Firmware Engineer

Gofractional; Remote; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative technology firm is seeking a Firmware/Embedded Engineer to develop and maintain Linux-based gateway systems for IoT applications. Responsibilities include end-to-end firmware design, implementing networking protocols, and ensuring system security. The role requires strong C/C++/Python skills, with 5-10+ years of experience in embedded systems. Compensation ranges from $100 to $120 per hour, offering an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of related experience in embedded systems.
• Experience with cloud services integration is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain embedded Linux-based systems.
• Integrate kernel modules and device drivers.
• Ensure stable and secure connectivity with a 99% uptime target.
• Implement secure boot and signed firmware.

Skills

C/C++/Python skills in embedded Linux environments

Hands-on experience with Yocto

Familiarity with OTA updates

Experience with networking stacks

Job description

We’re seeking an experienced Firmware/Embedded Engineer to develop, optimize, and maintain embedded Linux–based gateway systems for IoT and edge applications. The role involves end-to-end firmware design, connectivity, security, and integration with cloud services.

Preferred Experience:

• Strong C/C++/Python skills in embedded Linux environments.
• Hands-on experience with Yocto, BSPs, and networking stacks.
• Familiarity with OTA updates, secure boot, and cloud-IoT integration.
• 5-10+ years related experience

Responsibilities:

Embedded Linux Platform

• Build and customize Linux OS images (Yocto or Debian-based).
• Integrate kernel modules, device drivers, and BSPs.
• Optimize boot time, memory, and power usage for embedded devices.

Connectivity & Networking

• Implement and manage Ethernet, Wi-Fi, LTE/4G, and PoE networking.
• Configure DHCP, DNS, MQTT, HTTP/HTTPS, NAT, and firewall rules.
• Ensure stable and secure connectivity with automatic recovery (99% uptime target).

System Software & Middleware

• Develop C/C++/Python services for data acquisition, buffering, and routing.
• Integrate edge ML models and cloud middleware (AWS, MQTT, REST APIs).
• Manage local storage, caching, and retry logic for intermittent networks.

Security & Reliability

• Implement secure boot, signed firmware, and integrity checks.
• Manage certificates, keys, and access control.
• Support OTA firmware updates with rollback protection.

Monitoring & Diagnostics

• Design system health telemetry (CPU, memory, connectivity, temperature).
• Create watchdogs, auto-recovery scripts, and remote logging/debugging (jFrog, syslog).
• Support remote firmware updates and diagnostics.

Testing & CI/CD

• Develop and automate unit/integration tests.
• Collaborate with QA on test execution and system validation.

Hardware Integration

• Bring up and test peripherals (Wi-Fi, LTE, USB, GPIO).
• Integrate and test Linux drivers (Qualcomm and custom).
• Validate sensor and RF interfaces.

Performance Optimization

• Profile CPU, memory, and I/O performance.
• Tune kernel and network parameters for reliability and throughput.
• Optimize flash storage and file system usage.

Cloud & Edge Integration

• Develop clients for MQTT, HTTPS, and WebSockets.
• Handle device provisioning and cloud connectivity (AWS IoT Core, Azure).
• Support remote configuration and edge analytics modules.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Work cross-functionally with hardware, QA, and cloud teams.
• Participate in code/architecture reviews.
• Document system architecture and deployment guides

Rate: $100 - $120 / per hour. 40 hours per week.