Head of Firmware Engineering (Senior Director)

Brambles•Santa Clara, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Brambles Digital is enabling the Brambles of the Future by using data and insights to power smarter, more sustainable supply chains. A key part of this strategy is the development of the tracking device platforms that will enable these data and insights to be collected – and the Firmware team is at the heart of this transformation. You'll lead the team that has end to end responsibility to architect, design, build and test embedded firmware systems for IoT tracking device platforms. In this role, you will lead and manage the definition of architecture and implementation of designs in both prototype and shipping products as well as demonstrate good development practices and seamless collaboration across multiple teams in Digital and beyond. Engineering for Brambles device systems spans deep collaboration across engineering disciplines (Hardware design, Test, Architects, Technical Project Management, and Cloud software teams). Our engineers drive concepts into prototypes and prototypes to products. You'll not only has a strategic vision and execution side facing internal to brambles projects but also is a strong voice of the customer. We expect this leader to represent Customer configuration, firmware modifications, feature development and work closely with Customer Success leadership to ensure we have a customer first approach and our solutions delight our customers. This will include setting up custom configuration database, define modification levers, if needed create a software UI/UX for customer working with closely with customer facing teams. This could also include some customer visits, representing brambles at customer sites and translating business requirements into features for internal development to deliver. This makes it a very multi-dimensional role which needs that strong seasoned voice and experience gathered over delivering multiple projects over the years. You'll also have the responsibility for building and strengthening the Brambles firmware engineering team and its capabilities, in collaboration with HR and firmware engineering leadership.

Requirements

Experience with embedded software design and programming in C/C++ for development, debugging, testing and performance analysis
10-15+ years of experience in embedded software development
Deep people leadership coverage, with demonstrable experience of delivering results through others
Experience working with embedded/IoT firmware platforms with FreeRTOS or Zephyr or similar OS.
Experience building software for embedded/IoT systems or custom SoCs
Experience leading complex features or projects across multiple teams
Proven track record in managing engineering teams and external contractors
Knowledge of communication protocols: I2C, SPI, USART, I2S, PCM.
Experience with sensors, accelerometers, gyro, GPS, humidity, temperature
B.S. degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

Experience with Wi-Fi, BLE, and Cellular IoT solutions is a plus.
Experience with lab instrumentation for power, performance tuning, SDKs, analysers for debugging IOT systems
Experience delivering electronics devices in Consumer, IoT, Embedded markets
Demonstrated expertise in one or several of the following areas - communication protocols (TCP/IP, Bluetooth, Wifi), computer vision, sensors, cellular

Responsibilities

Lead the end‑to‑end firmware engineering function, setting technical direction, standards, and ways of working across embedded platforms.
Define and govern firmware architecture and design decisions to ensure performance, reliability, security, and scalability of products.
Translate system and customer requirements into clear technical specifications and executable delivery plans.
Partner with hardware, cloud, security, product, and architecture teams to deliver integrated, end‑to‑end device solutions.
Oversee development, testing, and release of firmware for both new products and live deployments, ensuring high quality and operational stability.
Act as the voice of the customer for firmware configuration, feature evolution, and defect resolution, shaping roadmaps accordingly.
Build, lead, and develop a strong engineering organisation, creating clear growth paths and a sustainable leadership pipeline.
Establish and continuously improve engineering practices, including development methodology, quality assurance, and technical governance.
Leadership of technical team for Firmware Engineering, setting the multi-year vision and strategic direction for the team as it relates to the broader Brambles ambition and, in particular, Digital Customer Solutions
Translate system requirements into design specifications.
Develop firmware applications within constraints of small, low-power systems operating in a challenging environment
Lead the development and tracking of detailed specifications, project plans, resource assignments and schedules working with engineering, product management, and executive leaders in order to meet Brambles’ digital goals and targets.
Provide strategic vision and execution oversight for firmware features and debug for existing products in markets while also developing new products.
Be a strong voice of customer for customer features, configuration changes and debugs working with Customer support teams.
Co-Lead along with Hardware Design leaders and architects on selection of silicon vendors SDKs, IT, Cloud, Security, Cyber stakeholders.
Develop tracking and sensor telemetry applications for real-time Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) or Cellular IoT networks
Develop, coordinate and implement improvements in software development methodology and leading practices including requirements definition, specification development, and unit test strategies.
Define and oversee technical reviews for design and implementation for deployment and support processes.
Lead, develop and motivate a highly technical team to deliver exceptional firmware products, working across multiple teams to enable collaboration and delivery to tight deadlines
Develop strong leadership pipeline by developing and promoting architects within the team which puts brambles in a strong position for years to come.
Lead the design and development of embedded software engineering activities and provide technical leadership and guidance to team members
Play a critical role in the definition and execution of long-term roadmaps in partnership with architects, hardware designers, SW team
Analyze, design, develop, and debug firmware for a wide variety of tracking devices, including GPS, Cellular, wifi/ble
Be a go-to person to escalate the most complex development, performance and evaluation issues that require in-depth knowledge of product-focused firmware development