Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Embedded Software & Firmware Engineer to provide technical leadership, architecture guidance, and hands-on engineering direction for real-time embedded systems supporting products and solutions for P&C Solutions. This role focuses on the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of secure, resilient embedded platforms for protection relays, communication gateways, Ethernet switches, and industrial wireless devices deployed in substations, field automation, and remote environments.

As a senior technical leader within the business line, you will help drive the convergence of embedded and enterprise technologies, including real-time virtualization, containerization, and service-oriented architecture, to modernize grid-edge devices and improve lifecycle agility. You will work closely with cross-functional and global teams across hardware, networking, security, systems engineering, and product development to guide architecture decisions, and improve engineering execution.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for embedded platform modernization, product development, and next-generation system architectures within the business line.
• Review the design and implementation of real-time embedded platforms for protection and communication systems using multi-core SoCs, RTOS (VxWorks, QNX, FreeRTOS), and embedded Linux.
• Identify, evaluate, and introduce engineering solutions for embedded software and firmware challenges across product development and lifecycle support.
• Guide architectural implementation of virtualized firmware stacks, embedded containers, and real-time microservices for digital substations and edge computing applications.
• Support adoption of embedded virtualization using lean hypervisors and modular software architectures that improve reliability, maintainability, and secure field-deployable service updates.
• Chair design reviews for individual components, sub-assemblies, and key engineering deliverables in support of robust product execution.
• Support technical risk identification and resolution for products and subsystems, helping teams address design, quality, and schedule concerns.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps workflows, and automated test frameworks tailored to embedded environments.
• Support architecture for edge software solutions for AI/ML-based diagnostics, adaptive protection, and predictive maintenance in secure real-time environments.
• Organize and communicate lessons learned within the domain to improve engineering quality and prevent repeated issues.
• Participate in patent evaluation activities and contribute to innovation through technical problem-solving, publications, or intellectual property development.
• Represent the business in professional working groups and select customer or supplier engagements.
• Maintain active relationships with relevant academic institutions and support technical competency development within the business line.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related field.
• Significant experience in embedded software/firmware design, with substantial experience in technical leadership, system design, and/or architecture for embedded systems.
• Strong experience in real-time embedded systems used in power system protection, automation, or communication.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, with experience in embedded Linux, RTOS (VxWorks, QNX, FreeRTOS), and containerization/virtualization concepts for embedded systems.

• Experience integrating protocols such as GOOSE, MMS, SV, DNP3, Modbus, IEEE C37.118, IEC 60870-5-104, IEEE 1588, and secure communication protocols.
• Familiarity with electrical and cybersecurity standards including IEC 60255, NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and IEC 62351.
• Working knowledge of embedded hypervisors, container runtimes, and service isolation in resource-constrained environments.
• Hands-on experience with development toolchains, software analyzers, debugging tools, and validation across embedded and virtualized targets.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical consultation, lead design reviews, and guide resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Strong technical leader with the ability to influence engineers, project leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel for technical reviews, customer discussions, supplier audits, industry events, and business-line engineering initiatives.