Senior Firmware Architect for Industrial Embedded Systems

Softing Inc. (USA); Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Softing, Inc. in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to lead the development of advanced embedded firmware for industrial networking and automation products.

This senior role combines hands-on firmware work with technical leadership across complex embedded systems. You will own firmware projects end-to-end, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer/Electrical/CS required or related field; Master's preferred.
• Fifteen+ years of firmware/embedded software experience with leadership of complex projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in embedded firmware development using C and C++.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead firmware projects or major subsystems from concept to production release.
• Define firmware architectures, design approaches, and implementation strategies.
• Coordinate and guide multiple firmware engineers through technical leadership and reviews.
• Design, implement, and review embedded firmware using C and C++ across Linux and RTOS platforms.
• Lead BSPs, bootloaders, device drivers, and middleware development and integration.
• Lead firmware bring-up, debugging, optimization, and system integration activities.
• Establish firmware verification and validation strategies for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks throughout the lifecycle.
• Serve as primary firmware interface with Hardware, Software, Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and PM teams.
• Provide advanced technical support for manufacturing, field, or customer issues.
• Mentor Associates, Firmware, and Senior Firmware Engineers.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Device drivers

U-Boot / GRUB

Kernel debugging

Leadership

Embedded systems architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Yocto

Zephyr

FreeRTOS

VxWorks

Job description

Softing, Inc. in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to lead the development of advanced embedded firmware for industrial networking and automation products.

This senior role combines hands-on firmware work with technical leadership across complex embedded systems. You will own firmware projects end-to-end, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance.