Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development

Advanced development and testing設備

Hybrid work model

Stock options

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a seasoned Principal Embedded Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end design of high-performance, low-power embedded systems for IoT and smart devices. You will drive architecture, MCU selection, firmware in C/C++, and system integration.

The role requires a Master's or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering, 10+ years in embedded design, and RTOS expertise (FreeRTOS/Zephyr) with ARM Cortex-M and ESP32. Hybrid work and mentorship of engineers are key.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering.
• 10+ years in embedded systems design and development.
• Expertise in C/C++, assembly for embedded targets.
• Experience with ARM Cortex-M/ESP32 and toolchains.
• Proficiency with RTOS (FreeRTOS or Zephyr).
• Strong knowledge of digital/analog circuit design and debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of embedded systems from hardware selection to firmware implementation.
• Develop, test, and debug embedded firmware using C/C++ and relevant toolchains.
• Design and implement low-level drivers, RTOS components, and communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
• Perform hardware bring-up, debugging, and system integration tasks.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define specifications and review schematics.
• Optimize embedded systems for performance, power consumption, and memory usage.
• Conduct thorough system testing, validation, and create comprehensive documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex projects.

Skills

Embedded systems design

C/C++ programming

System architecture

Mentoring/leadership

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

ARM Cortex-M

ESP32

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

JTAG/logic analyzers/oscilloscopes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in IoT and smart devices, is seeking a highly experienced Principal Embedded Systems Engineer to join their innovative team in Pretoria, Gauteng. This senior role will involve leading the design and development of complex embedded systems from concept to production, focusing on high-performance, low-power applications. You will be responsible for architecting system solutions, selecting appropriate microcontrollers and peripherals, developing firmware, and ensuring robust system integration. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of embedded software development, hardware-software interaction, and real-time operating systems. Working within a hybrid model, you will collaborate with a talented group of engineers and researchers in Pretoria to push the boundaries of embedded technology. Our client is dedicated to creating next-generation products that redefine user experience and efficiency in the connected world.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of embedded systems, from hardware selection to firmware implementation.
• Develop, test, and debug embedded firmware using C/C++ and relevant toolchains.
• Design and implement low-level drivers, RTOS components, and communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
• Perform hardware bring-up, debugging, and system integration tasks.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define specifications and review schematics.
• Optimize embedded systems for performance, power consumption, and memory usage.
• Conduct thorough system testing, validation, and create comprehensive documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex projects.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded systems design and development.
• Expertise in embedded C/C++ programming and assembly language.
• Strong experience with microcontrollers (e.g., ARM Cortex-M, ESP32) and associated development tools.
• Proficiency with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS or Zephyr.
• Experience with common embedded communication protocols and debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes).
• Solid understanding of digital and analog circuit design principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous opportunities for professional development, conferences, and further education.
• Access to state-of-the- art development and testing equipment.
• A dynamic and forward-thinking company culture.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Stock options and performance-based bonuses.