Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Job Summary

The Principal Embedded Software Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for defining software architecture, leading execution of complex embedded software projects, and driving technical decisions across multiple disciplines. This role combines deep hands-on technical expertise with project leadership responsibilities. The individual is expected to function as an individual contributor while also leading small software teams, coordinating technical execution, assigning work, monitoring progress, managing technical risks, and communicating project status to engineering and program leadership. The Principal Engineer is recognized as a subject matter expert and is responsible for ensuring successful technical execution of critical business and customer programs.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Define software architectures for complex embedded systems and mission-critical products.
• Lead technical strategy, design reviews, and architectural decisions.
• Serve as the technical authority for software development activities.
• Drive technical solutions involving processors, FPGAs, sensors, imaging systems, networking, and embedded platforms.
• Evaluate technologies, tools, frameworks, and development approaches.
• Lead root-cause investigations for complex system-level issues.

Project Leadership

• Lead small software development teams while remaining an active contributor.
• Translate program objectives into executable software development plans.
• Break down project work into tasks and assign responsibilities across team members.
• Track execution against schedules, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate technical and program risks.
• Coordinate software activities across systems, hardware, FPGA, verification, manufacturing, and program teams.
• Provide regular project status, risks, and recovery plans to engineering management and program leadership.
• Support staffing, workload balancing, and technical mentoring activities.

Individual Contributor Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, debug, and verify embedded software.
• Perform code reviews and maintain software quality standards.
• Support customer demonstrations, field activities, integration events, and technical reviews.
• Contribute directly to critical project deliverables when needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of embedded software development experience.
• Expert-level proficiency in C and C++.
• Strong Python development experience.
• Extensive experience with Bare-Metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux environments.
• Extensive experience with AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC and/or MicroBlaze platforms.
• Strong understanding of embedded software architecture, real-time systems, and hardware/software co-design.
• Experience developing complex device drivers and middleware components.
• Experience leading software development efforts through the full product lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small engineering teams while remaining a hands-on contributor.
• Experience developing project schedules, assigning technical work, and tracking execution.
• Experience presenting technical status, risks, and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
• Strong technical decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading embedded software efforts for defense, aerospace, medical, or safety-critical products.
• Experience with EO/IR imaging systems, video processing, sensor integration, and high-speed interfaces.
• Experience with Ethernet, TCP/IP, lwIP, networking protocols, and distributed embedded systems.
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