Principal Firmware Engineer

Position: Lead Firmware Developer – Surgical Robotic Systems
Company: Meril Life Science
Location: Chennai, TN, India
Department: Medical Robotics R&D – Embedded Systems Product Development
Reports To: GM (HOD)
Experience: 7-12 years
Job Type: Full-Time
Skills with Strong Experience: Firmware, C++, EtherCAT, Microcontrollers, Motors, Encoders
Notice Period: 30 Days
Working Days: Mon - Sat

Position Overview
Meril Life Science is looking for an innovative and detail-oriented Firmware Developer to join our cutting-edge team developing precision-controlled surgical robotic systems. This role involves working closely with hardware, control systems, and software teams to develop embedded firmware for safety-critical medical devices compliant with IEC 62304, IEC 60601, and ISO 14971 standards.

As a key member of the R&D team, you will develop firmware for motor control, sensor integration, safety subsystems, communication protocols, and real-time control loops in robotic applications.

Key Responsibilities
Firmware Development:
- Develop and maintain embedded firmware for microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M, STM32, etc.) used in robotic actuators, encoders, and sensors.
- Implement real-time control loops (PID, torque control, trajectory following) for robotic arms and haptic feedback mechanisms.
- Write low-level drivers (SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, PWM, CAN, EtherCAT).

System Integration & Debugging:
- Interface with FPGA, motor drivers, absolute and incremental encoders, and force sensors.
- Perform in-system debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD tools.
- Collaborate with hardware teams to bring up custom PCBs and validate communication and control blocks.

Safety & Compliance:
- Develop safety-related software features (watchdogs, diagnostics, error handling) per IEC 62304 Class B/C.
- Support risk management documentation and design traceability to comply with ISO 14971.
- Work with QA teams on firmware verification, validation, and unit testing.

Collaboration & Documentation:
- Participate in design reviews, code walkthroughs, and system-level integration testing.
- Contribute to firmware architecture documents, flowcharts, and interface specifications.
- Use version control (Git) and task tracking tools (JIRA, GitLab, etc.).

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in embedded firmware development (preferably for medical, robotics, or automotive domains).
- Proficient in C/C++, RTOS-based development, and peripheral driver development.
- Hands-on experience with motor control, encoder interfaces, and real-time sensor data acquisition.
- Familiarity with safety-critical development processes (IEC 62304, ISO 13485, IEC 60601-1).
Preferred Skills
- Experience with STM32, TI C2000, or NXP microcontroller families.
- Exposure to EtherCAT, CANopen, or RS485 communication protocols.
- Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, model-based design, or control tuning.
- Knowledge of unit testing, static code analysis, and code coverage tools.
- Experience with motor types like BLDC, stepper, brushed DC, and high-resolution encoders (BiSS-C, SSI).
Soft Skills & Traits
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Passion for innovation in surgical robotics and medical devices.
- Good communication and documentation skills.
- Team player with a proactive and self-driven attitude.

What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on life-saving medical robotic technologies.
- A collaborative and innovation-driven work environment.
- Career growth through cross-disciplinary learning and training in medical safety and compliance.
- The chance to make a real impact in the healthcare space.
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