Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer (Contractor)

Arlo•Carlsbad, CA

About The Position

Arlo is seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to develop next-generation IoT and video streaming products. The role designs, implements, and optimizes embedded firmware for connected devices, working with hardware, cloud, mobile, QA, and manufacturing teams to deliver high-quality products. The successful candidate will independently own complex firmware features from design through production and bring strong experience in embedded systems, video streaming technologies, and real-time software development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
7+ years of experience in embedded firmware development, preferably with IoT, networking, or video streaming products.
Strong programming skills in Embedded C and C++.
Experience developing software on RTOS and Embedded Linux platforms.
Solid understanding of real-time multimedia applications, including video/audio processing, compression, and streaming technologies such as H.264/H.265.
Experience with multithreaded and multitasking embedded software development.
Experience developing and debugging embedded device drivers.
Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills in embedded systems.
Experience optimizing embedded software for performance and resource utilization.
Working knowledge of networking protocols, including TCP, UDP, HTTP/HTTPS, RTP, RTSP, SIP, and WebRTC.
Experience with wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, BLE, and LTE.
Familiarity with IoT communication architectures and cloud-connected devices.
Hands-on experience using hardware debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
Experience using source control systems such as Git.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Experience developing firmware for consumer IoT or smart home products.
Experience with industry protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, and Matter.
Knowledge of Linux memory management, file systems, and bootloaders such as U-Boot.
Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or Lua.
Experience supporting products through manufacturing and production.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, debug, and maintain embedded firmware for IoT and video streaming products.
Own major firmware components and features throughout the product development lifecycle, from design to production.
Collaborate with Hardware, Cloud, Mobile, QA, and ODM partners to support system integration and product delivery.
Develop and integrate device drivers, communication protocols, RTOS components, and platform firmware.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex firmware, hardware, and system-level issues.
Optimize firmware for performance, memory usage, power consumption, and system reliability.
Review board schematics, component datasheets, and hardware documentation to support firmware development and debugging.
Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and root-cause analysis to improve software quality.
Evaluate new SoCs, image sensors, wireless modules, and other hardware components for future product development.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering best practices and continuous process improvements.