Job Description
The Senior Firmware Engineer will help architect, design, develop, and maintain embedded hardware and firmware-based systems for the latest consumer and industrial electronic products, using cutting-edge technologies and modern development practices. This position is responsible for all phases of embedded software development, including requirements analysis, architecture, design, coding, integration, test, debugging, release readiness, and maintenance for device drivers, communications protocols, secure firmware update mechanisms, and other embedded software applications.
The successful candidate has sufficient experience and expertise to address medium to complex assignments, structure and manage technical approaches, and make inventive design recommendations that meet performance, security, schedule, and cost targets. This role leads technical support staff in testing and analysis, contributes ideas and concepts that demonstrate self-motivation and sound engineering judgment, and is adept at analyzing complex technical issues, identifying root causes, and proposing effective solutions.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop organized, maintainable, easy-to-review software source code for embedded systems from requirements through production, including development effort estimates.
- Debug software/firmware using emulators, analyzers, simulators, and similar tools.
- Develop applications using industry-standard technologies, defined APIs, specified SDKs, and applicable Apple MFi specifications.
- Create object libraries, applications, daemons, and drivers deployed inside embedded hardware devices.
- Document software designs, code, interfaces, verification plans, and end-user documentation.
- Develop embedded applications in C or C++ with working knowledge of assembly.
- Develop applications and drivers for operating systems such as Zephyr, FreeRTOS, and derivatives from IC manufacturers.
- Develop board support packages for new hardware platforms.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of cross-functional and related technical areas such as software quality techniques, software configuration management, and release management.
- Write clear and concise technical specifications, design documents, test outlines, procedures, and code review artifacts.
- Use AI-assisted development tools responsibly for code generation, debugging, refactoring, documentation, test development, and code review; validate outputs against requirements, architecture, coding standards, and confidentiality obligations.
- Design firmware security controls, including secure boot, signed images, encrypted/authenticated communications, secure key handling, secure OTA update flows, rollback prevention, and vulnerability mitigation.
- Apply secure coding practices, threat modeling, static analysis, dependency review, and peer review throughout the development lifecycle.
- Research upcoming projects, firmware technologies, AI-enabled engineering practices, and product security requirements; present findings to corporate leadership and integrate results into team technical strategy.
- Work closely with electrical, mechanical, quality, and software engineers, industrial designers, product managers, vendors, and manufacturing to ensure successful project coordination and integration.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
- Monitor and meet project schedules and cost objectives.
- Ability to work independently/self-manage and collaborate with cross-functional teams for system integration.
- Work closely with outsource engineering and other resources across time zones and represent Belkin interests on-site as part of an engineering team.
- Participate in and/or lead peer-to-peer and cross-functional design review meetings.
- Perform all other duties as assigned and required.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience. May have a Master of Science degree.
- 5+ years of experience in embedded systems design and development supporting new product development; consumer electronics design experience.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience debugging and troubleshooting embedded applications.
- Experience optimizing firmware for performance or size.
- Understands hardware-software interactions, memory management, and system-level optimizations.
- Experience with embedded communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, and USB.
- Experience with RTOS development on ARM SoCs.
- Familiar with hardware board bring-up and debugging using typical lab equipment: power supplies, digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and function generators.
- Familiarity with IDEs and toolchains such as VS Code and nRF Connect is a plus.
- Experience with bug tracking tools and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes is valuable.
- Working knowledge of secure embedded software practices: secure boot, cryptography, authentication, signed/encrypted OTA, rollback protection, secure key management, and vulnerability remediation.
- Experience with secure coding standards, static analysis, SCA, fuzz testing, SBOMs, or product security review processes is a plus.
- Possess knowledge of using test equipment and basic schematic understanding.
- Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools for high-quality code, tests, documentation, and technical analysis.
- Mastery of Git for source control.
- Experience implementing Agile/Scrum software development cycles.
- Have experience in probing hardware during runtime to analyze software behavior.
- Experience with CMake and other build systems.
- Experience leading and mentoring firmware engineers, including technical guidance and code reviews.
- Experience with Bluetooth and BLE; familiarity with other wireless communication protocols is a plus.
What you're getting into
We've got big collaborative spaces for your big ideas, so bring an open mind and leave your suit in the closet. We all are committed to creating unique and rewarding consumer experiences. Everyone is interested in succeeding - for the team, for themselves and for the business. Cross-functionally and across the company, everyone has common goals and aspires to be their best.
You will learn something new or at least look at things differently every day. There are so many smart and creative people around that you'll be motivated to pursue the ideal.
Team spirit is infectious. Belkin is an extremely open workplace, where communication is essential. Not every idea will be accepted, but you'll be asked for your point of view. Innovation thrives on multiple and varied levels. At Belkin we challenge conventional wisdom and refuse to accept that something cannot be done.
Belkin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Disability and Veterans. We maintain a drug-free workplace.
All candidates applying for a job in the EMEA region, please review the Applicant Privacy notice HERE
Location:
El Segundo, California
Range for this position:
$130,000 - $145,000
Factors such as geographic location, academic credentials, relevant experience, and specific knowledge, skills and abilities will influence the actual salary offered. In addition to a competitive market-based salary, compensation also includes a performance-based bonus, and in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Further details can be found here.