Manager, Firmware Development

Keenfinity; Burnsville (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off and sick leave programs

Job summary

Keenfinity in Burnsville, Minnesota is seeking a Manager, Firmware Development to lead a multi-site engineering team focused on firmware and embedded software for audio communication products. This role includes overseeing engineering staffing and processes, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring product quality and compliance.

The ideal candidate should have significant experience in firmware development and management, a strong technical background, and the ability to drive change and innovation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of software/firmware development experience, including complex real-time embedded systems.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering management experience leading firmware development teams.
• Strong expertise in embedded firmware development and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Leading firmware development and testing for complex audio communication products.
• Managing engineering maintenance and long-term product support.
• Driving improvements in engineering processes and development toolchains.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Linux

Embedded firmware development

Agile methodologies

CI/CD pipelines

Automated testing frameworks

Digital audio

Networking technologies

Cloud Computing

HTML

Qt

Education

BS in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering

MS (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

The Manager, Firmware Development leads a multi‑site engineering team responsible for firmware and embedded software development for Intercom used in broadcast media production, theaters, houses of worship, transportation, energy, commercial and general and aviation products as well as other mission‑critical communication environments. This role provides technical and organizational leadership for firmware development, test operations, engineering processes, and software tool management supporting complex real‑time audio communication systems.

The manager is responsible for ensuring the engineering organization is appropriately staffed, trained, and aligned to meet product roadmap, customer, and business objectives. This position works closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and cross‑functional engineering teams to drive innovation, improve development efficiency, and deliver high‑quality products on schedule and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Leading firmware and real‑time embedded software development and testing for complex audio communication products.
• Managing continuation engineering, maintenance releases, and long‑term product support activities.
• Collaborating with Product Management and engineering teams to define requirements, prioritize product backlogs, and align technical execution with business objectives.
• Driving improvements in engineering processes, CI/CD pipelines, development toolchains, and automated test systems to improve quality and efficiency.
• Providing technical leadership in embedded firmware, hardware/software integration, and complex system‑level design challenges.
• Monitoring project schedules, technical risks, team performance, and resource utilization to ensure successful project execution.
• Leading staffing, budgeting, recruiting, coaching, performance management, and career development for firmware engineering staff.
• Supporting product roadmap planning, technology evaluations, and innovation initiatives while identifying and mitigating technical risks.
• Working closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams to improve product reliability, compliance, manufacturability, and operational efficiency.
• Interfacing with customers, leadership, and cross‑functional teams to communicate technical solutions, development status, and project risks.
• Ensuring adherence to engineering processes, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices for embedded firmware development.

Qualifications

• BS in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering required; MS preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of software/firmware development experience, including complex real‑time embedded systems.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering management experience leading firmware development teams and developing processes for firmware development.
• Strong expertise in C, C++, Python, Linux, DevOps environments, GitLab, and embedded firmware development.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Preferred experience with digital audio, networking technologies, and embedded hardware/firmware systems.
• Familiarity with Cloud Computing, HTML, and Qt is a plus.
• Very strong analytical, communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to drive and champion change and growth within an organization.
• Knowledge of EMI/ESD mitigation, EMC compliance, grounding techniques, and international safety standards preferred.
• Experience developing products in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 5%).
• Sponsorship is not available.

Core Competencies

• Technical leadership and strategic thinking.
• Embedded systems and firmware expertise.
• Team building, mentoring, and organizational development.
• Process improvement and operational excellence.
• Risk management and problem‑solving.
• Strong customer and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and sit for extended periods of time.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Additional Information

The U.S. base salary range for this full‑time position is $150,000–170,000 annually. Within the range, individual pay is determined based on several factors, including, but not limited to, work experience and job knowledge, complexity of the role, job location, etc.

In addition to base salary, full‑time employees are eligible to participate in Keenfinity Group's (US) Health and Welfare Benefit Plans—including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance—as well as the company’s 401(k) plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the respective plan documents. Full‑time employees are eligible to participate in Keenfinity Group’s paid time off and sick leave programs in accordance with applicable policies.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made, to the extent they do not pose an undue hardship, to enable qualified individuals with covered disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Indefinite U.S. work authorized individuals only. Future sponsorship for work authorization is not available.
• All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Keenfinity is an equal opportunity employer, offering equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from people with disabilities and can offer support, if needed. When everyone has a chance to contribute, we all do better.