Firmware Designer - Hardware Team (IoT + DoD Systems)

Overview: The Opportunity We are looking for a Firmware Developer to join our hardware team and contribute to the development of IoT devices and sensors for the Department of Defense (DoD). In this role, you’ll design and implement firmware for embedded systems across active asset tags, sensors, and edge devices critical for mission-readiness. You’ll work closely with hardware engineers, cloud software teams, and external partners to ensure seamless device functionality and integration, delivering results that support national defense objectives. This is a primarily remote role with occasional travel to LMI HQ in Tysons, VA & other CONUS locations. LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed. Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors—helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value. Responsibilities:

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, test, and optimize firmware for embedded systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to develop firmware solutions tailored to wireless embedded designs.
• Implement firmware control for peripherals such as RF modules, sensors, and communication interfaces like Bluetooth, LoRa, satellites, or LTE.
• Conduct debugging, testing, and refinement of firmware in rugged and mission-critical environments.
• Contribute to field testing and provide firmware updates to ensure hardware performance meets defense-grade standards.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between hardware, software, and DevSecOps solutions.
• Maintain firmware revision control and manage versioning across projects.
• Ensure firmware complies with security protocols and certifications such as MIL-STD, FIPS, or FCC.

Qualifications: What We’re Looking For Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in firmware design for embedded systems, preferably in IoT, RF devices, or mission-critical environments.
• Strong understanding of processor level development and the ability to understand and develop using proprietary real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Embedded Linux development including device drivers and TCP/IP networking.
• Strong understanding of developing firmware for very low-power battery-based applications.
• Hands-on experience with communication protocols like Bluetooth, LoRa, LTE, or similar.
• Proven expertise debugging, testing, and validating firmware in hardware environments.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems development.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Familiarity with microcontrollers and architectures, such as ARM Cortex-Mor STM.
• Experience with IDEs and debugging tools such as Keil, IAR, or Segger.
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces like SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Understanding of DFM and DFT principles related to firmware-hardware integration.
• Experience in developing firmware with a unit test approach.

Mindset & Qualifications:

• Builder's mindset with a solutions-oriented approach to solving technical challenges.
• U.S. Citizenship with eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; advanced degree a plus.

Bonus Points For

• Hands-on experience developing firmware that complies with FIPS 140-2 and/or FIPS 140-3.
• Experience prototyping firmware for ruggedized IoT devices used in defense, logistics, or industrial settings.
• Familiarity with tools for secure firmware delivery and updates.
• Knowledge of wireless and cellular IoT firmware systems, including power optimization techniques.
• Ability to work in early-stage product development environments or spin-out business units.

Why This Role Matters Firmware is the heartbeat of mission-ready IoT devices. As part of a fast-moving hardware team, you’ll design solutions that perform under pressure, contribute to national security, and push innovation into the field. Your work will lay the foundation for a greenfield hardware business with meaningful government impact. Target salary range: $92,075 - $158,138 Disclaimer: The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation. Individual salaries are determined by various factors including, but not limited to location, internal equity, business considerations, client contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and security clearances. #LI-SH1 Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for a U.S. Government security clearance. Only US Citizens are eligible for a security clearance. For this position, LMI will only consider applicants with security clearances or applicants who are eligible for security clearances, due to the nature of the work. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job