Lead Software Architect

Protingent; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 168,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Protingent is seeking a Lead Software Architect to drive software architecture across embedded firmware, application software, and platform-level systems in alignment with hardware roadmaps.

You will own release and security processes, manage an external partner, and lead a small internal team while remaining hands-on in the codebase and architecture decisions in the first year.

Qualifications

• Proven software architecture leadership across embedded/firmware and application software.
• Defined and documented architecture for connected/IoT hardware products.
• Experience planning firmware and understanding hardware constraints.
• Comfort working in ambiguous environments, building process and structure.
• Direct experience managing external software development partners.
• Strong collaboration with hardware/EE teams and product management.
• 7+ years of software engineering, including architect/lead roles.
• Production-level experience with a systems language (Go preferred, C/C++ acceptable).
• IoT/embedded hardware product experience is highly valued.
• Experience mentoring a small team (2-5 people).

Responsibilities

• Architect software across embedded firmware, application software, and platform systems.
• Own release processes: versioning, code freezes, release candidates, and firmware bundles.
• Own security posture: vulnerability management and credential custody.
• Lead external development partner; ensure architecture, quality, and timelines.
• Build and grow a small internal software team, starting with the lead myself.
• Collaborate with Hardware/EE to align software and firmware decisions.
• Coordinate with Product Management and Implementation for voice-of-the-customer input.
• Contribute hands-on coding and architectural reviews, especially in year one.
• Leverage AI-assisted tooling to boost output without sacrificing quality.

Skills

Software architecture

IoT/embedded software

Firmware planning

Ambiguity tolerance

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership with hands-on coding

Experience with systems language

Go/C/C++ proficiency

Mentoring small team

Job description

Position Title: Lead Software Architect

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting FTE Lead Software Architect opportunity.

Job Responsibilities:

• Software architecture across our embedded firmware, application software, and platform-level systems; setting the technical direction for how company's software stack evolves alongside our hardware roadmap.
• Release ownership - versioning, code freeze discipline, release candidates, firmware bundle creation, and the change-order process that gates production releases.
• Security ownership - vulnerability management, credential and certificate custody, and the security posture of a product deployed in K-12 schools, including responding to the security reviews our district customers conduct.
• Leadership of our external development partner, holding outsourced work accountable to architecture, quality, and timeline standards, and making calls informing decisions on what should stay outsourced versus brought in-house over time.
• Building and leading a small internal software team, starting with yourself and growing to include additional engineers.
• Close collaboration with Hardware and EE teams, including firmware planning and definition, to ensure software and hardware/firmware decisions are made together rather than in sequence or in silos.
• Close collaboration with Product Management and Implementation teams, incorporating voice-of-the-customer input, feature definition, and testing support into the software roadmap.
• Hands-on technical work- this is not a pure management role today. You'll be writing code, reviewing architecture, and making direct design decisions, especially in the first year as the team is small.
• Use of AI-assisted development tooling to amplify the output of a lean team without sacrificing quality or architectural integrity.

Job Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience as a software architect or senior technical lead across embedded/firmware and application-level software.
• Track record of defining and documenting software architecture for connected/IoT hardware products, not just greenfield app development.
• Direct experience with firmware planning and definition, and a working fluency in how software architecture decisions constrain — and are constrained by — hardware and firmware realities.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity, building process and structure.
• Experience directing or managing an external/outsourced software development partner; holding a vendor accountable to specs, architecture standards, timelines, and quality.
• Strong collaborative instincts and communication skills; this role requires taking input from and coordinating closely with hardware/EE peers and navigating disagreement constructively.
• 7+ years of software engineering experience, including in an architect or senior technical leadership capacity.
• Production-level experience with a systems language.
• Go is preferred, but strong C or C++ experience is also acceptable.
• Experience in IoT, embedded systems, or connected hardware products strongly preferred; audio-specific experience is a nice-to-have, not a requirement.
• Direct experience managing or mentoring a small team (2-5 people) is expected.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Direct Hire
• Salary Range: $168K-183K
• Location: Tualatin, OR
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer.

About Protingent:

Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.