Embedded Systems Engineer - Controls

OTTO Engineering•Carpentersville, IL

About The Position

The Embedded Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and supporting embedded electronic systems used in OTTO products. The role calls for hands-on expertise in embedded firmware, board-level electronics, and CAN-based communications, particularly SAE J1939 and CANopen. The engineer will contribute to new product development, prototype and proof-of-concept work, customer support, and complex troubleshooting across hardware, firmware, and CAN networks. The position also serves as a technical resource for transferring existing embedded and CAN knowledge into OTTO’s future technology organization. Work spans product concept and prototyping through validation and production release, as well as customer and partner coordination, technical documentation, and mentoring less-experienced engineers as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline.
5–10 years of embedded systems engineering experience with demonstrated senior-level technical responsibility.
Strong hands-on embedded C and C++ development experience.
Extensive hands-on CAN experience.
Ability to troubleshoot CAN networks using protocol analyzers, bus traces, diagnostic tools, and embedded debuggers.
Strong understanding of embedded electronics and hardware/software integration, including the ability to read and review schematics.
Experience with PCB/PCBA development, microcontrollers/processors, and hardware debugging.
Experience developing embedded products from architecture through production release.
Strong system-level troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Practical experience with SAE J1939 and CANopen; the posting describes this as required or strongly preferred.
Experience supporting rugged, industrial, off-highway, military, transportation, or other harsh-environment products.
Experience working with external software or engineering development partners.
Experience developing prototypes, proof-of-concept systems, or early-stage technology demonstrations.

Responsibilities

Design and develop embedded electronic and firmware systems for new and existing products.
Develop embedded firmware primarily in C and C++.
Design, implement, and troubleshoot CAN communications, including SAE J1939 and CANopen.
Analyze CAN traffic, message timing, network behavior, and customer integration issues using CAN diagnostic tools.
Develop and support board-level electronics, including schematics, PCB/PCBA design, processor selection, and prototyping.
Debug complex issues across hardware, firmware, communications, and customer systems.
Support new product development from concept and prototype through validation and production release.
Develop proof-of-concept systems and technology demonstrations for future products, customers, and trade shows.
Serve as a technical resource for customer CAN issues and coordinate with external software development partners when required.
Document system architecture, CAN implementation details, design decisions, and troubleshooting methods.
Mentor less-experienced engineers as needed.
Assist with other related duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

Profit sharing distributed twice a year at the company’s discretion; it is not guaranteed.
80 hours of vacation, earned on the employee’s anniversary date.
Medical insurance options, including HMO, Standard PPO, Enhanced PPO, and High Deductible PPO plans.
FSA, LFSA, and HSA options.
Dental insurance with Base and Buy-Up plans.
Vision insurance.
401(k) with company match.
Life and AD&D insurance, voluntary life and AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
10 paid holidays.
Company picnic, holiday party, and other company celebrations.