equipment development lead - Sustainment Engineering Solutions

Starbucks Corp.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan with employer  

Tuition coverage for degree programs

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle is seeking an Equipment Development Lead to guide design, development, testing, and sustainment of embedded software and electrical systems in fully commercial beverage equipment.

You will collaborate with equipment suppliers, drive hardware/software integration, and oversee product development from concept to launch and ongoing support, ensuring reliability, performance and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience developing or integrating embedded software for commercial, industrial, or consumer products.
• Experience integrating software with electrical and electronic hardware systems.
• Experience supporting products through development, validation, launch, and sustainment.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Proficiency with Git, branching, code review, and disciplined commit practice.
• Demonstrated experience with writing and maintaining software and hardware specifications and managing changes through a formal process.
• Familiarity with firmware debugging and software validation methodologies.
• Knowledge of PCB design principles, digital and analog electronics.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Working SQL proficiency, and comfort analyzing large operational or telemetry datasets.
• Experience using AI tools for data analytics, software and hardware review and debugging.
• Demonstrated experience working independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams and global suppliers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance innovation, quality, reliability, and schedule commitments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to develop, integrate, and validate embedded software for controllers and user interfaces.
• Implement and debug device communication protocols and cloud connectivity for telemetry and diagnostics.
• Support over-the-air software updates and configuration delivery including rollout and rollback.
• Develop software requirements, architecture documents, and test plans.
• Use Git-based version control and code review for all software assets.
• Review supplier electrical architectures, PCB designs, and hardware validation plans.
• Validate interface software with sensors, actuators, motors, displays, and HMIs.
• Debug software and hardware interactions with test equipment.
• Participate in all phases of product development from concept to sustainment.
• Lead root cause analysis of software, electrical, and system-level issues.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++

Git

SQL

IoT

RTOS

Linux

Android

Cloud connectivity

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Git

PCB design

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

AOSP/Android

Azure IoT Hub

Job description

Now Brewing – Equipment Development Lead! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

The equipment development lead engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, validation, and sustainment of embedded software and electrical systems used in commercial foodservice and beverage equipment. This role combines strong firmware/software development skills with practical electrical hardware expertise to deliver reliable, connected products that enhance equipment performance, serviceability, and user experience.

The engineer will collaborate with the equipment suppliers who own the software and hardware to develop innovative solutions, troubleshoot complex issues, and support products throughout their lifecycle.

As a equipment development engineer, you will…

Embedded Software Development

• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to develop, integrate, and validate embedded software for microcontroller-, Linux-, and Android-based equipment controllers and user interfaces.
• Implement and debug device communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLE) and cloud connectivity for telemetry, remote diagnostics, and reporting.
• Support over-the-air software updates and configuration delivery: package generation, staged rollout, verification, and rollback.
• Develop software requirements (specs), architecture documents, and test plans
• Use Git-based version control and code review for all software and configuration assets.

Electrical Hardware Integration

• Review supplier’s electrical architecture, PCB designs, component selection, and hardware validation plans, including reliability and compliance with applicable codes.
• Validate interface software with sensors, actuators, motors, pumps, valves, displays, HMI systems, and communication modules.
• Debug software and hardware interactions using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and electronic test equipment.
• Support design verification and validation testing of electrical systems and compliance with Starbucks specifications

Product Development & Sustainment

• Understand and communicate schedules for hardware development and 3rd party qualifications
• Participate in all phases of product development from concept through commercialization and sustainment.
• Conduct laboratory and field testing to validate software and hardware solutions during product development and sustainment.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure Starbucks software and electrical specifications are met.
• Support Starbucks technical gate reviews and engineering change processes.

Root Cause Analysis

• Lead investigations of software, electrical, and system-level issues. Collaborate with suppliers, to troubleshoot, and resolve problems jointly.
• Apply structured root cause analysis methodologies to identify and resolve field issues. Develop corrective and preventive actions to improve product reliability.
• Query and analyze fleet telemetry and service data to quantify issues, validate fixes, and identify reliability trends

We’d love to hear from people with:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience developing or integrating embedded software for commercial, industrial, or consumer products.
• Experience integrating software with electrical and electronic hardware systems.
• Experience supporting products through development, validation, launch, and sustainment.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Proficiency with Git, branching, code review, and disciplined commit practice.
• Demonstrated experience with writing and maintaining software and hardware specifications and managing changes through a formal process.
• Familiarity with firmware debugging and software validation methodologies.
• Knowledge of PCB design principles, digital and analog electronics.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Working SQL proficiency, and comfort analyzing large operational or telemetry datasets.
• Experience using AI tools for data analytics, software and hardware review and debugging.
• Demonstrated experience working independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams and global suppliers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance innovation, quality, reliability, and schedule commitments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with commercial food service equipment, appliances, medical devices, or industrial automation products.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Experience with embedded Linux and/or Android (AOSP or application-layer) platforms.
• Experience with IoT platforms and cloud connectivity (for example Azure IoT Hub), MQTT, and remote diagnostics.
• Familiarity with secure OTA practices: signed images, A/B partitions, rollback, and staged rollout.
• Familiarity with connected-device security fundamentals — secure boot, root of trust, SBOM, credential and certificate handling.
• Familiarity with relevant product compliance codes — UL, IEC, EMC/FCC, CE/UKCA.

Benefits

• As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits.
• Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year.
• Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools.
• Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities.
• You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement.
• If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above.
• For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] or 1(888) 611-2258.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.