Staff Engineer Embedded Firmware

Role Overview

You will design, implement, and maintain firmware for next-generation Intelligent PDUs (Power Distribution Units) used in Audio/Video racks, enterprise IT racks, and edge environments. This role requires expertise in embedded systems along with strong understanding of AC power systems, energy metering, outlet control, and remote management protocols.

Responsibilities

Firmware Development

• Develop embedded C/C++ firmware for PDU controllers (ARM Cortex-M/A, ESP32, NXP, Microchip, etc.)

• Implement outlet switching logic (relay/SSR control, sequencing, inrush handling)

• Integrate energy metering ICs (ADE series, ATM90E series, MCP39F5, etc.)

• Implement active/apparent/reactive power measurement & calibration algorithms

• Design persistent configuration storage (network settings, outlet names, thresholds)

Networking & Protocols

• Implement SNMP (v1/v2c/v3), Modbus TCP, BACnet/IP, MQTT, HTTPS/REST APIs

• Support security features (TLS, certificate loading, authentication, RBAC)

• Ensure high reliability for long-running network services

System Safety & Power Event Handling

• Implement overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage

• Support surge protection health monitoring and event logging

• Coordinate with hardware for UL/IEC safety behavior under test conditions

Sensor Integration

• Support temperature/humidity, door/contact, leak, airflow sensors through RS232

• Implement bus interfaces (I²C, 1-Wire, RS-485, RJ45 sensor buses)

• Auto-detect and enumerate sensors dynamically (plug-and-play)

Diagnostics & Management

• Implement event logs, power history, outlet cycle counts

• Support remote firmware upgrade with dual-image fallback

• Watchdog design (task-level and hardware-level)

Collaboration

• Work with hardware engineers on metrology circuits, relays, surge protection, thermal design

• Support validation, compliance (UL1449, IEC61000), and DVT testing

Required Skills

• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++

• 10+ years of relevant experience

• Hands-on experience with AC mains concepts, energy metering, and RMS calculations

• Experience with SNMP, Modbus TCP, or industrial protocols

• Understanding of relay/SSR behavior, inrush current, and electrical safety

• Experience with I²C, SPI, UART, RS-485, Ethernet stacks

• Familiarity with FreeRTOS or similar RTOS

• Knowledge of secure firmware design

Preferred Skills

• Experience with DCIM/BMS integrations

• Experience with BACnet/IP

• Experience with EMI/ESD/Surge resilience design practices

• Experience with cloud telemetry (MQTT, REST cloud APIs)

Company Statement/Values:  

At NETGEAR, we are on a mission to unleash the full potential of connectivity with intelligent solutions that delight and protect. We turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live.  

We're a performance-driven, talented and connected team that's committed to delivering world-class products for our customers. As a company, we value our employees as the most essential building blocks of our success. And as teammates, we commit to taking our work to the Next Gear by living our values: we Dare to Transform the future, Connect and Delight our customers, Communicate Courageously with each other and collaborate to Win It Together. You’ll find our values woven through our processes, present in our decisions, and celebrated throughout our culture. 

We strive to attract top talent and create a great workplace where people feel engaged, inspired, challenged, proud and respected. If you are creative, forward-thinking, passionate about technology and are looking for a rewarding career to make an impact, then you've got what it takes to succeed at NETGEAR. Join our network and help us shape the future of connectivity. 

NETGEAR hires based on merit. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.