Technical Lead Engineer

Whirlpool, Inc.; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Whirlpool employee discount

Fitness & educational reimbursement

Kitchenettes

Job summary

Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, MI is seeking an experienced Full Stack Embedded Technical Lead Engineer to guide the design, development, and delivery of embedded systems across the full stack—from firmware to system integration and testing. You will blend hands-on engineering with team leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to align technical work with business goals.

The role requires deep expertise in C/C++, embedded OS, and cloud-enabled architectures, with strong

Qualifications

• Strong background in embedded systems architecture and firmware development.
• Experience with microcontrollers/microprocessors and embedded hardware platforms.
• Solid understanding of embedded operating systems (e.g., RTOS, embedded Linux, Android/AOSP, Zephyr).
• Experience with low-level programming, device drivers, middleware, and hardware/software integration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for full-stack embedded software development, from low-level firmware through operating-system services and application-level software.
• Define software architecture, technical solutions, interfaces, and design approaches for complex embedded systems.
• Lead technical discussions, design reviews, code reviews, and architecture decisions.
• Own technical decision-making across hardware/software boundaries, ensuring robust, scalable, and maintainable solutions.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and gaps, and drive them to resolution.
• Drive best practices in coding standards, testing, and documentation.
• Design and develop embedded software and firmware using C and C++.
• Work with embedded operating systems such as Linux, RTOS, Android/AOSP, or similar platforms.
• Develop across multiple layers, including device drivers and hardware interfaces, firmware and middleware, OS services, application-level software, and communication/connectivity interfaces.
• Analyze system performance, reliability, memory usage, CPU utilization, and other embedded-system constraints.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system-level issues across firmware, OS, and application layers.
• Champion automation of build, test, and deployment pipelines to improve engineering efficiency.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

Linux

RTOS

Android/AOSP

Zephyr

Team leadership

Mentoring

AWS (cloud)

Python

Tools

AWS

Job description

About Whirlpool CorporationWhirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constantpursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchenand laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolvingneeds of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid,JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reportedapproximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas -41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additionalinformation about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

The team you will be a part of

The Software Engineering team designs, develops or coordinates development/troubleshooting or debugging of moderately complex software programs for enhancements and new products. Performs high-level design/modeling to convert stakeholder needs into software solutions. Develops software and tools in support of design, infrastructure and technology platforms. Determines hardware compatibility and/or influences hardware design. Develops the architectural guidelines, specifications, and technical standards and communicates to stakeholders.

This role in summary

We are looking for an experienced Full Stack Embedded Technical Lead Engineer to guide the design, development, and delivery of embedded systems across the full technology stack — from low-level firmware to system integration and testing. This role blends deep hands‑on technical expertise with team leadership, mentoring, and cross‑functional collaboration. The ideal candidate is a strong engineer first, and a natural leader who can guide a team through complex technical challenges while keeping projects aligned with business goals.

Your responsibilities will include

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for full-stack embedded software development, from low-level firmware through operating-system services and application-level software.
• Define software architecture, technical solutions, interfaces, and design approaches for complex embedded systems.
• Lead technical discussions, design reviews, code reviews, and architecture decisions.
• Own technical decision-making across hardware/software boundaries, ensuring robust, scalable, and maintainable solutions.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and gaps, and drive them to resolution.
• Drive best practices in coding standards, testing, and documentation.

Embedded Software Development

• Design and develop embedded software and firmware using C and C++.
• Work with embedded operating systems such as Linux, RTOS, Android/AOSP, or similar platforms.
• Develop across multiple layers, including device drivers and hardware interfaces, firmware and middleware, OS services, application-level software, and communication/connectivity interfaces.
• Analyze system performance, reliability, memory usage, CPU utilization, and other embedded-system constraints.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system-level issues across firmware, OS, and application layers.
• Champion automation of build, test, and deployment pipelines to improve engineering efficiency.

Cloud & Connected Systems (Preferred)

• Understand how embedded products interact with cloud infrastructure and connected services, with working knowledge of AWS preferred.
• Understand device-to-cloud communication, APIs, telemetry, OTA software updates, and connected-product architecture.
• Collaborate with cloud, mobile, data, and cybersecurity teams where embedded and cloud systems intersect.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical direction and hands‑on guidance to a team of embedded and full stack engineers.
• Mentor and coach engineers, supporting their technical growth and career development.
• Work closely with hardware, electrical, systems, controls, test, product, and QA teams to integrate software with the overall product and translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Participate in and help shape agile ceremonies (sprint planning, stand‑ups, retrospectives) to keep the team productive and on track.
• Communicate technical risks, trade‑offs, and progress clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Evaluate new tools, technologies, and processes to keep the team's practices current and competitive.

Minimum requirements

Embedded Systems & Firmware

• Strong background in embedded systems architecture and firmware development
• Experience working with microcontrollers/microprocessors and embedded hardware platforms
• Solid understanding of embedded operating systems (e.g., RTOS, embedded Linux, Android/AOSP, Zephyr)
• Experience with low-level programming, device drivers, middleware, and hardware/software integration

Programming

• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++
• Working knowledge of Python for scripting, automation, and tooling (preferred)

Testing & Quality

• Hands‑on experience with unit testing, integration testing, and module/system-level testing
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills across hardware and software layers
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks and continuous testing practices

Preferred skills and experiences

• Exposure to cloud infrastructure, particularly AWS (e.g., IoT services, device connectivity, data pipelines)
• Understanding of DevOps/CI-CD practices as applied to embedded development
• Basic knowledge of AI/ ML, Gen AI software development productivity tools

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, Barista Bar, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time‑off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility \- You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside‑of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere \- Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical \- Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.

Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation

See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.