Senior Firmware Engineer

ABOUT ADVANCED ENERGY

Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of highly engineered, precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions for mission-critical applications and processes. AE’s power solutions enable customer innovation in complex applications for a wide range of industries including semiconductor equipment, industrial, manufacturing, telecommunications, data center computing and healthcare. With engineering know-how and responsive service and support around the globe, the company builds collaborative partnerships to meet technology advances, propel growth for its customers and innovate the future of power. Advanced Energy has devoted four decades to perfecting power for its global customers and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to join our R&D team in Little Island, Cork, where you will lead the design, development, and optimization of embedded software and systems for cutting-edge medical products.
This role demands deep technical expertise in low-level programming, microcontroller and FPGA architectures, test-driven development, and hardware-software integration, along with strong skills in technical documentation and reporting.
As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to research and prototyping of innovative, new-to-world solutions that drive differentiation across AE’s product portfolio.
You will act as a technical leader and subject matter expert, influencing cross-functional teams and driving tasks to completion. You will also engage directly with customers and senior stakeholders to ensure product designs effectively address real-world needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and analyze firmware architecture, systems, and subsystems to meet specifications, cost, schedule, and quality goals.
• Develop embedded firmware in compliance with IEC 62304 standards for medical devices.
• Diagnose and resolve issues related to design, field performance, reliability, and test yields.
• Own the success of products in customer applications by identifying and implementing corrective actions.
• Follow established engineering procedures, including the Product Development Process and ECO process.
• Research and evaluate new technologies to enhance product performance, safety, and quality.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and interns, fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Drive process efficiency and automation within the firmware development team.
• Implement best practices and design reviews within a cross-functional engineering environment.
• Collaborate with the Advanced Development team to assess technology readiness for new product launches.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including NPI, purchasing, quality, program/project management, finance, safety, and production.
• Build and maintain strong peer-to-peer relationships across the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is based at our Little Island facility in Cork, Ireland, within a collaborative and innovation-driven office and laboratory environment. The role involves regular use of electronic test equipment and may include work with high-voltage systems, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.
Occasional domestic and international travel may be required to support product development, customer engagement, or collaboration with global teams.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Proven track record of bringing embedded products to market and providing technical leadership.
• Strong proficiency in C programming for embedded systems.
• Experience with test-driven development and thorough technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems independently.
• Sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques to achieve engineering solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Experience leading and mentoring junior engineers or interns.
• Skilled in influencing and negotiating in cross-functional or complex technical settings.
• Creative problem-solver with a focus on quality, safety, cost, and delivery.
• Hands-on engineer with a solid theoretical foundation.
• Familiarity with industry practices, engineering standards, and internal procedures.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Experience with HDL (Verilog) for FPGA development.
• Proficiency in object-oriented programming (e.g., C++, C#).
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Perl.
• Familiarity with firmware development to industry standards (e.g., IEC 62304).
• Background in medical device product development.
• Knowledge of advanced algorithms and control system integration.
• Interest or background in biology or human anatomy (preferred for medical applications).

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years’ engineering experience in embedded systems, power electronics, or related industries; or 3 years’ experience with a relevant PhD or research-focused Master’s degree.
• Proven experience in product development, with a track record of technical leadership and successful product launches.
• Background in medical device development or power electronics is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated career progression, including increasing technical responsibilities and contributions to intellectual property (e.g., patents, publications, or proprietary designs).

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree (Level 8 or higher) in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline with relevant experience.
• A postgraduate qualification (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field is an advantage.