variants — writing firmware features, extending our CI/CD and test infrastructure, building logging and diagnostic tooling, and supporting hardware bring-up under the guidance of senior engineers. We are looking for an early-career engineer who is eager to learn from experienced mentors to develop production-grade firmware.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and deploy firmware features across multiple hardware platforms, contributing scalable and fault-tolerant components 
• Assist with hardware bring-up efforts and collaborate directly with hardware engineering teams during development cycles
• Write and debug real-time embedded software in C/C++ on resource-constrained microcontrollers, using the RTOS and bare-metal patterns established by the team
• Implement and debug communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, LTE, WiFi) for IoT device connectivity
• Uphold firmware engineering standards, including coding conventions, testing protocols, and documentation requirements
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) test infrastructure, and automated release tooling using Python, Docker, and GitHub Actions
• Extend logging, telemetry, and diagnostic subsystems, including dissectors and lab tooling
• Collaborate cross-functionally with external contractors, cloud infrastructure, AI/algorithms, and product teams to deliver integrated solutions

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 0–3 years of embedded firmware experience, including internships, coursework projects, capstone work, or a first full-time role
• Working proficiency in C (and ideally C++) with exposure to RTOS or bare-metal programming on a microcontroller
• Familiarity with common embedded interfaces — at least two of SPI, I2C, UART, or Ethernet
• Hands-on experience with hardware — bench work, board bring-up, personal projects, or hardware-adjacent internships
• Comfort with debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or JTAG debuggers
• Working knowledge of Git and exposure to a CI/CD system (GitHub Actions or similar)
• Python scripting comfort for test harnesses, build tooling, or automation
• Strong written and verbal communication, and a collaborative work style with cross-functional teams
• Curiosity, willingness to ask clarifying questions, and eagerness to learn from senior engineers

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have) 

• Experience or coursework involving FPGA development
• Any STM32 development experience or Cortex-M33-class parts (e.g., STM32H5)
• Docker experience for reproducible build environments
• Experience writing hardware-in-the-loop or bench-automation tests
• Exposure to embedded security fundamentals
• Wireshark, protocol analysis, or Lua dissector experience
• Static analysis or code-formatting tooling exposure (clang-format, clang-tidy, cppcheck, or similar)
• Rust or other modern systems-programming language exposure
• Personal or academic projects involving robotics, PCB design, or embedded work
• Interest in the physics, mathematics, and hardware components which underlie the U.S. electricity grid and evolving power systems
• Familiarity with linux systems (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, AMD/XILINX Kria)
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies

Salary Range: $120,000 to $160,000 base compensation depending on experience plus stock options.  Salary will be commensurate with an individual's skills, training, years of experience, and in line with internal compensation bands.

Location: This position can be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States, preference will be given to candidates based in Michigan with the ability to work on site in Utilidata’s headquarters.

Our Commitments:
Karman values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k