Firmware Engineer I

At Starkey, we are in the business of connecting people and changing lives. As a world leader in the manufacturing and delivery of advanced hearing solutions, we go to work each day to ensure every person on the planet has the opportunity to hear their very best. Founded in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Starkey has more than 5,000 employees globally, operates 29+ facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Here's a video about the people behind Starkey's groundbreaking innovation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjhRQ7qzlI0

JOB SUMMARY DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

The primary objective of the firmware engineering position is to apply their knowledge of embedded systems, digital signal processing, and wireless communications to create, test, and maintain firmware for hearing aid and accessory products. As a member of the firmware engineering department firmware engineers operate in the scope of New Product Development Projects and Advanced Development Projects. They engage regularly with other product development teams to deliver high quality and on-time hearing products to the market. A firmware engineer works under general supervision; developing and communicating solutions to routine technical problems of ample scope. They contribute to the completion of detailed technical tasks. Failure to achieve the desired results can be overcome but may cause delays in program schedules.

A Wireless Firmware Engineer works under very minimal supervision to provide creative, practical, and consistent technical solutions to a moderate range of challenging problems. They have a thorough understanding of technical standards, principles, theories, and techniques and are able to apply these to a broad set of applications. They assist in the completion of specific programs and projects. Failure to achieve results or erroneous decisions generally result in crucial program delays and wasted resources. The Wireless Firmware Engineer are expected to have developed numerous contacts within the R&D organization and represent the firmware engineering organization in developing solutions to complex technical issues. Firmware Engineers work on one of two primary roles - Firmware Development and Firmware Verification.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/RESULTS

Understand and participate in establishing requirements

• Have a solid understanding of system level requirements impacting firmware deliverables.

• Participate in the creation of firmware requirements based on system requirements

• Collaborate with others in the organization to define and improve system level requirements for the hearing aid firmware.

• Ensure that the firmware design is aligned with the requirements through continuous exploration of the firmware system through review of documentation on the wiki and discussions with senior members of the team.

Design and implement high quality firmware

• Create designs to meet the firmware requirements. At this level the engineer is expected to provide technical solutions to a moderate range of challenging problems. Solutions are reviewed by senior engineers for technical soundness.

• Document and review designs. Documentation shall provide value and enhance the understanding of the firmware.

• Use knowledge of programming languages (such as C or assembly) to implement firmware on resource constrained hardware.

• Diligently follow firmware development processes such as code reviews, creation of design documentation, coding conventions, etc.

• Create and continually update the status of assigned tasks using the established issue and project tracking software.

• Use established version control software to store the code.

• Root cause and resolve firmware issues in a timely manner. Communicating the root cause of firmware issues, possible solutions and the impact of the solution to firmware management and project team as needed.

Verify the functionality of the firmware

• Support the Firmware Verification Team in devising test plans and executing tests to ensure high quality firmware at the system level.

• Review and provide constructive feedback on the test plans of the Firmware Verification Team.

• Create and perform unit tests to verify the functionality of firmware they have developed before handing off to Verification team

• Work with Firmware Verification Engineers and others from the R&D organization to understand and root cause issues.

Effectively participate in project activities

• Understand and follow organizational processes such as the advanced development process and the product development process

• During assigned projects work with Firmware project sponsor/manager to create project plans and work estimates which are used to set project milestones

• Proactively take ownership of project assignments and follow project management process (Scrum) defined for the project

• Throughout projects, proactively communicate changes to level of effort estimates and the impact to the schedule

• Effectively communicate project activities during sprint reviews, stand-ups, and one on one meetings

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; or

• MSEE or related fields; or

• PhD in related fields

Experience

• Minimum 1.5 years with B.S. or related experience

KNOWLEDGE / TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Domain knowledge of one or more of the following:

• Digital Signal Processing

• Wireless and wired communication and related protocols.

• Embedded firmware development

• Firmware test methodologies and tools

• Knowledge of languages such as C or assembly required

• Knowledge of scripting languages such as MATLAB or Python required

• Knowledge of analog or digital circuitry.

• Knowledge of architecture of programming devices such as DSPs or Micro-controllers.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Great oral and written communication skills.

• Must be driven, methodical, and detail oriented.

• Ability to work effectively in a team and individually.

• Proficiency in problem solving.

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