Lead Embedded Software Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health benefits

Generous PTO

Home office setup allowance

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to architect, develop, and guide embedded systems for cutting-edge hardware. This remote-first role emphasizes collaboration across distributed teams, mentoring engineers, and delivering robust firmware.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of embedded experience, strong C/C++, RTOS (FreeRTOS/Zephyr/VxWorks), hardware debugging tools, and proficiency with Git. Remote work-friendly culture and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS, EE, or related field.
• 8+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Proven experience leading embedded software teams.
• Strong C and C++ for embedded systems.
• Deep RTOS knowledge (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or VxWorks).
• Experience with hardware debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Familiarity with SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB.
• Excellent problem-solving and collaboration for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement embedded software for multiple hardware platforms.
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers; provide technical guidance.
• Develop firmware, drivers, and RTOS software.
• Collaborate with hardware, product, and QA across lifecycle.
• Define coding standards and review third-party components.

Skills

C/C++ embedded

RTOS knowledge

Team leadership

Remote collaboration

Git version control

Embedded Linux

Hardware debugging

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/EE

Tools

JTAG

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative technology company at the forefront of IoT solutions, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Embedded Software Engineer to join their fully remote team. This is a critical role responsible for architecting, developing, and leading the implementation of embedded software for cutting-edge hardware products. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS), low-level hardware interaction, and firmware development best practices. As a remote-first organization, our client emphasizes collaboration, autonomy, and effective communication across distributed teams. The Lead Embedded Software Engineer will guide a team of talented engineers, drive technical strategy, and ensure the delivery of robust, scalable, and high-performance embedded systems. We are looking for a candidate with exceptional problem-solving skills, a passion for innovation, and a proven ability to mentor and inspire technical teams. This position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, coupled with the opportunity to shape the future of embedded technology within a forward-thinking company committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement embedded software solutions for various hardware platforms.
• Lead and mentor a team of embedded software engineers, providing technical guidance and oversight.
• Develop and maintain firmware, drivers, and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers, product managers, and QA teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Optimize embedded software for performance, memory usage, and power efficiency.
• Develop and execute comprehensive unit and integration tests for embedded software components.
• Debug complex hardware and software issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Define and enforce coding standards, development processes, and best practices for the embedded team.
• Evaluate and integrate third-party software components and libraries.
• Contribute to strategic technology decisions and roadmap planning for embedded systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in embedded software development.
• Proven experience leading embedded software engineering teams.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems development.
• In-depth knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS), such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or VxWorks.
• Experience with hardware debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes).
• Familiarity with communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB).
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Understanding of embedded Linux and device drivers is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and impactful projects with a talented, global team.