Job Description
About Softing
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Softing is an industrial automation company based in Knoxville, TN, focused on communication gateways, vibration analysis, embedded edge compute, and I/O products. Our firmware team supports embedded, industrial-grade products where reliability, determinism, and protocol compliance are non-negotiable and we're actively growing the team to support an expanding product roadmap.
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We are seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to lead the development of advanced embedded firmware for industrial networking and automation products. This senior-level role combines deep hands-on firmware development with technical leadership and architecture ownership across complex embedded systems.
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Job Purpose
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The Staff Firmware Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for owning firmware projects or major subsystems and leading technical execution across multiple contributors. This role combines deep firmware expertise with mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and accountability for delivering robust, scalable embedded software aligned with product and business objectives.
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What You'll Do
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- Own and lead the technical execution of firmware projects or major subsystems from concept through production release
- Define firmware architectures, design approaches, and implementation strategies
- Coordinate and guide the work of multiple firmware engineers through technical leadership and review
- Design, implement, and review embedded firmware using C and C++ across Linux and RTOS-based platforms
- Lead development and integration of board support packages (BSPs), bootloaders, device drivers, and middleware
- Lead firmware bring-up, debugging, optimization, and system integration activities
- Establish and apply firmware verification and validation strategies to ensure quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout the firmware development lifecycle
- Serve as a primary firmware technical interface with Hardware, Software, Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Project Management teams
- Provide advanced technical support for manufacturing, field, or customer issues
- Mentor and coach Associate, Firmware, and Senior Firmware Engineers
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of firmware development standards, tools, and processes
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Required Qualifications
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- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field from an accredited institution; Master's degree preferred
- Fifteen or more years of experience in firmware or embedded software engineering with demonstrated leadership of complex projects
- Expert-level proficiency in embedded firmware development using C and C++
- Extensive experience with embedded Linux systems and real-time operating systems
- Strong experience with Linux kernel configuration, building, and debugging
- Extensive experience developing and debugging device drivers and low-level firmware
- Experience configuring and customizing bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot, GRUB)
- Strong understanding of firmware architecture, modular design, and system trade-offs
- Deep experience with source version control systems and software release processes
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence without authority
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Desired Qualifications
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- Experience serving as technical lead on multi-disciplinary or cross-functional projects
- Experience with embedded build systems and RTOS platforms such as Yocto, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, or VxWorks
- Experience with in-circuit debugging tools and techniques
- Experience with CI/CD build pipelines, automated regression testing, and Test-Driven Development (TDD) practices
- Experience with Windows-based embedded or device driver development, and with ARM and x86 processor architectures
- Strong networking and Ethernet-based communication experience, including EtherNet/IP and Industrial Edge communications (including cellular connectivity)
- Experience with the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and familiarity with ODVA standards, along with other industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, PROFINET, and PROFIBUS
- Experience implementing cryptographic algorithms and secure communication protocols, including secure boot and secure embedded systems design; knowledge of, experience with, or certification in IEC 62443
- Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and the Rockwell Automation ecosystem, and/or SCADA systems
- FPGA design or development experience
- Experience with product certification activities (e.g., CE, UL) and in industrial automation or embedded control systems
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Physical Requirements
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- Minimal travel as required to support projects and product development efforts
- May require balancing, bending, stooping, and crouching
- Requires good mobility and the ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments
- Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs; occasionally up to 80 lbs
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Softing, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap or disability.