Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Embedded Developer
💰 $ 70,000 ‑ $130,000
Embedded SystemsFirmwareHardware IntegrationReal‑Time Systems
🎯 Role Definition
As an Embedded Developer, you will design, develop, test and maintain firmware and software that runs on embedded systems—microcontrollers, SoCs, real‑time operating systems (RTOS), and hardware peripherals. You will collaborate closely with hardware engineers, system architects and product teams to ensure seamless integration between software and hardware, deliver robust real‑time functionality, optimise for performance and resource constraints, and support production and maintenance phases of embedded products.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Junior Embedded Software Engineer
- Firmware Developer
- Embedded Systems Intern / Graduate Engineer
Advancement To:
- Senior Embedded Developer / Lead Embedded Engineer
- Embedded Software Architect / System Architect
- Manager – Embedded Systems or Head of Firmware Engineering
Lateral Moves:
- Hardware/Software Integration Engineer
- RTOS/Systems Engineer
- IoT Systems Developer
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Analyse embedded system requirements from product definitions, hardware datasheets, system specifications and design documentation, then translate into firmware design plans.
- Design and implement efficient, maintainable firmware and software modules for microcontrollers, DSPs or SoCs, using C, C++ and assembly as appropriate for resource‑constrained environments.
- Integrate hardware and software by working closely with hardware engineers to define interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN), implement device drivers, peripheral control, and ensure signal integrity, timing constraints and correct operation.
- Implement and maintain real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux subsystems, including task scheduling, interrupt handling, inter‑process communication, and memory management.
- Optimise embedded code for performance, memory footprint, power consumption and responsiveness under strict hardware constraints (RAM, ROM, battery, cycles).
- Develop, execute and maintain unit tests, integration tests, system tests and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) tests to validate firmware functionality, reliability and compliance with specifications.
- Troubleshoot, debug and resolve embedded software issues such as race conditions, memory leaks, interrupt conflicts, hardware/software mismatches, using tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers.
- Document software architecture, firmware modules, device drivers, system flows, API specifications and hardware interfacing details to assist production, maintenance and future development.
- Support production deployment, firmware updates, version control, field diagnostics and post‑release support to maintain embedded systems in the field.
- Participate in the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) in an embedded domain: requirements, design, coding, testing, verification, validation, release and maintenance.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (hardware, software, QA, product, manufacturing) to ensure design feasibility, debug issues, manage integration and align product goals.
- Mentor and guide junior embedded developers or firmware engineers by conducting code reviews, sharing best practices, enforcing coding standards, and promoting embedded software craftsmanship.
- Assist in architecture decisions for embedded systems: selecting microcontroller/processor, RTOS, build system, middleware, toolchain and development infrastructure.
- Drive continuous improvement of embedded development processes: increase automation, optimise build and test workflows, introduce modern tools and methods.
- Conduct performance profiling and system‑level optimization: identify bottlenecks, memory/CPU utilisation issues, I/O latency, task jitter, and implement enhancements accordingly.
- Ensure embedded software complies with relevant standards, safety/regulatory requirements (for example ISO 26262, DO‑178C in automotive/aviation) when applicable to product domain.
- Maintain version control (Git, SVN), branching and merging strategies for firmware, maintain build/release artefacts, track issues and collaborate via ticketing systems.
- Interface with manufacturing and supplier teams to support hardware bring‑up, board support package (BSP) validation, production firmware programming and debug.
- Stay up to date with emerging embedded hardware and software technologies, participate in R&D or prototyping of new embedded solutions, contribute innovative ideas for next‑gen product features.
- Support cost‑optimisation efforts: balance hardware/software trade‑offs, recommend component changes or firmware adjustments to reduce BOM cost, power consumption, board complexity and enhance manufacturability.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad‑hoc technical investigations, proof‑of‑concept embedded features or rapid prototyping for product innovation.
- Contribute to the organisation’s embedded systems roadmap by recommending reusable firmware libraries, modular components, standardised architectures and process improvements.
- Collaborate with business units to translate domain requirements (sensor data acquisition, IoT, industrial control) into embedded firmware tasks and backlog items.
- Participate in agile ceremonies (sprint planning, backlog grooming, stand‑ups, retrospectives) and contribute to continuous improvement of embedded delivery workflows.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proficiency in C and C++ programming for embedded systems, including firmware development, low‑level drivers and hardware interfacing.
- Experience with microcontrollers, microprocessors or SoCs (ARM Cortex‑M/M4, AVR, PIC, MSP430, etc.) and embedded hardware platforms.
- Strong knowledge of real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux environments and task scheduling, interrupt handling, resource constraints.
- Familiarity with hardware interfaces and communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, and peripheral integration.
- Experience in firmware debugging and hardware‑software integration using tools like JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, waveform analyzers.
- Competency in performance optimisation for embedded systems: memory usage, power consumption, CPU utilisation, boot time, latency.
- Knowledge of build systems, version control (Git/SVN), continuous integration, and embedded toolchains (GCC, Keil, IAR, Yocto) for firmware delivery.
- Understanding of embedded software architecture, design patterns, memory mapping, peripheral management, BSP and drivers.
- Awareness of safety, security and regulatory standards in embedded systems (e.g., MISRA‑C, ISO 26262, DO‑178C) where applicable.
- Ability to document embedded firmware and hardware interfaces: create technical specification, firmware release notes, traceability, test reports and diagnostics.
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset: able to debug complex embedded issues, identify root causes, apply creative solutions and prevent recurrence.
- Excellent verbal and written communication: able to clearly articulate technical design, firmware behaviour, hardware interactions and collaborate across disciplines.
- Team‑oriented and collaborative: works closely with hardware, firmware, software, QA, manufacturing and product teams to deliver integrated systems.
- Adaptable and continuous learner: thrives in evolving embedded domains, stays abreast of hardware trends, toolchains, architectures and continuously improves skills.
- Attention to detail and quality focus: ensures firmware meets performance, reliability, maintainability, documentation and safety standards.
- Time‑management and organisational ability: able to manage multiple tasks, work on embedded timelines, meet product milestones and maintain firmware baselines.
- Mentoring and leadership potential: supports junior engineers, shares best practices, enforces coding standards and fosters embedded engineering excellence.
- Ownership and accountability: takes responsibility for embedded modules delivered, monitors and resolves production issues, drives continuous improvement.
- Business‑ and product‑centric thinking: understands how firmware and embedded systems impact product features, user experience, cost, reliability and time‑to‑market.
- Agile mindset: participates in agile/scrum workflows, contributes to sprint planning, backlog grooming, reviews and iterative firmware deliveries.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Preferred Education:
Master’s degree in Embedded Systems, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent specialised certifications in embedded software development.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Computer Engineering or Embedded Systems
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Computer Science with systems focus
- Mechatronics or Control Systems
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
3‑5 years of hands‑on experience in embedded software or firmware development, including microcontrollers, real‑time systems, hardware‑software integration and production delivery.