Principal Software Engineer - Embedded OS

Medtronic; Lafayette (CO); On-site; USD 153,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Medtronic is seeking a Principal Software Engineer – Embedded OS to lead OS layer development across Capital Products. You will work with the Embedded Platforms Team to deliver robust, secure embedded software across multiple products.

The role focuses on building Yocto-based Linux distributions, BSPs, hypervisors, and secure boot/in OTA mechanisms, while collaborating with hardware and product management in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or technically related and 7+ years of software development experience
• Master’s Degree in Engineering or technically related and 5+ years of software development experience
• PhD with 3 years of software development experience
• Strong experience in Yocto
• Strong experience embedded Linux platform development
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx SoC-based embedded systems (AMD Zynq 7000 series / Zynq UltraScale+, Kria SOM)
• Experience with Yocto, build systems, and CI/CD pipelines
• Solid understanding of BSP and OS layers, boot flows, and device security
• Ability to collaborate in a cross-functional team with hardware, application, and product management stakeholders
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies (Scrum)
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded platform software and build infrastructure
• Create and support Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions
• Create CI/CD pipelines integrated with security automation tools
• Develop and maintain BSP software, including hypervisors and device drivers
• Support networking security, secure boot, and OTA update mechanisms
• Collaborate with product teams to define platform capabilities
• Develop and document software engineering policies and procedures
• Act as primary Platforms POC with program leads and other stakeholders

Skills

Embedded OS development

Debugging & problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Security awareness

CI/CD mindset

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or technically related

Master’s Degree in Engineering or technically related

PhD in Engineering or technically related

Tools

Yocto

Embedded Linux

BSP & OS layers

Hypervisors

Device drivers

CI/CD pipelines

Docker & Artifactory

Python

Bash

GNU Make

GitHub/Gitlab

Jira/Bamboo/Confluence/Bitbucket

Networking security

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 2 Sep 2026. Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

A Day in the Life

The Principal Software Engineer – Embedded OS will lead OS layer development and maintenance activities for new and released products within the Capital Products portfolio.

Principal Software Engineer

The Principal Software Engineer – Embedded OS will join the Embedded Platforms Team to lead OS layer development and maintenance activities for new and released products in the Capital Products portfolio. The Platforms team is responsible for delivering the core software infrastructure and foundational system components that enable product functionality to be implemented in the application layer. The Principal Software Engineer will contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust and secure embedded software platform deployed across multiple products.

Job Description Summary

The Principal Software Engineer - Embedded OS designs and implements embedded OS layer software and infrastructure with an emphasis on secure software products and processes.

Overview

The Principal Software Engineer - Embedded OS will join the Embedded Platforms Team to lead OS layer development and maintenance activities for new and released products in the Capital Products portfolio. The Platforms team is responsible for delivering the core software infrastructure and foundational system components that enable product functionality to be implemented in the application layer. The Principal Software Engineer will contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust and secure embedded software platform deployed across multiple products.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded platform software and build infrastructure
• Create and support Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions
• Create CI/CD pipelines integrated with security automation tools
• Develop and maintain BSP software, including hypervisors and device drivers
• Support networking security, secure boot, and OTA update mechanisms
• Collaborate with product teams to define platform capabilities
• Develop and document software engineering policies and procedures
• Act as primary Platforms POC with program leads and other stakeholders

Technologies & Tools

• AMD Zynq and Zynq UltraScale+ SoCs
• Yocto-based Embedded Linux
• Embedded hypervisors and Linux device drivers
• Custom build systems and CI/CD pipelines
• Docker and Artifactory
• Python, Bash, and GNU Make
• Atlassian tools (Bitbucket, Jira, Bamboo, Confluence) and GitHub/Gitlab
• Networking security and secure boot technologies

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or technically related and 7+ years of software development experience or, Master's Degree in Engineering or technically related and 5+ years of software development experience, or PhD with 3 years of software development experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience in Yocto
• Strong experience embedded Linux platform development
• Hands‑on experience with Xilinx SoC‑based embedded systems (AMD Zynq 7000 series / Zynq UltraScale+, Kria SOM)
• Experience with Yocto, build systems, and CI/CD pipelines
• Solid understanding of BSP and OS layers, boot flows, and device security
• Ability to collaborate in a cross‑functional team with hardware, application, and product management stakeholders
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies (Scrum)
• Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills

For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R.

• 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise‑wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long‑term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package

A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$152,800.00 - $229,200.00

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).

The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.

Further details are available at the link below:

Medtronic Benefits And Compensation Plans

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.