Lead Firmware Engineer

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Waltham, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Boston Engineering in Waltham, MA is seeking a Lead Firmware Engineer. This hands-on role focuses on embedded and firmware development, including RTOS-based systems, hardware bring-up, and driver development.

You will design, code, debug, and integrate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust solutions. You will set technical direction, mentor engineers, review designs, and help push projects from concept to production.

Qualifications

• 7+ years embedded/firmware experience; 3+ years in a senior/lead role.
• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; MS preferred.
• Strong C and C++ for embedded; Python for tooling/testing.
• Hands-on RTOS experience such as FreeRTOS, ROS2, Zephyr or similar.
• Experience with STM32, ARM-based MCUs/SoCs, x86, PIC32 or similar.
• Experience with I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, GPIO, and other low-level interfaces.
• Experience with Git, embedded development tools, build systems, and debugging environments.
• Experience authoring and reviewing software requirements, specifications, and design documentation.
• Experience leading technical and design reviews.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on firmware development and debugging.
• Systems design and architecture for embedded platforms.
• Integrate firmware with hardware, sensors, and control systems.
• Mentor engineers on firmware architecture and best practices.
• Lead design reviews and roadmap planning.
• Support development workflows, integration, and production transition.
• Communicate technical concepts, tradeoffs, and risks to stakeholders.

Skills

Embedded firmware development

Senior/lead experience

C/C++ for embedded

Python tooling/testing

RTOS experience

ARM/STM32 familiarity

Git and debugging tools

Communication skills

Education

BS in Computer Science / Electrical / Computer Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

Git

Build systems

Debugging environments

Job description

Boston Engineering is where innovative ideas become real-world technologies. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, we've spent more than 30 years partnering with commercial and government clients to solve complex engineering challenges and bring breakthrough products to market. From advanced robotics and autonomous systems to medical devices, digital solutions, defense technologies, and industrial automation, our teams work on meaningful projects that push the boundaries of what's possible

Job Description

This role is restricted to US persons (i.e., US citizens, permanent residents, and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export-controlled technology. Boston Engineering will require proof of status prior to employment.

See the Kind of Work You'll Be Part Of

See how Boston Engineering helps clients turn complex ideas into real-world products and technologies.

This is a hands-on Lead Firmware Engineer role. While the title includes "software," the work is primarily embedded and firmware-focused: RTOS-based systems, hardware bring-up, driver development, board-level debugging, and close collaboration with electrical and mechanical teams.

This is not a role where you'll simply provide technical direction from the sidelines. You'll be designing, coding, debugging, integrating, and solving difficult problems alongside the engineering team.

The Lead Firmware Engineer owns embedded software at both the tactical and strategic levels, ensuring systems are architected correctly, risks are identified early, and the broader team is unblocked when challenges arise. This role sets technical direction, improves and documents software processes, establishes best practices, and mentor's engineers.

How You'll Spend Your Time

• 40% — Hands-on firmware development and debugging
• 30% — Systems Design
• 15% — Integration, manufacturing and production support
• 15% — Mentoring, code/design reviews, and process improvement

See the Technology in Action

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of embedded and firmware systems
• Write and review RTOS-based firmware using FreeRTOS, ROS2, Zephyr, or similar
• Architect firmware integrated with custom hardware, sensors, and control systems
• Develop firmware, device drivers, and communication stacks
• Review schematics and PCB layouts to identify firmware impacts and integration risks
• Debug complex software, firmware, and hardware issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and other bench tools
• Build and maintain benchtop development setups ('roadkills') for early firmware development
• Lead technical design reviews, architecture discussions, and roadmap planning
• Act as the technical escalation point when embedded or system-level issues block progress
• Mentor engineers on firmware architecture, debugging, and best practices
• Break down ambiguous problems into executable engineering plans
• Support development workflows, integration, manufacturing, and transition to production
• Communicate technical concepts, tradeoffs, risks, and status to engineering and non-engineering stakeholders

Qualifications

Requirements and Preferences

7+ years of embedded/firmware development experience, including 3+ years in a senior or technical lead role

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; MS preferred

Strong C and C++ experience for embedded systems and Python for tooling/testing

Hands-on RTOS experience such as FreeRTOS, ROS2, Zephyr, or similar

Experience with STM32, ARM-based MCUs/SoCs, x86, PIC32, or similar

Experience with I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, GPIO, and other low-level interfaces

Experience with Git, embedded development tools, build systems, and debugging environments

Experience authoring and reviewing software requirements, specifications, and design documentation

Experience leading technical and design reviews

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Highly Desirable

Experience with maritime systems, robotics, uncrewed systems, or military platforms

Experience with navigation, localization, sensor fusion, or autonomy systems

Experience debugging networking stacks and board-level communication issues

Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, ISO 9001, or CMMI quality frameworks

Experience working in customer-driven R&D and product development environments

Bonus Attributes

Proposal development, feasibility studies, or early-stage technical concepts

AI, machine learning, or computer vision applied to embedded or robotic systems

Safety-critical or mission-critical software development

Government or defense-related programs

Agile, DevOps, or quality management systems

Additional Information

Employment Type: Full-TimeRole

Reports to:Director, Software Engineering

Location: Office-based role in Waltham, Massachusetts

Relocation: Not available at this time.

Travel: Minimal

Salary Range: The base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The final offer amount will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s education, knowledge, experience, and skills. A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) match, and paid time off, is also provided.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Questions?

Please contact Christine Higgins, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Boston Engineering