Staff Embedded Application Software Engineer

National Society for Black Engineers; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 168,750 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and 401k with employer match

Discretionary paid time off

Paid parental leave

Medical, Dental, Vision plans

Fitness Programs

Emotional & Mental Wellness support

Learning & Development programs

Snacks in the office

Job summary

A technology company is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to lead critical software initiatives across connected device products in Seattle. The role involves defining software architectures and mentoring engineering teams, requiring 12+ years experience in software development with expertise in C/C++, Go, or Python. An understanding of networking protocols and a strong track record in performance optimization are essential. This position follows a hybrid work model with competitive compensation ranging from $168,750 to $270,000.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional software development experience.
• Deep expertise in embedded systems architecture.
• Proven track record of system-wide performance optimization.
• At least 7+ years mentoring senior engineers and leading projects.
• Advanced understanding of computer science fundamentals.
• Experience with network protocols and configurations.

Responsibilities

• Define and advance embedded software architectures for devices.
• Lead strategic planning for multi-month embedded engineering projects.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and executive teams.
• Establish standards for embedded software design and reliability.
• Evaluate and integrate open-source technologies.
• Provide executive-level guidance and mentorship to engineers.
• Continuously improve engineering practices.

Skills

C/C++

Go

Python

Embedded systems architecture

Mentoring

Networking protocols (TCP/IP, VPN)

Job description

Join Axon and be a Force for Good.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast‑paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well‑being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

Your Impact

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will lead critical software engineering initiatives and set the strategic technical direction across multiple embedded product lines, including body‑worn cameras, in‑car cameras, stationary cameras, drones, and emerging connected device solutions. Your role involves defining and significantly advancing embedded software architectures and ensuring system‑wide excellence in stability, scalability, security, and performance.

You will proactively identify technical opportunities and risks, guiding architectural decisions to future‑proof our products against complex operational environments. Your strategic oversight will involve collaboration with executives, directors, managers and cross‑functional teams, deeply influencing Axon’s broader software engineering organization. Your mentorship will uplift engineers across multiple teams, driving Axon’s mission‑critical standards and technical excellence.

What You’ll Do

Location: Seattle or Boston
Reports To: Sr Engineering Manager

• Define and significantly advance embedded software architectures for Axon’s current and future connected device products.
• Lead high‑level strategic planning and coordination for multi‑month embedded engineering projects across multiple product lines.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and executive leadership to deliver innovative, integrated, and mission‑critical solutions.
• Establish and enforce Axon‑wide standards for embedded software design, quality, reliability, and scalability.
• Evaluate and integrate leading‑edge open‑source technologies and industry standards, guiding architectural trade‑offs and long‑term strategic choices.
• Provide executive‑level guidance and mentorship, significantly enhancing the capabilities and technical decision‑making of the embedded software engineering teams.
• Continuously improve software engineering practices and drive excellence through strategic retrospectives, planning sessions, and innovation cycles.

What You Bring

• 12+ years of professional software development experience, with extensive expertise in C/C++, Go, Python, or comparable systems programming languages.
• Deep, demonstrated expertise in embedded systems architecture, firmware integration, and device‑level software engineering.
• Proven track record of addressing and resolving system‑wide challenges in performance, scalability, reliability, and security.
• At least 7+ years mentoring senior engineers and leading complex, strategic engineering projects across multiple teams.
• Advanced understanding of computer science fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, and high‑standard software design practices.
• Extensive experience with network protocols (TCP/IP, VPN, DNS, DHCP) and advanced networking configurations.

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary paid time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support
• Learning & Development programs
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

This role is based out of our Boston or Seattle office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in‑person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesdays through Fridays, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays, unless there is an approved workplace accommodation. We believe that connection fuels innovation, and our in‑office culture is designed to foster meaningful teamwork, mentorship, and shared success.

The Pay: Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The starting base pay for this role is between USD 168,750 in the lowest geographic market and USD 270,000 in the highest geographic market. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors.

Base Pay Range $168,750 — $270,000 USD

Important Notes

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

We collect personal information from applicants to evaluate candidates for employment. You may request access, deletion, or exercise other CCPA rights at [e-mail] or via our Axon Privacy Web Form. For more information, please see the Your California Privacy Rights section of our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email [e-mail]. Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.