Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Brooks Automation; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid holidays

Flexible vacation

Job summary

Brooks Automation seeks a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to lead design, development, and integration of real-time embedded software for complex automation platforms. You will drive system architecture, mentor engineers, and collaborate with executives on technology roadmaps.

The role requires deep expertise in embedded systems, modern C++, RTOS, and hardware/software integration, with a track record of delivering scalable, reliable software for industrial robotics and automation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of embedded software for real-time systems.
• Proficiency in modern C++ and object-oriented design.
• Experience with embedded hardware interfaces and software architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of embedded software for automation platforms.
• Define software architecture for scalable product families.
• Mentor senior engineers and collaborate with executives.

Skills

Embedded systems

C++ (modern)

Real-time OS

Software architecture

Hardware integration

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in relevant field

Equivalent experience

Tools

CI/CD processes

ARM SoCs

Job description

• Industrial communication networks

Brooks is a leading provider of automation solutions with over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, offering precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions that empower chip manufacturers worldwide. Our product portfolio includes a range of automation solutions, including robots, vacuum systems, and atmospheric robots for semiconductor manufacturing (www.brooks.com).

Are you looking for a place where you can be part of a transformation? Join us at Brooks Automation and be a part of a dynamic organization that is shaping the future of technology.

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: Performs design, development, testing, documentation, and analysis of software applications for company products. Assignments include development of new programs and subprograms, as well as enhancements, modifications, and corrections to existing software/software systems. Duties include designing application, writing code, completing programming, developing and executing testing and debugging routines, and documenting work and results. May be responsible for developing or executing project plans, budgets, and schedules and for documentation of work and results. May function as a project engineer/leader with the resident responsibilities of proposals/project plan, schedules, work assignments, prime contact, technical presentations, cross functional issue resolution, etc. Is expected to keep up to date on technical advances in the discipline and related fields. Note: job levels E3 through E5 may include a software architect role. SENIOR PRINCIPAL LEVEL: Assumes the highest level of complex and/or critical assignments under the business or technical function. Project leadership for system/company wide projects requiring cross organizational teams. Plans/manages integration and implementation of new technologies. Works toward predetermined long range goals. Recognized as the internal authority/highest level of expertise in the discipline and related fields, and is sought after as such. Applies advanced concepts and contributes to advancing company products and processes to achieve organizational objectives in a creative and effective manner. May not be found in non-technical areas. Is assigned to the highest level of unique and complex problems due to the extensive knowledge of advanced principles and techniques. Has significant latitude in the choice of methods, procedures and evaluation criteria to resolve technical and business issues along with implementation of recommendations. Role is typically the principal spokesperson for the organization, project, or program. Interacts with Executive Company and Customer Management. Erroneous decisions would normally result in a failure to reach goals crucial to organizational objectives. Bachelor’s degree with 10-12+ year’s experience, or Masters with 6+ years, or its equivalent.

Position Summary

The Staff Embedded Software Engineer is recognized as a technical authority within the organization and provides leadership for the most complex and strategically significant software initiatives. This individual drives system architecture, technology strategy, and cross-functional execution for next-generation automation, robotics, and embedded control platforms.

The role requires deep expertise in embedded software development, real-time systems, controls, and complex hardware/software integration. The Staff Engineer serves as a principal technical leader, influencing product direction, mentoring engineering teams, and collaborating directly with executive leadership, customers, and cross-functional organizations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for solving highly complex technical challenges, defining long-term technology roadmaps, and leading the adoption of innovative technologies that enhance product performance, reliability, scalability, and customer value.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a recognized technical authority in embedded systems, robotics, motion control, or related engineering disciplines.
• Define and drive software architecture for complex, system-wide product platforms.
• Lead cross-functional engineering initiatives involving software, firmware, controls, electronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Establish technical direction, architectural standards, and development best practices across multiple programs and product families.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and lead their integration into company products and development processes.
• Drive technical strategy aligned with long-term business objectives and product roadmaps.

System Architecture & Product Development

• Architect and develop large-scale embedded software systems spanning application software, middleware, BSPs, device drivers, communications, and hardware interfaces.
• Lead design and implementation of distributed control systems, robotic platforms, and real-time automation solutions.
• Define software frameworks that enable scalability, maintainability, diagnosability, and long-term product evolution.
• Review and approve critical architectural decisions affecting product reliability, performance, safety, and serviceability.
• Lead technology assessments and proof-of-concept efforts for future product platforms.

Complex Problem Solving

• Assume ownership of the most challenging technical issues impacting product development, field deployments, and customer escalations.
• Lead root-cause investigations involving software, firmware, hardware, controls, networking, and electromechanical systems.
• Develop innovative solutions to unique and previously unsolved engineering challenges.
• Drive resolution of critical customer and business issues that have significant organizational impact.

