Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Det-Tronics (Detector Electronics, LLC); Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

Job summary

Det-Tronics, a Spectrum Safety Solutions company, is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to lead firmware design, implementation, and testing for NPD and sustaining products. You will own software architecture, drive development processes, and collaborate with hardware teams to ensure robust, compliant firmware across multiple programs.

The role requires a strong background in C/C++, RTOS, and Agile practices, with the ability to guide cross-functional teams and contribute to product

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of embedded software/firmware development in C/C++.
• 3+ years of RTOS experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate high-level concepts into robust firmware architectures.
• Document requirements and rationale for regulated products to ensure traceability.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers on firmware integration strategies and diagnostics.
• Work with Product Owners using Agile practices to maintain alignment throughout the development lifecycle.
• Adhere to development processes and lead technical reviews, ensuring coding standards and documentation are met.
• Perform unit testing using IDEs, debuggers, emulators, and analyzers.
• Provide task estimates and work breakdown plans for projects.
• Contribute to product roadmap planning and identify competency gaps to address them.
• Develop metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Support multiple product development programs concurrently.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies across firmware lifecycle.

Skills

Embedded firmware

C/C++

RTOS

Agile/DevOps

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

JTAG/SWD

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

UART/I2C/SPI

Job description

About Us

Det-Tronics is a $200M global technology leader in industrial life safety solutions,

Det-Tronics is a $200M global technology leader in industrial life safety solutions, specializing in high-end flame and gas detection and automation control systems. As part of Spectrum Safety Solutions with 1,700 employees across 20+ countries we serve mission-critical environments in oil & gas, clean energy, marine, and infrastructure. Backed by Sentinel Capital Partners, we’re driving innovation and growth across our portfolio.

The Opportunity

The Principal Embedded Software Engineer will lead the firmware design, implementation and test aspects of New Product Development programs (NPD) and Sustaining products throughout their entire lifecycle. The chosen candidate will own the software architecture and design execution, along with processes, tools, and metrics used for new product development and on-going sustaining programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate high-level concepts into robust, maintainable firmware architectures.
• Capture and document requirements and rationale for regulated products to ensure traceability and compliance.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define and implement hardware/firmware integration strategies and diagnostic coverage.
• Work with Product Owners and stakeholders using Agile practices to maintain alignment and transparency throughout the development lifecycle.
• Adhere to and champion development processes, lead technical reviews, and implement source code that meets product requirements and complies with coding standards.
• Ensure all code is well-documented, rigorously tested, and version-controlled.
• Perform unit testing using tools such as IDEs, debuggers, emulators, communication analyzers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Provide work breakdown plans and task estimates to support project planning and tracking.
• Contribute to product roadmap planning, identify competency and resource gaps, and implement plans to close the gaps.
• Develop metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Support multiple product development programs simultaneously.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies throughout the firmware development lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience developing embedded software/firmware using C/C++.
• 3+ years of experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in regulated industries (e.g., medical, industrial safety, automotive).
• Skilled in using firmware debugging tools such as JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers (e.g., UART, I2C, SPI, Ethernet).
• Proven ability to deliver firmware across the full development lifecycle—from requirements capture to design, implementation, and validation.
• Proficient in Agile development and DevOps tools such as Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience contributing to FMEAs and implementing risk mitigation strategies in firmware.
• Strong communication and writing skills for collaboration with project stakeholders (Product Managers, Customers, and other Engineers).
• Skilled in collaborating with other engineers to distill market needs into defined technical requirements and system/subsystem/module architectures.
• Self-motivated with a proven track record of leading process improvement efforts.

Why Join Us?

• Work with a globally respected brand in life safety
• Influence strategic decisions at the executive level
• Drive innovation and transformation in a high-growth environment
• Enjoy development opportunities within a dynamic, private equity-backed company

Benefits

At Det-Tronics, we believe in taking care of our people. Our comprehensive benefits

Package Includes

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with company contributions
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with company match, life and disability insurance
• Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO), holidays, and flexible scheduling options
• Professional Growth: Career development programs, training opportunities, and tuition reimbursementEmployee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness resources, and global mobility support
• Ownership Culture: Participation in our Ownership Program, empowering employees to share in our success