Embedded Systems Software Engineer

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role:

Fermilab is seeking a highly motivated Embedded Systems Software Developer to support the design, development, and maintenance of embedded software for beam instrumentation and diagnostic systems. These systems require high-bandwidth, distributed data acquisition tightly integrated with the accelerator control system to monitor and optimize accelerator performance.

The ideal candidate will have experience with low-level programming, hardware-software integration, and real-time system performance. They will also be expected to consider system constraints such as hardware capacity, operating time, and performance requirements, and to prepare detailed specifications from which programs will be developed. Collaboration with technical staff to understand and resolve software issues is essential.

What your day-to-day as a Embedded Systems Software Developer at Fermilab will look like:

• Design and implement FPGA logic using VHDL/Verilog, IP cores, and Xilinx tools (Vivado, ISE).
• Develop and integrate embedded software for Xilinx SoCs (e.g., Zynq, Versal) using C/C++, SDK/Vitis, and RTOS or bare-metal environments.
• Design, code, test, debug, document, and maintain applications, systems, and libraries and Linux kernel modules
• Develop and implement specifications for small to large projects.
• Participate in design discussions and author design notes.
• Gather requirements from users, contribute to design efforts, and obtain feedback.
• Communicate effectively with management, peers, and stakeholders in written and oral form.
• Coordinate with personnel from other departments, including non-computing disciplines.
• Collaborate on hardware-software co-design to optimize performance and partition functionality between FPGA and processors.
• Debug, test, and verify FPGA and embedded systems using simulation tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and Xilinx debugging utilities.
• Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, and automated test scripts to ensure software reliability.
• Act as a primary contact for system and operational problems; investigate, localize, and resolve or direct others to resolve issues.
• Perform operational and maintenance activities for assigned projects.
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced team members.
• Lead phases of projects or act as team leader on less complex projects.
• Optimize FPGA resource utilization, timing closure, and power consumption.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including design specifications and test results.
• Implement version control (e.g., Git) and maintain code repositories.
• Utilize CI/CD pipelines for building, testing, and deploying embedded software and FPGA designs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abide by all environmental, health, and safety practices.

Skills and Attributes for Success:

• High school diploma with 5+ years of experience developing complex software projects. Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field with 3+ years of experience developing complex software projects preferred.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Detailed knowledge of software development practices using a modern high-level language (e.g., C++, JavaScript, Python).
• Strong understanding of relational database concepts.
• Excellent communication skills.

Work Arrangement:

Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab:
Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

What To Expect Next:
We'll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.