Technical Lead, Software Engineering

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. While the title includes software the work is primarily embedded and firmware-focused: RTOS-based systems hardware bring-up driver development board-level debugging and close collaboration with electrical and mechanical teams. Some upper-stack or tooling work exists but the core responsibility is commanding and controlling hardware. 

The Technical Lead owns embedded software at both the tactical and strategic levels ensuring that systems are architected correctly risks are identified early and the broader team is unblocked when challenges arise. This role sets technical direction streamlines and documents software processes establishes best practices and raises the embedded engineering bar across projects. 

Requirements and Preferences 

• Proven ability in: 
  • Leading the design development and optimization of embedded and firmware systems for robotics autonomous or maritime platforms 
  • Streamlining and documenting software processes to accelerate projects and ensure repeatability while maintaining high-quality standards 
  • Architecting and implementing firmware tightly integrated with custom hardware sensors and control systems 
  • Writing and reviewing RTOS-based firmware (FreeRTOS ROS2 Zephyr) including task design synchronization memory management and timing analysis 
  • Reviewing schematics and PCB layouts to identify firmware impacts integration risks and potential design issues early in the development cycle 
  • Debugging complex system issues using oscilloscopes logic analyzers protocol analyzers and other bench tools and determining root cause across software firmware and hardware 
  • Building and maintaining benchtop development setups (roadkills) to enable early firmware development prior to final hardware availability 
  • Ensuring firmware meets real-time performance reliability and mission-critical requirements 
  • Leading technical design reviews architecture discussions and roadmap planning with a focus on system-level risk and feasibility 
  • Clearly communicating technical concepts tradeoffs risks and status to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders 
  • Anticipating and addressing technical bottlenecks that span firmware hardware and system integration 
• Experience with: 
  • Working in challenging hands-on and customer-driven engineering environments 
  • Closely collaborating with electrical mechanical systems and product teams 
  • Demonstrating proficiency in standard embedded development tools git version control build systems and debugging environments 
  • Strong organizational skills and clear written and verbal communications
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance 

• Successful candidates must have demonstrated success and capability in the following: 
  • Acting as the technical escalation point when embedded or system-level issues block progress 
  • Mentoring and coaching engineers on embedded firmware architecture debugging techniques and best practices 
  • Writing high-quality maintainable and well-documented firmware and low-level software 
  • Developing and maintaining embedded system software including firmware device drivers and communication stacks 
  • Performing thorough testing and debugging to ensure system functionality reliability and safety 
  • Proposing and implementing technical solutions that improve system robustness debuggability and performance 
  • Breaking down ambiguous or novel problems into executable engineering plans including scope risk and estimates 
  • Supporting software configuration management and repeatable development workflows 
  • Working across R&D and product environments with an understanding of long-term maintainability and transition to production 

Qualifications :

• BS (acceptable) or MS (preferred) in Computer Science Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering or related field 
• 7 years of experience in embedded/firmware development including 3 years in a senior or technical lead role 
• Fluency in C and C for embedded systems as well as Python for tooling and testing 
• Hands-on experience with RTOS environments (FreeRTOS ROS2 Zephyr or similar) 
• Experience developing software on embedded targets such as STM32 ARM-based MCUs/SoCs x86 PIC32 or similar 
• Experience with I2C SPI UART Ethernet GPIO and low-level hardware interfaces 
• Familiarity with cloud and/or other networks/servers for data offload analysis and management 
• Experience debugging networking stacks and board-level communication issues is a strong plus 
• Experience authoring and reviewing software requirements specifications and design documentation and leading effective design reviews 
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for embedded systems 
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and CMMI quality frameworks is desirable 
• Experience with maritime systems robotics uncrewed systems or military platforms is highly desirable 
• Exposure to navigation localization sensor fusion or autonomy systems is a plus 

Bonus Attributes:

• Experience contributing to proposal development feasibility studies or early technical concepts 
• Background or interest in machine learning computer vision or AI as applied to embedded or robotic systems 
• Familiarity with safety-critical or mission-critical software development practices 
• Understanding of Agile methodologies and practical DevOps workflows in embedded environments 
• Experience working on government or defense-related programs including technical documentation and customer interaction 
• Experience working within or supporting quality management systems (QMS) 

Additional Information :

Employment Type: Full-Time Role

Reports to: Director Software Engineering

Location: Office-based role in Waltham Massachusetts

Travel:  Up to 10% travel

Salary Range: The base salary range for this position is $150000 to $175000 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications. The final offer amount will be determined by factors such as the candidates education knowledge experience and skills. A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance 401(k) match and paid time off is also provided.

This role is restricted to US persons (i.e. US citizens permanent residents and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export-controlled technology. Boston Engineering will require proof of status prior to employment. 

**Your application will not be considered complete without a submitted writing sample.**

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time