Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Mankato

Energy Jobline ZR; Mankato (MN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGen RF Design is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer with extensive hands-on experience in embedded C for real-time, hardware-centric systems. You will architect, implement, and debug low-level firmware across MCUs, SoCs, and Embedded Linux, partnering with hardware and systems engineers to deliver robust, production-ready software.

The role emphasizes deep technical contribution, ownership, and mentorship without people management responsibilities, across RF communications platforms.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• 10+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Solid background in embedded Linux including kernel-level debugging.
• Proven experience with interrupts, DMA, memory-mapped I/O, multithreading, and device drivers.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded C/C++ firmware for MCU/SoC-based systems.
• Lead architecture discussions and ensure scalable, production-ready software.
• Debug board bring-up and system-level issues across hardware, firmware, and OS boundaries.
• Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, and DSP teams to define software interfaces.
• Develop and execute unit, integration, and system-level tests and contribute to coding standards.

Skills

Embedded C

RTOS

Linux

Debugging

Firmware

C/C++

Git CI/CD

JTAG/SWD

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

JTAG

SWD

Oscilloscope

Logic analyzer

Trace tools

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

NextGen RF Design is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer with 7+ years of experience developing embedded C software for real-time, hardware-centric systems. This role is for a hands‑on technical expert who designs, implements, debugs, and maintains low-level firmware across microcontrollers, SoCs, and embedded Linux platforms.

You will play a critical role in architecting and delivering robust, production‑ready embedded software, working closely with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and systems engineers. While mentorship and technical leadership are expected, this is not a people‑management role, it is focused on deep technical contribution and ownership. This role requires strong hands‑on experience debugging complex embedded systems running both RTOS and Embedded Linux in production environments.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded Software Development

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded C/C++ firmware for microcontroller- and SoC-based systems.
• Implement real-time software using RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, or similar).
• Develop and maintain low-level drivers, BSPs, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers.
• Write efficient, deterministic, and maintainable code for interrupt‑driven and time‑critical systems.
• Embedded Linux is used where appropriate and complements MCU/RTOS-based systems.
• Kernel configuration and debugging
• Device drivers
• User‑space applications and services
• Lead design reviews; establish coding, documentation, and verification standards; drive technical best practices across projects.

Systems Architecture& Integration

• Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, and DSP engineers to define hardware/software partitioning.
• Translate system requirements into clear, testable software designs and interfaces.
• Participate in design reviews, ensuring software architectures are scalable, testable, and production‑ready.
• Support integration of embedded software into complete RF and embedded systems.

Debugging & Bring‑Up

• Lead board bring‑up and system‑level debugging on new hardware.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues involving:
  • Memory corruption, stack overflows, conditions
  • Timing issues, watchdog resets, and hard faults
  • Kernel panics and low‑level Linux issues
• Use tools such as JTAG/SWD debuggers, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and trace tools.
• Debug across hardware, firmware, and OS boundaries.

Customer & Business Alignment

• Work directly with customers to capture requirements, translate into system‑level specifications, and communicate design tradeoffs.
• Represent the company at customer design reviews, technical working groups, or industry events as needed.

Verification, Quality Production Support

• Develop and execute unit, integration, and system‑level test strategies.
• Ensure software meets performance, reliability, and maintainability requirements.
• Support manufacturing test, field issues, and long‑term product sustainment.
• Contribute to coding standards, documentation, and software best practices.
• Support requirements traceability, documentation, and formal verification activities consistent with structured product development and quality system standards.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid‑level engineers.
• Lead by example through code quality, design rigor, and problem‑solving approach.
• Influence engineering best practices without formal management responsibility.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in embedded software development.
• Solid background in embedded Linux, including kernel‑level debugging.
• Proven experience with:
  • Interrupts, DMA, memory‑mapped I/O
  • Multithreading, synchronization, and real‑time constraints
  • Device driver development
• Deep debugging skills using both software and hardware tools.
• Expert-level skills in:
  • C/C++ for embedded systems (bare metal and RTOS).
  • Git‑based version control and CI/CD workflows.
• Basic understanding of RF communications protocols (e.g., LoRa, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, LTE/5G, proprietary modulations).
• Ability to manage tasks using Atlassian JIRA or other software tracking tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or mentoring junior engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to explain technical tradeoffs to both engineers and executives.
• Experience with ISO 9001 or other regulated development environments.

End-to‑end ownership: define requirements, document designs, develop and verify firmware; proficient with interrupt‑driven, real‑time systems and device drivers.

• Evaluate and partition functions across CPU, FPGA, and peripherals, making clear cost, performance, and schedule tradeoffs.

JOB SNAPSHOT

• Base Pay: Competitive; commensurate with experience
• Employment: Full‑Time, OnSite/Hybrid
• Job Type: Engineering, Embedded Design
• Education: BSCE/BSEE required.
• Experience: 7 years experience
• Manages Others: No
• Industry: RF Engineering Services
• Required Travel: Not Specified