Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA (100% on-site)

Duration: initial 9-month contract

Pay: $84-89/hr

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to develop and support software solutions for hardware bring-up and verification of a next-generation platform in the automotive or advanced embedded systems space. This role focuses on low-level software development, hardware-software integration, and system stabilization for production readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy low-level embedded software and Board Support Package (BSP) components for Linux-based systems.
• Support hardware bring-up and verification using complex schematics and datasheets.
• Lead debugging, triage, and stabilization of critical interfaces, including high-speed and low-speed protocols.
• Implement security strategies to support production-grade system builds.
• Develop and maintain hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) automation frameworks to ensure readiness for production milestones.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage complex multi-repository codebases and build systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex hardware-software integration issues with efficiency and urgency.
• Deliver high-quality, maintainable code in a fast-paced development environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong programming expertise in C/C++ for resource-constrained embedded systems.
• Extensive experience with Linux kernel development, including Device Tree (DTS) configuration and custom driver debugging.
• Hands-on experience debugging hardware interface protocols such as PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, and Ethernet.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, including experience with Pytest for hardware validation and automation frameworks.
• Deep understanding of Linux internals, including process scheduling, memory management, concurrency, and synchronization.
• Advanced expertise in Git, including complex rebasing, cherry-picking, and multi-repository patch management.
• Experience working with complex build systems and automated image generation (e.g., Yocto, Android, or custom build frameworks).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-performance SoCs and embedded platforms (e.g., automotive or AI-focused chipsets).
• Knowledge of multi-core and multi-threaded programming in ARM-based architectures.
• Familiarity with POSIX-based operating systems such as embedded Linux, Android, or QNX.
• Strong hardware debugging skills, including use of oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Understanding of virtualization, hypervisors, and secure boot or key management strategies.
• Experience with embedded toolchains, including compilers, linkers, and linker scripts.

Technical Skills Summary

Must Have

• C/C++ (embedded, performance-critical systems)
• Linux kernel development and driver debugging
• Interface protocol debugging (PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet)
• Python automation (Pytest, hardware interaction)
• Advanced Git (rebasing, patching, multi-repo workflows)

Nice to Have

• High-performance SoCs and embedded hardware platforms
• Yocto or Android build systems
• ARM architecture and multi-core systems
• Hardware debugging with lab equipment