Embedded Software Engineering

Embedded Software Engineer Job Description Template

An embedded software developer role often covers a large area of different technologies, and job listings in this area usually need to be very specific. Since every embedded environment is different—often significantly so—finding the right person for the job can be a lengthy and involved process.

Share

An embedded software developer role often covers a large area of different technologies, and job listings in this area usually need to be very specific. Since every embedded environment is different—often significantly so—finding the right person for the job can be a lengthy and involved process.

The popularization of hobbyist platforms such as the Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, and even Raspberry Pi has resulted in an increase of software developers who have at least some familiarity with embedded development. But industrial platforms tend to be completely unlike the open, hobbyist ones.

This example job listing is for an embedded software (firmware) engineer for an IoT platform based on the popular ATmega32U4 microcontroller used in Arduino products. By changing the relevant specifics where indicated, it can be used as a template to help you write the perfect job ad and hire the person that matches specific project criteria.

Embedded Software Engineer - Job Description and Ad Template

Copy this template, and modify it as your own:

Company Introduction

{{ Write a short and catchy paragraph about your company. Make sure to provide information about the company’s culture, perks, and benefits. Mention office hours, remote working possibilities, and everything else that you think makes your company interesting. }}

Job Description

We are looking for a firmware developer whose primary responsibility will be to create {{ the complete firmware for an IoT sensor device }}. You will be working with other engineers—{{ some of which are creating the hardware platform, and others who are writing server-side and mobile app interfaces for the device }}—who will cooperate with you in determining the architecture and constraints of the project. Ideal candidates will have excellent skills in collaborative problem solving, the willingness to overcome hardware constraints, and the internal drive to create quality products.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze the project and participate in multi-way discussions with {{ hardware designers and server-side and mobile app developers }} to familiarize yourself with the product.
  • Design, build, and test efficient, high-quality embedded code.
  • Ensure the robustness of the code in the face of heavy-duty hardware use.
  • Ensure the robustness and security of {{ wireless communication with other devices }}.
  • Ensure that the {{ firmware }} is as protected and tamper-proof as the hardware platform can provide.
  • Collaborate on the design of future revisions of the product.
  • {{ Add any other relevant responsibilities here. }}

Skills

  • Strong experience with {{ ATmega32U4 or other microcontrollers from the ATmega family }}
  • Strong knowledge of the C programming language in an embedded software context
  • Experience interfacing with {{ Bluetooth 4.2 modules, especially Texas Instruments’ modules }}
  • Experience with USB communication
  • Experience with low-power design and advanced sleep modes
  • Experience interfacing with {{ small OLED devices, especially with SSD1306 controllers }}
  • {{ Familiarity with using additional sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes }}
  • Understanding of underlying electronics to the point where it influences firmware development and debugging
  • A knack for benchmarking and optimization
  • Familiarity with source control tools such as Git
  • {{ Make sure to mention any other frameworks, libraries, or other technologies relevant to your project. }}
  • {{ List any education level or certification you may require. }}
See also:Toptal’s growing, community-driven list of essential Embedded Software Engineering interview questions

Recent Embedded Software Engineering Articles by Toptal Engineers

Find the right Embedded Software Engineering interview questions

Read a list of great community-driven Embedded Software Engineering interview questions.
Read them, comment on them, or even contribute your own.

Read the Questions

Hire a Top Embedded Software Engineer Now

Toptal is a marketplace for top Embedded software engineers. Top companies and startups choose Toptal Embedded software freelancers for their mission critical software projects.

See Their Profiles

David Marín

Freelance Embedded Software Engineer
SpainToptal Member Since July 2, 2015

David is an open-source and open-data enthusiast with more than 23 years of experience as a professional developer. He has acquired various skills, including web programming (PHP and JavaScript), C, C++ (under Linux and Windows), and systems management. Of these skills, David specializes in web programming and has full-stack experience with Symfony PHP-based back ends, jQuery front ends, and WordPress/WooCommerce-based sites.

Show More

Federico Albanese

Freelance Embedded Software Engineer
ArgentinaToptal Member Since January 9, 2019

Federico is a developer and data scientist who has worked at Facebook, where he made machine learning model predictions. He is a Python expert and a university lecturer. His Ph.D. research pertains to machine learning. He can continuously learn and implement state-of-the-art algorithms during this process and become a better data scientist each day.

Show More

Szabolcs Dombi

Freelance Embedded Software Engineer
RomaniaToptal Member Since July 1, 2019

Szabolcs is an experienced Python, C, and C++ developer, who uses the Python C API to build Python extensions, and to embed Python into other applications. His spare time project is a high-performance rendering library built for Python. Szabolcs has won several competitions with his elegant and successful coding skills, and finds simplicity, maintainability, and performance important when making design decisions.

Show More

Discover More Embedded Software Engineers in the Toptal Network

Start Hiring

Toptal Connects the Top 3% of Freelance Talent All Over The World.

Join the Toptal community.