Lead Embedded Systems Engineer - IoT Devices

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote‑first

Competitive salary

Health & wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Professional development

Cutting‑edge tools

Work‑life balance

Job summary

Placements24 client seeks a Lead Embedded Systems Engineer to architect and develop firmware for IoT devices. You will lead a distributed team, define technical direction, and ensure robust, secure solutions from concept to production.

The role emphasizes deep hardware interfacing, RTOS selection, wireless protocols (MQTT, CoAP, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, LoRaWAN), and collaboration with hardware engineers. Remote, senior leadership, and a strong problem‑solving mindset are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of embedded systems development experience, IoT focus.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams and projects.
• Expertise in C/C++ programming for embedded systems.
• Deep knowledge of microcontrollers, memory architectures, and hardware interfaces.
• Experience with RTOS such as FreeRTOS or Zephyr.
• Strong understanding of wireless IoT protocols.
• Familiarity with embedded debugging tools, Git, and agile methods.
• Excellent remote collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of embedded firmware for IoT devices, focusing on performance, power efficiency, and reliability.
• Architect and implement robust software solutions using C/C++ for various microcontrollers (e.g., ARM Cortex-M, ESP32).
• Select and integrate appropriate RTOS for complex embedded applications.
• Develop and implement communication protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, and LoRaWAN.
• Design and implement driver software for various peripherals and sensors.
• Conduct code reviews, debugging, and unit testing to ensure quality and stability.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define requirements and resolve integration issues.
• Manage firmware releases, version control, and documentation.
• Mentor and guide junior embedded engineers, fostering growth and best practices.
• Contribute to system architecture and IoT product roadmap.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

IoT systems design

Leadership & mentoring

Remote collaboration

System architecture

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

MQTT/CoAP/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/LoRaWAN

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a trailblazer in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, seeking a highly experienced Lead Embedded Systems Engineer to join their dynamic, fully remote team. This pivotal role involves architecting, designing, and developing firmware and software for a range of intelligent IoT devices, from conception to production. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of microcontrollers, real-time operating systems (RTOS), communication protocols, and low-level hardware interaction. You will lead a talented team of engineers, drive technical direction, and ensure the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure embedded solutions. This remote-first position requires strong leadership, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to foster collaboration within a geographically dispersed team. You will play a key role in shaping the future of connected devices from the convenience of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of embedded firmware for IoT devices, focusing on performance, power efficiency, and reliability.
• Architect and implement robust software solutions using C/C++ for various microcontrollers (e.g., ARM Cortex-M, ESP32).
• Select and integrate appropriate RTOS for complex embedded applications.
• Develop and implement communication protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRaWAN.
• Design and implement driver software for various peripherals and sensors.
• Conduct thorough code reviews, debugging, and unit testing to ensure software quality and stability.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define requirements and resolve integration issues.
• Manage firmware releases, version control, and documentation.
• Mentor and guide junior embedded systems engineers, fostering technical growth and best practices.
• Contribute to the overall system architecture and technology roadmap for IoT products.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in embedded systems development, with a strong focus on IoT devices.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams and projects.
• Expertise in C/C++ programming for embedded systems.
• In-depth knowledge of microcontrollers, memory architectures, and low-level hardware interfaces.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar.
• Strong understanding of wireless communication protocols relevant to IoT.
• Familiarity with embedded debugging tools and techniques.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and agile development methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, essential for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a generous retirement savings plan.
• Significant investment in professional development, including advanced training and certifications, is standard.
• You will be at the forefront of IoT innovation, working on exciting products that connect the world.
• Access to cutting-edge development tools and resources is provided.
• Join a forward-thinking company that values technical excellence, innovation, and a strong work-life balance within a supportive remote team structure.