Sr. RF Firmware Engineer

Founded in 2023 Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 350 employees we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing innovation at speed and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Sr. RF Firmware Engineer will play a key role in developing advanced RF sensing capabilities for Machs autonomous defense platforms. Working on the DART team you will focus directly on next-generation counter-UAV radar systems and RF seekers. You will be responsible for designing implementing verifying and optimizing the embedded firmware that controls the RF front-end of Machs RF seeker across the full development lifecycle - bare-metal board bring-up to final deployment.

This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams that include antenna and RF hardware engineers to ensure the entire radar RF front-end system meets the mission-critical requirements. Success in this role requires strong technical execution adaptability and a hands-on approach in a fast-paced iterative environment.

• Mission: Build next generation counter-UAV defense systems that will be used to defend human lives critical infrastructure and high value assets for the United States and its allies.

• Firmware development: Write high-performance bare-metal C/C firmware for resource constrained microcontrollers powering the RF front-end boards in Machs radar products.

• Hardware co-design: Work with hardware engineers on component selection board bring-up and optimal hardware-software trade-offs (power cost form factor).

• Firmware bring-up: Bring-up low level C/C bare-meta code from scratch including peripherals/drivers (I2C SPI CAN GPIO) to configure RF/microwave ICs (such as DDS PPL LNA PA filters switches etc) and interface to other subsystems.

• RF performance verification: Devise lab tests using RF/microwave test equipment to verify the functionality of the firmware and performance of the RF front-end boards.

• RF calibration: Analyze amplitude phase and performance metrics to develop calibration techniques and implement calibration techniques in firmware to optimize the performance of the RF front-end boards.

• Automation/Scripting: Write scripts (Python) to automate factory RF/microwave calibration processes to speed up calibration and ensure a high calibration accuracy.

• Testing and reliability: Own firmware quality reliability and performance by proactively identifying documenting/tracking and fixing issues to maintain high reliability of Machs radar systems.

• Software validation: Develop functional and lab tests to validate the accuracy and performance of newly implemented embedded software or new features.

• Documentation: Author clear software specifications architectural designs and testing procedures to support manufacturing scalability.

• Project planning: Contribute to project planning including communicating risks/blockers and manage engineering trade-offs.

• Education: Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Computer Science or Software Engineer or a related field.

• Experience: 5 years of experience developing embedded firmware for RF/microwave front-ends for products such as radar/RF seekers or wireless radio (4G/5G/BLE/Wifi) products.

• Languages: Proficiency in bare-metal C/C with proven ability to write clean well-tested and highly efficient code in memory constrained environments.

• MCU bring-up: Demonstrated experience bringing up new microcontrollers and processors from scratch including MCU clock/PLL configuration low-level peripheral bring-up (I2C SPI CAN GPIO) on development kits and Machs custom hardware.

• RF/Microwave knowledge: Deep familiarity with RF/microwave transmitter and receiver architectures and components (DDS PLL LNA PA mixers filters and down-conversion stages) and calibration techniques.

• Test equipment: Hands-on experience using lab test equipment (oscilloscopes spectrum analyzers signal generators logic/protocol analyzers) to debug and measure the performance of RF front-end hardware.

• Automation/scripting: Proficiency in Python or other scripting language to automate the collection of RF/microwave measurements and calibration data.

• Protocols: Deep understanding of standard communication protocols (SPI I2C UART CAN and Ethernet) used to control RF/microwave ICs and interface with other subsystems.

• Schematics Reading: Ability to read electronics circuit schematics to isolate hardware/software issues.

• Optimization: Skilled in optimizing code to meet strict real-time timing and deterministic software constraints.

• Testing: Ability to debug test and validate embedded software using functional tests logic/protocol analyzers and lab tests to ensure the functionality of embedded software.

• Execution: Strong grasp of full software development life cycle and ability to execute and thrive in a fast-paced high-iteration environment delivering frequent software updates with speed and precision.

• Location: Ability to work 100% on-site at our headquarters in Huntington Beach CA.

• RF/Microwave Theory: Strong theoretical background in radar electromagnetic wave propagation wireless communication or RF sensing and RF calibration techniques.

• Compliance: Knowledge of military aerospace or safety-critical software standards (e.g. DO-178C MISRA C ASIL).

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience education and training critical skills and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Machs total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance retirement plans and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race color creed religion sex gender identity sexual orientation national origin disability uniform service Veteran status age or any other protected characteristic per federal state or local law including those with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If youd like to defend the American way of life please reach out!

Required Experience:

Senior IC