Firmware Engineer (Contractor Position)

About MistyWest

MistyWest is a hardware engineering consultancy that exists to create novel technologies that enable a healthier planet and bring prosperity to all humankind, with a focus primarily on hardware projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are hiring a Firmware Engineer (Contractor) to support an embedded product build. You will help develop core firmware features, including device sensing, power management, connectivity, and reliable system reporting.

• Key Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain firmware for connected embedded devices, coordinating across multiple boards or modules as needed
• Implement reliable sensor handling and event-driven state logic 
• Support wireless connectivity features, including provisioning/setup workflows and basic network health reporting
• Ensure secure communications and define retry, buffering, and recovery behaviors when connectivity is unavailable
• Deliver periodic device state reporting and time-sensitive event notifications aligned to service targets
• Optimize low-power operation through effective sleep/wake strategies and battery-aware behaviors
• Partner with hardware, mechanical, and software/cloud teams to support integration, troubleshooting, and validation
• Create and execute test plans for key functional and integration scenarios
• Produce clear documentation, including firmware design notes, configuration details, and test evidence for acceptance readiness
• Must-Have Qualifications
• 5+ years of embedded firmware experience 
• Strong C/C++ experience for microcontrollers and/or embedded systems
• Experience with low-power, battery-operated products and power budgeting
• Hands-on experience with: GPIO, ADC, interrupts, timers, debouncing
• Experience implementing secure connectivity: Wi-Fi provisioning patterns (AP mode, captive portal, BLE assist, or similar)
• Strong software practices: Git, code reviews, clean architecture, testable firmware patterns
• Nice-to-Have
• RTOS experience (FreeRTOS or similar)
• Experience with Wi-Fi positioning or location inference workflows
• Familiarity with regulatory-minded development (FCC/UL), and privacy/security standards
• Experience bringing products through integration testing and production readiness
• Python scripting for test automation or tooling

• Highly flexible: negotiate your own rates, hours and work location.
• Hardware & Software Access: MistyWest can provide equipment and software support where needed
• Try us out! Find out if MistyWest would be a good permanent employer for your needs and career direction
• Amazing Community: plug into a great local and global community of engineers and product design enthusiasts for events, projects, potential work & personal development.

If you would like to be considered for contract work, please apply with your resume and provide a link to previous work (where applicable). Be sure to include your availability for the next 2-4 weeks so we know if you're keen to take on new work!

Disclaimer

Please note that if selected, you will be working as an ‘Independent Contractor’ and not as an employee at MistyWest. We have previously hired from our contractor pool, so this is a great way to get your proverbial "foot in the door" when it comes to securing a permanent gig as a Westie!

Requirements will vary depending on the specific project you are being hired for. Some projects require your physical presence in our Vancouver office and lab a few days a week/month - some are 100% remote enabled.