Organizational Influence

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to senior and principal engineers.
• Lead design reviews, technical reviews, and architecture governance activities.
• Influence engineering processes, development methodologies, testing strategies, and product quality initiatives.
• Serve as a primary technical spokesperson with executive leadership, strategic customers, partners, and suppliers.
• Build alignment across organizations to drive successful execution of company-wide initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Embedded Systems Architecture

• 10+ years of experience developing embedded software for complex real-time systems.
• Expert proficiency in modern C++ (C++11/14/17/20) and object-oriented software design.
• Demonstrated experience architecting large-scale embedded software platforms.
• Strong expertise in software architecture, design patterns, scalability, maintainability, and fault diagnosis.
• Experience developing software spanning applications, middleware, BSPs, device drivers, and hardware abstraction layers.

Real-Time Operating Systems

• Deep expertise with QNX, Real-Time Linux, Embedded Linux, or equivalent RTOS environments.
• Advanced knowledge of:
• Multithreaded and concurrent software design
• Real-time scheduling
• Memory management
• Interrupt handling
• DMA architectures
• Interprocess communication
• Performance optimization

Hardware / Software Integration

• Significant experience integrating software with:
• ARM-based SoCs
• Industrial communication networks
• Sensors and vision systems
• Motion controllers and drives
• Robotics systems
• FPGA-based solutions
• Experience with board bring-up, BSP customization, bootloader development, and low-level hardware debugging.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex system-level failures across software, electronics, networking, and mechanical domains.

Software Engineering Excellence

• Proven success leading large engineering efforts within Agile development environments.
• Experience establishing:
• Software architectures
• Coding standards
• CI/CD processes
• Automated testing frameworks
• Release management strategies
• Strong understanding of software quality, reliability engineering, observability, and diagnosability.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and elevate organizational technical capability.

Technical Specialization

Motion Control Systems

Key Skills

• Servo control architecture
• Current, velocity, and position loop design
• Feedforward control techniques
• Motion profile generation
• Control theory and dynamic system modeling
• System tuning and performance optimization
• Vibration reduction and precision motion techniques

Expected Contribution

Lead development of next-generation motion control architectures delivering improvements in throughput, accuracy, repeatability, and reliability.

Robotics and Automation Systems

Key Skills

• Robot kinematics and inverse kinematics
• Robot dynamics and rigid body modeling
• Trajectory planning and optimization
• Multi-axis coordination
• Motion planning algorithms
• Calibration and compensation techniques
• Industrial robotics architectures

Expected Contribution

Define robotic software architectures and optimize system performance, cycle time, precision, and robustness.

BSP / RTOS / Embedded Platform Architecture

Key Skills

• BSP development and customization
• Device driver architecture
• Board bring-up
• Bootloader design
• ARM SoC architecture
• Performance optimization
• Low-latency system design
• Hardware abstraction layers

Expected Contribution

Own foundational controller software architecture and drive platform evolution across multiple product generations.

Distributed Controls / Industrial Networking

Key Skills

• EtherCAT and distributed control systems
• Fieldbus technologies
• Deterministic communication architectures
• Synchronization and real-time networking
• Motion-over-network systems
• Functional safety integration

Expected Contribution

Lead development of high-performance distributed automation and control architectures.

Industrial Diagnostics, Analytics, and AI

Key Skills

• Telemetry system design
• Predictive maintenance architectures
• Fleet-wide diagnostics
• Time-series analytics
• Edge intelligence
• Machine learning applications for industrial systems
• Reliability and statistical analysis

Expected Contribution

Drive next-generation intelligent service, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance capabilities.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience leading large, cross-organizational engineering initiatives.
• Experience interacting directly with executive leadership and strategic customers.
• Proven success translating business objectives into technical roadmaps and architectural decisions.
• Strong customer-facing skills with the ability to lead technical discussions during critical escalations and product strategy engagements.
• Demonstrated record of influencing engineering organizations through technical leadership rather than direct authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field with 12+ years of relevant experience; or
• Master's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Controls, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience developing semiconductor automation, robotics, precision motion, or industrial automation products.
• Experience serving as a technical lead or architect for multiple successful commercial product releases.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: $138,764.29 USD to $187,739.92 USD

Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits

At Brooks, we offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Exempt employees are provided company paid holidays and Flexible Vacation to enjoy personal time off and incidental sickness.

Have a question about our benefits and compensation package? Your recruiter can share more with you during the hiring process.

Work Location & Flexibility

At Brooks, we aim to foster a collaborative and engaging environment while offering flexibility where possible. Work arrangements may include a mix of in-office and remote work, depending on the nature of the role and business needs. Specific expectations will be shared during the interview process.

Brooks is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and proudly serves as an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Diversity enhances our innovative capabilities and strengthens our ability to serve our customers and communities effectively. At Brooks Automation, we celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives each individual brings, believing they are essential to our collective success. Join us in building a workplace where every team member is valued and can thrive.

For applicants with disabilities requiring accommodations, don't hesitate to get in touch with [e-mail] or call [phone] to discuss your needs.

Review EEO Law & EEO Statement.

Brooks Automation participates in E-Verify to confirm eligibility for employment in the United States. For more details, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.