Embedded Software Architect

HBK - Hottinger Brüel & Kjær; Waalwijk; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Good work-life balance

Continuous professional and personal development

Job summary

HBK - Hottinger Brüel & Kjær in Waalwijk is seeking a knowledgeable Firmware Software Architect who will be pivotal in defining and safeguarding firmware architecture in complex DAQ systems. This role requires extensive experience in firmware architecture and embedded systems, with a focus on digital hardware bring-up.

The successful candidate will lead innovation and collaboration and ensure robust firmware solutions. We offer a balance between work and life in an international environment.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science required.
• Extensive experience in firmware architecture (>5 years).
• Strong understanding of hardware-near software.
• Expertise in embedded C development essential.

Responsibilities

• Define and safeguard firmware architecture for DAQ systems.
• Collaborate with System and Hardware Architects.
• Lead prototyping for driver architecture.
• Monitor firmware robustness in deployed systems.

Skills

Firmware architecture

Embedded systems

Digital hardware bring-up

C/C++ development

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

FPGA design knowledge

Job description

Job Profile: Firmware Software Architect

The Firmware Software Architect is a recognized technical authority responsible for defining, evolving, and safeguarding the architecture of firmware components within complex DAQ (Data Acquisition) systems. This role ensures that firmware solutions deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and scalability, while remaining fully aligned with the overarching system vision established by the System Architect. The Firmware Architect drives innovation and lays the groundwork for next‑generation DAQ platforms by modernizing existing solutions and seamlessly integrating cutting‑edge technologies.

The Firmware Software Architect will collaborate within a team of technical leaders, guided by the Head of Platform Architecture, to define and execute technical roadmaps. This team ensures a streamlined, high‑performance technology stack overall solutions by driving innovation and staying at the forefront of industry advancements.

Responsibilities

• Own the end‑to‑end firmware architecture for DAQ hardware platforms, with a strong focus on digital hardware bring‑up and first‑time‑right hardware enablement.
• Define architectural principles, patterns, and standards for low‑level firmware, including driver‑level C code, boot flows, hardware abstraction, and real‑time execution on R5 cores.
• Establish robust interfaces and integration concepts between digital hardware, FPGA‑based interfaces, low‑level firmware, real‑time communication stacks, and higher software layers.

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner closely with the System Architect and Hardware Architect to shape system concepts, define bring‑up strategies, and resolve hardware‑software integration trade‑offs early.
• Align firmware architecture with processor architecture, board design, FPGA designs, boot concepts, and real‑time bus requirements to ensure the hardware can be commissioned and operated as intended.
• Provide feasibility assessments, risk analysis, and technical guidance for digital hardware bring‑up, firmware integration, and platform readiness during early development phases.

Technology & Innovation Leadership

• Evaluate processors, SoCs, digital interfaces, and real‑time communication technologies for integration into DAQ platforms.
• Lead prototyping and proof‑of‑concept activities for hardware bring‑up, low‑level driver architecture, and integration of C‑based protocol stacks for real‑time busses.
• Drive architectural decisions for boot processes, startup sequencing, diagnosability, and firmware update mechanisms to ensure robust and serviceable platforms.

Implementation Guidance

• Act as a technical mentor and hands‑on advisor for firmware teams developing low‑level C code, board support packages, and hardware‑near software components.
• Ensure architectural consistency and implementation quality across driver development, R5‑core firmware, real‑time bus integration, and hardware bring‑up activities.
• Provide hands‑on support for critical debugging, startup issues, boot problems, and firmware‑hardware integration challenges to enable successful platform commissioning.

Lifecycle & Sustainability Management

• Monitor firmware robustness, startup behavior, and hardware interaction in deployed systems.
• Define and evolve concepts for firmware maintainability, safe firmware updates, and long‑term support across hardware generations.
• Anticipate component and technology changes and establish migration strategies for firmware, boot loaders, and hardware‑dependent software layers.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate architectural decisions and rationale to internal stakeholders and external customers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in firmware architecture, embedded systems, and digital hardware bring‑up for complex hardware platforms (>5 years).
• Strong understanding of hardware‑near software architecture, modular low‑level design, and real‑time system constraints.
• Deep expertise in embedded C development at driver and board‑support‑package level; solid C++ knowledge is a plus where relevant.
• Experience bringing up firmware on new digital hardware platforms.
• Experience interfacing with FPGA‑based designs; knowledge of FPGA design is a strong plus.

We Offer

Freedom with responsibility is the framework for HBK’s employees. This allows for a good balance between work and family life and for constant development of professional and personal skills in an international and enjoyable working environment.