Senior Manager Engineering Firmware

generac; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac is seeking a Senior Manager, Engineering - Firmware to lead the firmware and embedded software team responsible for embedded controls at the heart of Generac's home energy products. You will set technical direction, build a high-performing team, and partner with hardware, systems engineering, product management, and test to deliver reliable firmware on schedule.

The role combines deep embedded systems expertise with people leadership, planning, and cross-functional collaboration to drive

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years embedded firmware and software experience in languages such as C, C++, and C#.
• Minimum 3 years leading engineering teams; people management strongly preferred.
• Proven success taking embedded products from concept through production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a firmware and embedded software team.
• Set technical vision and coding standards for firmware development.
• Own firmware architecture for embedded controllers.
• Guide design and development of application firmware in C and C++.
• Direct verification strategy with tests and SIL/HIL environments.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems engineering, product management, and test.
• Balance project capacity across new development and sustaining support.
• Provide effort estimates and input to roadmap decisions.

Skills

Firmware leadership

Embedded systems

C/C++

People management

System architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Software Engineering

Tools

FMEA/DFMEA

Simulation tools

PC-based test tools

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most.

For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future.

Generac Home is hiring for a Senior Manager, Engineering - Firmware. In this role the successful candidate leads the firmware and embedded software team responsible for the embedded controls at the heart of Generac's home energy products. This leader sets technical direction for firmware development across new product development, feature enhancements, and existing product support, while building, coaching, and growing a high-performing team of firmware and software engineers. The role pairs deep technical credibility in embedded systems with the people leadership, planning, and cross-functional partnership needed to deliver reliable, high-quality firmware on schedule. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this leader partners closely with hardware, systems engineering, product management, test, and the broader platform organization.

Major Responsibilities

Leadership & Team

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of firmware and embedded software engineers, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, career development, and succession planning.

• Set and communicate the technical vision, standards, and best practices for firmware development across the team's product portfolio.

• Build a culture of quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Plan and manage team capacity and resource allocation across concurrent projects, balancing new product development against sustaining and field-support demands.

• Establish team goals and individual development plans aligned to the engineering organization's roadmap and objectives.

Technical & Delivery Leadership

• Own the firmware architecture and design approach for embedded controllers across the team's product area.

• Guide the design and development of application firmware in C and C++ for embedded controllers, including communication interfaces, control algorithms, and new system features.

• Direct the firmware verification strategy, including test specification, lab and on-product system testing, and integration with HIL and SIL verification environments.

• Ensure adherence to coding standards, documentation, configuration management, and applicable compliance and functional safety requirements.

• Lead and participate in design reviews, code reviews, FMEA and DFMEA, and Design for Manufacturability and Design for Test activities.

• Direct root cause analysis and resolution of firmware field issues in partnership with the lifecycle and platform organizations.

Cross-Functional & Program Leadership

• Partner with hardware, systems engineering, product management, test, and other core engineering teams (engines, transfer switches, alternators, and others) to define interfaces, requirements, and control algorithms.

• Collaborate with the platform and specialties organization on common firmware approaches, reuse, and platform consistency across product lines.

• Represent firmware in project planning, estimation, prioritization, and risk management, and communicate status and trade-offs to engineering and product leadership.

• Provide effort estimates and technical feasibility input to support intake and roadmap decisions.

Other

• Occasional travel to other Generac facilities and customer sites, anticipated at less than 10 percent.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a directly related engineering degree required. Advanced degree preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years of embedded firmware and software development experience using languages such as C, C++, and C#, with progressively increasing responsibility.

• Minimum 3 years leading engineering teams, as a people manager or in a formal technical leadership capacity. Direct people management strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success taking embedded products from concept through production.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong people leadership, with the ability to hire, develop, motivate, and retain engineering talent.

• Expert understanding of embedded systems engineering principles and firmware development for microprocessors and microcontrollers.

• Expert knowledge of communication protocols and hardware interfaces.

• Proven ability to set technical direction and make sound architecture and design decisions.

• Strong project and resource planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple projects.

• Excellent ability to translate complex technical information for both technical and non-technical audiences and to influence across functions.

• Advanced ability with FMEA and DFMEA and with Design for Test and Manufacturability practices.

• Experience with simulation tools and with developing PC-based test tools.

• Ability to troubleshoot designs to the component level.

• Strong commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

At this time candidates who require sponsorship now or in the future cannot be considered inclusive of OPT or H1B transfer

No agencies or 3rd party candidates at this time

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.