Software Firmware Engineer

Mindshare Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mindshare Executive Search is seeking a Staff Firmware Software Engineer to join an Agricultural and construction Product Development organization in West Chicago. You will architect and develop core software for automotive-grade, real-time ECUs, including bootloader, RTOS, and cybersecurity components.

You will lead firmware efforts, coordinate with hardware and software teams onsite, and drive integration with suppliers, while ensuring safety and performance per ISO25119/ISO13849 guidelines.

Qualifications

• 8+ years embedded software experience (low-level drivers, BSP, middle layer)
• Experience building firmware for automotive grade ECUs
• Experience with 16/32-bit automotive MCUs and compilers/linkers
• Experience with CAN-based protocols (J1939, XCP, KWP, UDS) and related tools
• Familiarity with RTOS (Autosar OSEK or similar) and cybersecurity concepts

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop core software for automotive-grade ECUs.
• Design and develop firmware with security features and bootloaders.
• Configure AUTOSAR MCAL drivers and integrate legacy modules.
• Lead software tasks, review designs, and coordinate with suppliers.

Skills

Embedded C

Assembly

RTOS

AUTOSAR MCAL

ECU firmware

CAN protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Vector CANalyser

CANape

CANoe

Polarion

SVN

Job description

Mindshare Executive Search is a boutique nationwide search firm specializing in placing top talent across IoT, Data Science, Healthcare Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence. The firm works closely with organizations that are driving innovation and digital transformation, connecting them with highly skilled professionals who shape the future of technology-enabled industries.

The client here is a leading manufacturer of large scale, complex agriculture focused machinery. They will want someone to work onsite with their hardware and software teams in their West Chicago offices up to four days a week.

Role Description

We are currently seeking a Staff Firmware Software Engineer to join our Agricultural and construction Product Development organization. As a Staff Embedded Firmware Engineer, you will architect and develop new generation software core software solution for automotive grade real-time ECUs. Core software typically includes middle layer, lower layer embedded software (BSP drivers), RTOS, bootloader, cybersecurity stack for electronic control unit (ECU). Core software needs to meet stringent real time and performance requirements. The developed core software is integrated with application software.

• Architect and develop new generation core software solution catered for automotive grade real time ECUs.
• Design and develop firmware software, bootloader with security features for ECUs.
• Configure and Integrate AUTOSAR - MCAL based drivers with legacy middle layer modules.
• Benchmark and select suitable third-party software components, microcontrollers etc.
• Cybersecurity Software Design and development.
• Lead software development tasks with Software suppliers, integrate and accept supplier provided software modules.
• Coordinate with internal requirements teams and derive software requirements.
• Drive technical work for the technical team, conduct technical reviews.
• Troubleshoot and fix bugs reported by HIL, product validation team or application software team during verification and validation cycle.
• Develop and maintain software documentation: SDD, SRS, API documentation, product functional spec etc.
• Design and develop tools to automate software workflows and processes.
• Define software configuration management to ensure effective software management.
• Ensure that software adheres to coding standards and meet stringent performance and safety requirements of real time embedded system.
• Contribute to Functional Safety relevant software functions in accordance with ISO25119, ISO13849/ISO19014.
• Closely monitors project status and provides progress updates to direct manager, other stakeholders.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area. Follow established safety and ergonomic standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering (electrical or mechanical or software) is required. Ph.D. or M.S. degree in engineering preferred. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Embedded software development (Low level drivers/BSP and Middle layer services/BSW) in C and assembly language.
• Experience in building and technically leading firmware solution catered for ECUs (preferably for automotive grade ECUs).
• Experience with microcontrollers (16/32-bit automotive grade), compilers/linkers.
• Experience with Firmware debugging (call stack analysis, profiling, breakpoint evaluation, resource budget analysis as Flash, RAM, and CPU load).
• Experience with CAN based protocols such as J1939, XCP, KWP, UDS, communication tools Vector CANalyser, CANape, CANoe, INCA or similar.
• Experience working with memories (Flash, EEPROM, RAM, External memories), MMU etc.
• Experience working with real time operating system RTOS (Autosar OSEK or similar).
• Experience with software design and requirements documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience building technical talent and guide junior engineers.
• Knowledge of Autosar concepts and experience working with AUTOSAR based MCAL device driver configuration and integration.
• Knowledge of Functional Safety concepts and software implementation in accordance with ISO25119, ISO13849, ISO26262.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and implementations.
• Knowledge of configuration management tools such as SVN or similar, requirements tools (e.g., Polarion or similar).