Firmware and Diagnostics Engineer

Job Title

Firmware and Diagnostics Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and support firmware and diagnostic software for Palladium emulation and related hardware platforms, focusing on system bring-up, validation, manufacturing diagnostics, and field issue triage.

Work on a cross-functional engineering team collaborating with firmware, hardware, validation, product, and field support groups. Location: Av Contorno 5800, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Experience Level

Entry-level. Typically requires 1–3 years of relevant experience in embedded firmware, diagnostics, hardware validation, board bring-up, or system-level debug.

Responsibilities

The role involves hands-on firmware development, system validation, and diagnostic support across development, manufacturing, and field stages.

• Design, implement, validate, and maintain embedded firmware and diagnostic software for complex hardware systems.
• Support hardware bring-up, system validation, manufacturing tests, and field diagnostics.
• Debug hardware and firmware issues using structured evidence and low-level debug methods.
• Create and follow diagnostic procedures and test plans; interpret schematics and hardware specifications.
• Collaborate with firmware, hardware, product engineering, validation, and field support teams to resolve issues.
• Document technical findings and contribute to release qualification and validation activities.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, tools, and experience; followed by concise nice-to-have items.

• 1–3 years practical experience in embedded firmware, diagnostics, hardware validation, board bring-up, or system debug.
• Proficiency in C/C++; working knowledge of one or more scripting languages (Python, Tcl, Bash, Perl).
• Understanding of embedded systems concepts: firmware interfaces, hardware registers, boot flows, device drivers, and low-level debug techniques.
• Experience using debug tools: serial consoles, JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, lab power equipment, and hardware telemetry logs.
• Ability to read and interpret hardware specifications, schematics, interface documents, diagnostic procedures, and test plans.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills; ability to organize evidence and hypotheses during complex debug.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and Portuguese for cross-team collaboration and documentation.
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows, automated regression testing, build systems, and release qualification is beneficial.
• Nice-to-have: experience with FPGA prototyping, hardware emulation platforms, high-speed interconnects, board management firmware, or hardware diagnostic frameworks.
• Nice-to-have: knowledge of common hardware failure modes (connectivity, cable integrity, timing/frequency sensitivity, thermal issues, component failures) and diagnostics for Ethernet/IP, telemetry, memory and peripheral tests.
• Nice-to-have: experience working with geographically distributed engineering, validation, product engineering, field service, or customer-facing teams.

Education Requirements

Complete Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.

About the Company

Company: Cadence Design Systems

Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA

Cadence Design Systems is a global electronic design automation company that provides software, hardware, and intellectual property for designing advanced semiconductor chips. With over 25 years in the industry, Cadence is known for its innovative technology solutions and has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. The company is dedicated to solving complex technical challenges in order to enable customers to create revolutionary products and experiences.