Principal Software Engineer (Embedded)

Forj Medical; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Forj Medical designs and develops custom electromechanical devices driven by safety-critical embedded software. Join as a Principal Software Engineer to lead architecture, design decisions, and high‑impact software delivery for medical devices.

You will drive technical leadership across teams, partner with clients, program leaders, and engineers to ensure safe, secure, and maintainable software, while advancing software quality and reusable platforms in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or equivalent degree in Computer/Software Engineering, Computer Science or similar field.
• 10+ years’ experience in embedded software development in medical device or other regulated industry, including in a lead role.
• Proven track record of technical leadership on complex products or platforms.
• Ability to create clear technical narratives and diagrams for varied audiences.
• Significant experience with embedded Linux development on SoMs – Yocto Project/BSP and driver configuration.
• Deep expertise in embedded software architecture, design, implementation, integration, and test using C and/or C++.
• Strong experience with microcontrollers, RTOS-based systems (e.g. ThreadX), device drivers, IPC, and hardware/software integration.
• Experience with GUI frameworks (Qt/QML) and automated builds/CI/CD; cybersecurity knowledge in medical devices.
• Experience creating reusable software components and influencing engineering practices across teams.

Responsibilities

• Applying expert knowledge of the Forj Quality Management System, FDA regulations, IEC 62304, and cybersecurity standards to software system development.
• Proactively identifying risks early and communicating recommendations to stakeholders.
• Leading requirements definition, architectural design, and technical decision-making across software-intensive medical device systems.
• Providing detailed estimates for milestones and software deliverables; delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• Leading architecture, design, implementation, testing and integration of software features in an agile workflow.
• Mentoring a team of software engineers through work planning and coordination of execution.
• Design, implement and test project source code, debug difficult issues, and navigate integration challenges.
• Owning the technical quality of all software artifacts and driving sustainable software practices.
• Serving as a trusted advisor to clients and cross-functional teams on high-impact technical decisions.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++

Yocto Project/BSP

RTOS (ThreadX)

Linux development

Architecture design

Technical leadership

Systems-level thinking

Education

BS/MS in Computer/Software Engineering

Tools

Yocto

Qt/QML

LVGL

CI/CD

Python

Job description

Forj Medical designs and develops custom electromechanical devices driven by safety-critical embedded software. We work in 4 major Technology Segments: Fluid & Gas Management, Optical Systems, Surgical Energy and Stimulation/Active Wearables. Our projects typically involve ‘greenfield’, bespoke designs - giving our engineers both depth and breadth in design challenges – opportunities to learn & grow abound.

What You’ll Do

As a Principal Software Engineer at Forj, you’ll be one of our most trusted technical leaders—helping teams turn our clients’ most difficult medical-device challenges into safe, secure, and maintainable embedded software. You’ll combine deep hands-on engineering with broad influence: shaping product and platform architectures, guiding critical technical decisions, and raising the quality of software work across projects. You’ll work with significant autonomy, but not alone—partnering closely with clients, program leaders, and engineers across systems, electrical, mechanical, test & quality.

Core Responsibilities Include

• Applying expert knowledge of the Forj Quality Management System, FDA regulations, IEC 62304, and cybersecurity standards to software system development.
• Proactively identifying the highest technical and program risks early; evaluating alternatives, making thoughtful tradeoffs, and communicating recommendations clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Leading requirements definition, architectural design, and technical decision-making across software-intensive medical device systems.
• Providing detailed estimates in support of project milestones and software deliverables; delivering medium to highly complex software projects within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Applying a unique feature-focused method of breaking down software system functionality; you'll iteratively lead your software team through architecture, design, implementation, testing and integration of software features in an agile workflow.
• Leading and mentoring a team of software engineers through work planning, task delegation, and coordination of execution.
• Design, implement and test project source code, especially in critical areas, including debugging difficult system issues, navigating integration challenges, and demonstrating effective engineering practices.
• Owning the technical quality of all software artifacts – ensuring architectural integrity, code quality and design robustness.
• Driving software process improvements, reusable platforms, and engineering initiatives that benefit multiple projects.
• Serving as a trusted advisor to clients, engineering leadership, and cross-functional teams on high-impact technical decisions.

You’ll have a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients – our recent products help clinicians treat cancer, sustain life and alleviate pain.

To top it off, we think you’ll enjoy working with other smart, curious and talented engineers as you bring medical devices to life.

What You Bring

• BS, MS, or equivalent degree in Computer/Software Engineering, Computer Science or similar field.
• 10+ years’ experience in embedded software development in medical device or other regulated industry, including in a lead role with a track record of successful software delivery using an inspirational and effective leadership style.
• A record of technical leadership on complex products or platforms, with influence extending beyond a single feature or project team.
• The ability to create clear technical narratives and diagrams, explain difficult concepts to varied audiences, and build trust with clients, peers, and leaders.
• Significant experience with embedded Linux development on SoMs – particularly with Yocto Project/BSP and driver configuration.
• Deep expertise in embedded software architecture, design, implementation, integration, and test using C and/or C++; experience with C#, Python, or other supporting languages is helpful.
• Demonstrated proficiency in solving high-complexity software problems – including a methodical, reasoned approach to reproducing and fixing bugs.
• Strong experience with microcontrollers, RTOS-based systems (e.g. ThreadX), device drivers, interprocess or interprocessor communications, and hardware/software integration.
• Experience with one or more of the following: communication protocols; Qt/QML, LVGL or other GUI frameworks; automated builds and CI/CD; static analysis; Python or other scripting languages; medical-device cybersecurity.
• Experience creating reusable software components, influencing engineering practices across teams, evaluating shared technologies, or contributing to proposals and technical strategy is especially valuable.

How We Work

Project teams are led by a Program Manager / Systems Engineer; technical leads from Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Test and Quality collaborate on projects for clients ranging from established companies to small startups.

We foster a strong engineering culture and operate under mature software & product development processes.

We invest in tools, automation and continuous improvement.

We work at an efficient, sustainable pace – taking time for fun along the way!

Working Conditions

Must be authorized for permanent work in the United States.

EEO Statement

Forj, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.