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RF Firmware Engineer

Huntington Beach, California, United States

About Mach Industries

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 Role

The RF Firmware Engineer will play a key role in developing advanced RF sensing capabilities for Mach’s 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 Mach’s 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.

Key Responsibilities

  • 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 Mach’s 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 Mach’s 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.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s 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 Mach’s 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.

Preferred Qualifications

  • 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).

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

Engineer

$120,000 - $160,000 USD

Senior Engineer

$165,000 - $230,000 USD

At Mach, we believe that compensation is more than just a paycheck. It's a comprehensive package designed to reward the time, skills, and expertise you bring to our team. We are committed to offering competitive compensation that is equitable, transparent, and aligned with market trends.

Key Elements of Our Compensation Philosophy:

  • Competitive Salaries: We continuously research market rates to ensure our salaries are competitive with those in our industry and geographic location.
  • Performance-Based Incentives: Our bonus structure is tied to both individual and company performance, creating a win-win scenario that motivates our team members to excel.
  • Equity Participation: We offer stock options or equity to employees, ensuring that you share in the success and growth of the company.
  • Benefit Packages: Our benefits include healthcare, dental and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off, because we understand that your well-being extends beyond the office.
  • Professional Development: We allocate funds for continuing education, training, and career growth.
  • Transparency: We are committed to openness about our compensation tiers and how decisions are made, ensuring trust and mutual respect.

By joining Mach, you’re not just accepting a job—you’re becoming a key part of a team that values your contributions and invests in your growth. Together, we aim to create a rewarding environment that sets the stage for long-term success.

Data Privacy
To view Mach Industries candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://machindustries.com/privacy-policy.

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 Mach’s 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 you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!

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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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