Who We Are

Founded in 2020, Ascent is a venture-backed startup building the unifying dashboard for high-intensity, small unit tactics. Our platform informs incident command where their operators are, how they’re doing, & maps the space. This is done through localization of the operator at the scene, reporting biometric data, pre-planning the interior floor design and relaying all this in real time to incident command. During high risk operations, we ensure that incident command has the necessary information to make for more informed decisions & tasks can be accomplished as efficiently and safely as possible.

Ascent offers the opportunity to make a difference in the world by developing technology that helps keep our heroes safe with embedded technology that allows location and health transparency. At Ascent, you’ll work with engineers from all different backgrounds to collaborate on our tech. Turn your passion into practical solutions that wi ll improve the lives of first responders and warfighters. 

None of this would be possible without our customers. Since our founding, we have conducted over 1,700 customer discovery interviews with fire departments across the United States. We currently have over 20 members on our Fire Chief Advisory Board to help guide us in our mission. 

Role Overview

As a member of the team, you will be expected to take full ownership of your role as Senior Embedded Software Engineer. We are seeking an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and optimize software for our mission-critical products. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in embedded systems, a keen eye for detail, and a deep understanding of real-time operating systems and their constraints

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and debug real-time embedded software. 

• Work closely with the hardware engineering team to design software / hardware interfaces and applications.

• Implement protocols and algorithms optimized for resource-constrained environments.

• Ensure software robustness, resilience, and fail-safe operation under all conditions for “mission critical” devices.

• Prioritize, address, and mitigate potential safety and security vulnerabilities.

• Write detailed design and technical documentation to ensure robustness and maintainability.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define software requirements and specifications.

• Lead code and design reviews.

• Provide mentorship to junior engineers.

• Implement industry best practices for software engineering.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

• 5 years of experience in embedded software development.

• Must have experience with development, testing and deployment of Linux based BSP/Kernel, driver and device tree buildout and PCB bring-up.

• Experience leading an embedded software project team from concept to launch and customer support.

• Demonstrated leadership ability, team leading skills, and interpersonal communications.

• Solid understanding of processor/chipset/SoC hardware architectures, such as ARM Cortex-A, Cortex-M, Cortex-R, or similar.

• Knowledge of communication protocols/interfaces like MIPI-CSI, USB, I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, etc.

• Familiarity with safety-critical standards.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Nice to Have but not Mandatory Qualifications

• Experience with creating and deploying bootloaders for ARM Cortex-A, Cortex-M, Cortex-R, or similar based chipsets.

• Experience with software development methodologies and frameworks such as Agile, Spiral, Waterfall and / or Stage Gate. Preference for Agile methodologies.

• Experience with complex systems such that use: parallel processing, multi-threading, distributed processing, multi-core, system on module (SoM), and / or secure processing.

• Experience working within a startup company.

• Experience working in mission-critical industries such as: aerospace, automotive, defense, first responder, and medical devices.

About Us

Our team is currently 15 members strong. Our office is located in an old Chicago Fire Dispatch Center, in the heart of Fulton Market, and includes free street parking, access to a gym on site, and a coffee shop. This office is conveniently located near public transportation which includes access to the green, pink, and blue lines as well as various bus stops. You will also receive the following benefits:

• Full Medical, Vision, Dental coverage with additional premium options

• Unlimited PTO. We enforce a two week minimum each year.

• Continued Education Assistance

• 401k match up to 4%

• Company events, social outings, and a stocked office kitchen

Ascent Integrated Tech provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.