Principal Firmware Engineer

Boston Engineering; Waltham (MA); On-site; 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 seeks a Principal Firmware Engineer to own embedded software strategy, lead hands-on development, and drive cross-team collaboration. You will design, implement, and debug RTOS-based firmware, guide hardware interactions, and mentor engineers across electrical and mechanical teams.

The role emphasizes architecture, risk management, and process improvements while delivering reliable firmware for complex robotic and marine systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree required in CS/EE or related field; MS preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years in embedded/firmware development with leadership experience.
• Strong C/C++ for embedded, Python for tooling/testing, and hands-on RTOS (FreeRTOS/ROS2/Zephyr) experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead 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.
• Mentor engineers on firmware architecture, debugging, and best practices.
• Communicate technical concepts, risks, and status to stakeholders.

Skills

Embedded/firmware

C / C++

Python

RTOS

Communication skills

Security clearance capable

Education

BS in CS/EE or related

MS preferred

Tools

Git

Embedded toolchains

Debugging tools

STM32

Zephyr/FreeRTOS

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.

WATCH: Boston Engineering – Product Development Services

Job Description

This is a Principal 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 Principal 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

Take a look at how Boston Engineering applies engineering expertise to the development of BIOSwimmer, an autonomous underwater robotic fish.

WATCH: How Reverse Engineering Propels BIOSwimmer – The Robotic Fish

What You'll Do

• 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-Time Role

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

email: [e-mail] LinkedIn: Christine Higgins | LinkedIn