Jennifer H.
PCB & Embedded Firmware Engineer
Ashburn,
United States
Global rank:
261,845
/
144,355
Skill pts: 0
About
I design embedded electronics from the circuit level through production firmware, with a particular focus on PCB development and the low level software that brings the hardware to life. With 15+ years of engineering experience, I have worked on connected sensors, industrial monitoring equipment, battery-powered devices, and embedded communication products where reliable hardware, disciplined firmware, and practical manufacturability all matter.
My approach is hands-on: I can develop schematics, select components, create multi-layer PCB layouts, review signal and power integrity, bring up prototypes, and then move directly into firmware architecture and debugging. My firmware work includes ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP32, NXP, AVR, PIC, TI MSP430, and Renesas platforms using C, C++, Embedded C, Python, and assembly where appropriate. I have worked with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Embedded Linux, and bare-metal systems.
For PCB development, I regularly use Altium Designer, KiCad, OrCAD, Eagle, Autodesk Fusion Electronics, LTspice, and EasyEDA. My development workflow includes Git, JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, GCC, Keil, IAR, STM32CubeIDE, VS Code, and PlatformIO. I am comfortable with UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB, Ethernet, BLE, Wi-Fi, and Modbus, as well as analog/digital circuitry, power management, sensor interfaces, battery systems, EMI/EMC considerations, DFM, validation, and production troubleshooting.
Clients typically involve me when a project needs someone who understands both sides of the hardware/firmware boundary. I provide clear engineering documentation, practical design reviews, structured testing, and consistent communication throughout development. If you have a PCB, embedded firmware, prototype, or complete electronics product that needs experienced engineering support, send me the project details and let's discuss the best way to build it.
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My approach is hands-on: I can develop schematics, select components, create multi-layer PCB layouts, review signal and power integrity, bring up prototypes, and then move directly into firmware architecture and debugging. My firmware work includes ARM Cortex-M, STM32, ESP32, NXP, AVR, PIC, TI MSP430, and Renesas platforms using C, C++, Embedded C, Python, and assembly where appropriate. I have worked with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Embedded Linux, and bare-metal systems.
For PCB development, I regularly use Altium Designer, KiCad, OrCAD, Eagle, Autodesk Fusion Electronics, LTspice, and EasyEDA. My development workflow includes Git, JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, GCC, Keil, IAR, STM32CubeIDE, VS Code, and PlatformIO. I am comfortable with UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB, Ethernet, BLE, Wi-Fi, and Modbus, as well as analog/digital circuitry, power management, sensor interfaces, battery systems, EMI/EMC considerations, DFM, validation, and production troubleshooting.
Clients typically involve me when a project needs someone who understands both sides of the hardware/firmware boundary. I provide clear engineering documentation, practical design reviews, structured testing, and consistent communication throughout development. If you have a PCB, embedded firmware, prototype, or complete electronics product that needs experienced engineering support, send me the project details and let's discuss the best way to build it.
Experience
- Senior PCB & Embedded Firmware Engineer Midwest Embedded Systems, Inc. · Full-time Aug 2018 – Oct 2025 7 yrs 2 mos Schaumburg, Illinois, USA Designed multi-layer PCBs and embedded firmware for industrial sensor and monitoring products. Developed STM32/NXP firmware in C/C++, performed hardware bring-up and JTAG/SWD debugging, and supported prototype validation. Worked with manufacturing teams on DFM, production releases, test procedures, and PCB revisions, reducing prototype rework and improving release consistency.
- Embedded Hardware & Firmware Engineer Great Lakes Connected Devices · Full-time Jul 2010 – Mar 2018 7 yrs 8 mos Naperville, Illinois, USA Developed electronics and firmware for battery-powered sensors and connected embedded products. Created schematics, supported PCB layout, and programmed ARM Cortex-M, MSP430, and AVR platforms using Embedded C and C++. Integrated SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, BLE, and Wi-Fi interfaces while debugging prototypes with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
Education
- Illinois Institute Of Technology Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Electrical and Computer Engineering, 3.7/4.0 2008 – 2010 Activities and Societies: Embedded Systems Research Group, IEEE Student Chapter Focused graduate studies on embedded systems, digital hardware, real-time firmware, computer architecture, communications, and hardware/software integration. Projects emphasized microcontroller systems, real-time control, embedded communications, and practical electronic product development.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Electrical Engineering, 3.6/4.0 2003 – 2007 Activities and Societies: IEEE Student Branch, Embedded Systems Club, Electronics Design Projects Studied digital and analog electronics, microcontrollers, embedded programming, computer architecture, control systems, communications, circuit analysis, and electronic design. Completed practical laboratory and senior design projects involving microcontroller-based hardware, PCB development, instrumentation, and firmware.
Stats
0 followers, 0 following
Age: 41
Joined: August 26, 2026
Last seen: August 26, 2026
Area of Expertise
Languages
English Native or bilingual proficiency
Location
Ashburn, VA, United States