Embedded Software Engineer

Medela; McHenry (IL); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with match

Money Purchase Retirement Plan

Generous PTO package

14 paid holidays

Great place to work

Job summary

Medela is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design and develop firmware for microcontroller-based medical devices in a regulated environment. You will collaborate with hardware, systems, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams while ensuring compliance with lifecycle and documentation standards.

The role emphasizes embedded C/C++ development, device drivers, HALs, and debug activities. It is a hybrid position in McHenry, IL, with a starting salary around $105,000 and bonus potential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of embedded firmware development experience.
• Strong programming in Embedded C/C++ for microcontrollers.
• Experience with embedded development tools, debuggers, and version control (Git, Azure DevOps, Jira).
• Experience with protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, BLE, Wi-Fi, or MQTT.
• Experience debugging embedded systems using lab tools (JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Experience with RTOS or bare-metal embedded systems.
• Knowledge of software lifecycle, testing, verification, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded firmware for microcontroller-based medical devices.
• Create device drivers, HALs, bootloaders, diagnostics, and production test software.
• Support board bring-up, hardware/software integration, and debugging.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Firmware development

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

Git

Azure DevOps

Jira

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer – Medical Devices

Location: McHenry, IL (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)

Salary starting at $105,000 with bonus potential

Build software that helps improve the lives of mothers and babies.

At Medela, our mission is to turn science into care by developing innovative medical technology that supports families around the world. We're looking for an Embedded Software Engineer with experience developing firmware for embedded hardware in a regulated product development environment.

This is NOT an application, web, or enterprise software development position.

We are specifically seeking engineers with embedded firmware development experience and medical device (preferred) or other highly regulated industry experience.

What You'll Do

As an Embedded Software Engineer, you'll design and develop firmware for microcontroller-based medical devices while working closely with electrical, systems, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory engineering teams.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded firmware in Embedded C/C++
• Develop firmware for microcontroller-based connected medical devices
• Create and maintain device drivers, hardware abstraction layers (HAL), bootloaders, diagnostics, and production test software
• Support board bring-up, hardware/software integration, debugging, and troubleshooting
• Work with RTOS and/or bare-metal embedded systems
• Develop communication interfaces using protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, BLE, Wi-Fi, MQTT, or similar
• Participate in software architecture, requirements development, verification, risk controls, and traceability
• Execute unit, integration, regression, and system testing
• Support manufacturing, design transfer, production ramp-up, and post-market product maintenance
• Ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements throughout the software development lifecycle

Required Qualifications

To be considered, candidates should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of embedded firmware development experience
• Strong programming experience in Embedded C/C++
• Experience developing firmware for embedded microcontrollers
• Experience using embedded development tools, debuggers, and version control systems (Git, Azure DevOps, Jira, etc.)
• Experience with communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, BLE, Wi-Fi, or MQTT
• Experience debugging embedded systems using JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar lab equipment
• Experience working with RTOS or bare-metal embedded systems
• Strong understanding of software lifecycle processes, testing, verification, and documentation

What Makes Someone Successful

You are:

• A hands-on embedded engineer who enjoys working close to the hardware
• Comfortable collaborating with electrical, systems, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory engineers
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation skills
• Passionate about building reliable, safety-focused products
• Able to balance innovation with quality and regulatory compliance

Strongly Preferred

Medical device experience OR experience developing products in another regulated industry (aerospace, industrial controls, automotive safety systems, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

We're especially interested in candidates who have experience with:

• Other highly regulated industries such as aerospace, automotive safety systems, industrial controls, or life sciences
• IEC 62304 , ISO 13485, ISO 14971
• Software traceability and Design History Files (DHF)
• Secure firmware development and cybersecurity for connected devices

Why Join Medela?

You'll work on products that directly improve patient care while collaborating with a multidisciplinary engineering team dedicated to innovation, quality, and regulatory excellence. This is an opportunity to develop technology that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of families around the world.

• Competitive Salary Starting Salary of $105,000 plus bonus
• 401K with match
• Money Purchase Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO package
• 14 paid holidays
• A great place to work!

At Medela, you will be joining a global community of colleagues, united by the purpose that drives our business: helping people. Medela exists to advance human health and well-being through knowledge-based and innovative human milk and medical vacuum solutions.

Our employees are empowered to serve this purpose in a family-owned company that is growing rapidly around the world. We value intensive exchanges, diverse perspectives, and unbureaucratic decisions. You will have the opportunity to develop at an international level, and witness the direct impact your work has on our company’s success.

As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, protected veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDs status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity (transgender status), weight, height or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.