Embedded Software Engineer

Brightwater Recruitment; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 67,000 - 73,000; Part time

Job summary

Brightwater Recruitment in Cork is seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer for a 12-month daily-rate contract. The role focuses on Linux-based embedded systems, audio technologies, and open-source development, with hybrid working arrangements.

You will develop, optimise, and debug software for next-generation embedded platforms, collaborating with global teams, contributing to upstream projects, and supporting voice activation, audio context awareness, and DSP workflows.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in embedded software development and debugging.
• Strong experience with ARM-based processors, microcontrollers, or similar embedded SoCs.
• Experience developing software for Linux-based embedded environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and debug software for embedded Linux, Zephyr RTOS, and DSP-based platforms.
• Improve power and performance in embedded environments and optimise ARM Linux architectures.
• Develop device drivers and contribute to open-source upstreaming; support audio use cases and interfaces (I2S, TDM, SoundWire).

Skills

C

C++

Python

Job description

12 Month Daily Rate Contract / Hybrid / Cork

About the Company

Our client is a leading international company with offices in Cork.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer with strong expertise in Linux-based embedded systems, audio technologies, and open-source development. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing, optimising, and debugging software for next-generation embedded platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Core Technical Skills

• 5–8 years of experience in embedded software development and debugging.
• Strong experience working with ARM-based processors, microcontrollers, or similar embedded SoCs.
• Experience developing software for Linux-based embedded environments.
• Proficiency in:
• C
• C++
• Python

Embedded Systems Development

• Experience developing and debugging software across embedded Linux, Zephyr RTOS, and DSP-based platforms.
• Strong understanding of system power and performance optimisation within embedded environments.
• Knowledge of ARM Linux architectures and DSP platform considerations.
• Experience with:
• Zephyr architecture
• Device driver development and debugging
• Open-source contribution and upstreaming processes
• Experience working with multimedia frameworks, particularly audio-focused technologies such as:
• PipeWire
• ALSA
• General understanding of audio signal processing concepts.
• Experience supporting audio use cases including:
• Voice activation
• Voice communications
• Audio context awareness and detection
• Familiarity with industry-standard audio interfaces:
• I2S
• TDM
• SoundWire
• Experience developing drivers for audio hardware components including:

Open Source & Community Engagement

• Active contributor, maintainer, or participant within established open-source projects.
• Experience with technologies such as Linux, Zephyr, PipeWire, ALSA, or similar open-source ecosystems.
• Understanding of open-source development methodologies, community engagement, and contribution workflows.
• Experience balancing open-source development practices with commercial product delivery requirements.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate combines deep embedded software expertise with a passion for audio technologies and open-source development. They will be comfortable working across low-level systems, collaborating with global engineering teams, and contributing to both product development and wider open-source communities.

Remuneration Package

This role offers a rate of 361 per day to an experienced candidate, is hybrid, and offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.