Senior Firmware Engineer - Embedded Systems

Placements24; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid annual leave

Training & conferences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer for its Randburg R&D team to design, develop, and optimize embedded firmware for cutting-edge devices. You will architect firmware solutions and work closely with hardware and software engineers to deliver robust systems.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years in embedded firmware, strong C/C++ skills, and hands-on RTOS experience. The role involves RTOS integration, protocol implementations, and driving quality across design and testing phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, CS or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of embedded firmware development experience.
• Proficiency in C and C++.
• Experience with RTOS and microcontroller architectures.
• Familiarity with wireless protocols is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and debug embedded firmware for microcontrollers.
• Implement RTOS and device drivers across platforms.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to align requirements.
• Document designs, tests, and user manuals.
• Optimize firmware for performance, power, and memory.
• Implement communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi).
• Participate in code reviews and mentor teammates.
• Troubleshoot firmware issues reported by QA or customers.
• Stay current with new firmware technologies.
• Contribute to architectural design of future projects.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded systems

RTOS knowledge

Debugging skills

Communication & teamwork

Education

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

Tools

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

Azure RTOS

JTAG

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the development of cutting-edge electronic devices and IoT solutions, is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to join their dedicated R&D team in Randburg, Gauteng . This role is integral to the design, development, and implementation of embedded firmware for a range of innovative products. You will be responsible for architecting firmware solutions, writing efficient and robust code, and collaborating closely with hardware engineers and software developers to bring complex systems to life. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of embedded systems, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and microcontroller architectures. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to next-generation technology within a dynamic and growth-oriented company based in Randburg .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and debug embedded firmware for microcontrollers and embedded systems using C/C++.
• Implement real-time operating systems (RTOS) and device drivers for various hardware platforms.
• Collaborate with hardware engineering teams to define system requirements and ensure successful integration of firmware and hardware.
• Develop and maintain firmware documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and user manuals.
• Optimize firmware for performance, power consumption, and memory footprint.
• Implement communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) for device connectivity.
• Participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve firmware-related issues reported by QA or customers.
• Stay current with emerging firmware development technologies and best practices.
• Contribute to the architectural design of future firmware projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in embedded firmware development.
• Proficiency in C and C++ programming languages is essential.
• Experience with real-time operating systems (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Azure RTOS) and embedded system architectures.
• Strong understanding of microcontroller peripherals and interfacing techniques.
• Experience with debugging tools (e.g., JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and agile development methodologies.
• Knowledge of wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, LoRa, MQTT) is a significant advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities for effective collaboration within our Randburg R&D department.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary with annual performance bonuses.
• Employees benefit from comprehensive medical aid, a robust retirement fund, and generous paid annual leave.
• The company is committed to employee growth, providing opportunities for advanced training, certification, and attending relevant industry conferences.
• You will work with state-of-the-art development tools and hardware, contributing to exciting and innovative projects.
• This role is situated in the commercial hub of Randburg , offering a vibrant work environment.