Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Socket.dev; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Det-Tronics, a global technology leader in industrial life safety solutions, seeks a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to own firmware architecture and lifecycle management for NPD and sustaining products. You will collaborate with hardware teams, drive design execution, and uphold coding standards across Agile teams.

The role requires 8+ years in embedded C/C++, 3+ years with RTOS, and experience with debugging tools and protocol analyzers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering or CS.
• 8+ years of embedded software/firmware development in C/C++.
• 3+ years of Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate concepts into robust firmware architectures for regulated products.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers on firmware integration strategies.
• Lead design, implementation, and testing across NPD and sustaining programs.
• Ensure code is well-documented, tested, and version-controlled.
• Develop work breakdown structures and task estimates for projects.
• Develop metrics and risk mitigation plans for firmware lifecycles.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

Agile

DevOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering or CS

Tools

JTAG/SWD debuggers

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Protocol analyzers (UART I2C SPI Ethernet)

Job description

About Us:

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:

• 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 reimbursement
• Employee 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

Ready to shape the future of industrial safety?