Lead Embedded Systems Software Engineer

E-Space•Saratoga, CA

3d•$150,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

E-Space is seeking a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to own the full product lifecycle from requirements to tested firmware. This role involves translating product goals into system software architecture, writing production code, and leading a team of embedded engineers to deliver reliable, high-performance software. It is a player-coach position where you will code daily while also guiding the team, reviewing designs, and setting technical direction. You will report to the head of product engineering.

Requirements

7+ years of embedded software development experience in production systems.
Strong C/C++ skills in resource-constrained environments (bare-metal and RTOS).
Hands-on experience with Zephyr RTOS, including West build system and CMake.
Deep knowledge of at least one MCU family: STM32, Nordic nRF, or ESP32.
Experience integrating and characterizing inertial sensors (IMU, accelerometer, gyroscope).
Solid understanding of wireless protocols - BLE, Thread, and Wi-Fi - including their stack implementations.
Experience designing and implementing backend communications (MQTT, CoAP, HTTP/REST, or similar).
Strong skills in writing automated tests for embedded code: unit tests, mocking, HIL/SIL frameworks.
Proficiency with hardware debug tooling: JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
Solid Git workflow practices: branching strategy, code review process, and CI/CD integration.
Demonstrated ability to lead a technical team while remaining a hands-on contributor.
Clear communicator, able to explain complex technical decisions to non-specialist stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Rust in embedded contexts.
Familiarity with TinyML or edge ML frameworks (TFLite Micro, Edge Impulse, ONNX Runtime).
Background in aerospace, satellite, or other safety-critical systems.
Experience with model optimization techniques such as quantization and pruning.
Contributions to open-source embedded or RTOS projects.

Responsibilities

Translate product requirements into clear system-level software architecture.
Define software interfaces, data flows, and module boundaries across the embedded stack.
Make and own key technical decisions and document them clearly for the team.
Identify risks early and drive solutions before they become blockers.
Write, review, and maintain production firmware in C/C++ (and Rust where applicable).
Develop drivers, middleware, and application logic for sensor-rich embedded platforms.
Work with Zephyr RTOS across multiple MCU families (STM32, Nordic nRF, ESP32).
Use West and CMake to manage builds, module dependencies, and board configurations.
Debug firmware using JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
Integrate and validate sensors including IMUs, accelerometers, and gyroscopes.
Implement and optimize networking stacks - BLE, Thread, and Wi-Fi.
Design and maintain backend communication protocols for reliable edge-to-cloud data transfer.
Write automated unit and integration tests before or alongside feature code.
Build and maintain HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) and SIL (software-in-the-loop) test frameworks.
Set team standards for test coverage, static analysis, and CI/CD pipelines.
Perform code reviews with a focus on correctness, safety, and long-term maintainability.
Lead a small team of embedded engineers, setting clear goals and unblocking day-to-day work.
Mentor engineers through design reviews, pair programming, and direct feedback.
Collaborate with hardware, systems, and product teams to align on requirements.
Contribute to hiring, including interviewing candidates and defining the team's technical bar.