This role is restricted to US persons (i.e., US citizens, permanent residents, and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export-controlled technology. Boston Engineering will require proof of status prior to employment.
See the Kind of Work You'll Be Part Of
See how Boston Engineering helps clients turn complex ideas into real-world products and technologies.
▶️ WATCH: Boston Engineering – Product Development Services
Job Description:
This is a Principal Firmware Engineer role. While the title includes "software," the work is primarily embedded and firmware-focused: RTOS-based systems, hardware bring-up, driver development, board-level debugging, and close collaboration with electrical and mechanical teams.
This is not a role where you'll simply provide technical direction from the sidelines. You'll be designing, coding, debugging, integrating, and solving difficult problems alongside the engineering team.
The Principal Firmware Engineer owns embedded software at both the tactical and strategic levels, ensuring systems are architected correctly, risks are identified early, and the broader team is unblocked when challenges arise. This role sets technical direction, improves and documents software processes, establishes best practices, and mentor's engineers.
How You'll Spend Your Time
40% — Hands-on firmware development and debugging
30% — Systems Design
15% — Integration, manufacturing and production support
15% — Mentoring, code/design reviews, and process improvement
See the Technology in Action
Take a look at how Boston Engineering applies engineering expertise to the development of BIOSwimmer, an autonomous underwater robotic fish.
▶️ WATCH: How Reverse Engineering Propels BIOSwimmer – The Robotic Fish
What You'll Do
Lead the design, development, and optimization of embedded and firmware systems
Write and review RTOS-based firmware using FreeRTOS, ROS2, Zephyr, or similar
Architect firmware integrated with custom hardware, sensors, and control systems
Develop firmware, device drivers, and communication stacks
Review schematics and PCB layouts to identify firmware impacts and integration risks
Debug complex software, firmware, and hardware issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and other bench tools
Build and maintain benchtop development setups ("roadkills") for early firmware development
Lead technical design reviews, architecture discussions, and roadmap planning
Act as the technical escalation point when embedded or system-level issues block progress
Mentor engineers on firmware architecture, debugging, and best practices
Break down ambiguous problems into executable engineering plans
Support development workflows, integration, manufacturing, and transition to production
Communicate technical concepts, tradeoffs, risks, and status to engineering and non-engineering stakeholders
Requirements and Preferences
7+ years of embedded/firmware development experience, including 3+ years in a senior or technical lead role
BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; MS preferred
Strong C and C++ experience for embedded systems and Python for tooling/testing
Hands-on RTOS experience such as FreeRTOS, ROS2, Zephyr, or similar
Experience with STM32, ARM-based MCUs/SoCs, x86, PIC32, or similar
Experience with I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, GPIO, and other low-level interfaces
Experience with Git, embedded development tools, build systems, and debugging environments
Experience authoring and reviewing software requirements, specifications, and design documentation
Experience leading technical and design reviews
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Highly Desirable
Experience with maritime systems, robotics, uncrewed systems, or military platforms
Experience with navigation, localization, sensor fusion, or autonomy systems
Experience debugging networking stacks and board-level communication issues
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, ISO 9001, or CMMI quality frameworks
Experience working in customer-driven R&D and product development environments
Bonus Attributes
Proposal development, feasibility studies, or early-stage technical concepts
AI, machine learning, or computer vision applied to embedded or robotic systems
Safety-critical or mission-critical software development
Government or defense-related programs
Agile, DevOps, or quality management systems
Employment Type: Full-Time Role
Reports to: Director, Software Engineering
Location: Office-based role in Waltham, Massachusetts
Relocation: Not available at this time.
Travel: Minimal
Salary Range: The base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The final offer amount will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s education, knowledge, experience, and skills. A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) match, and paid time off, is also provided.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Questions?
Please contact Christine Higgins, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Boston Engineering
email: chiggins-ctr@boston-engineering.com LinkedIn: Christine Higgins | LinkedIn