Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Heron Power · San Francisco Bay Area
- On site
- Full-time
- $215,000 / year
- San Francisco Bay Area
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Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Heron Power · San Francisco Bay Area
Avery Quinn
Hiring Manager · h•••••@company.com
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Subject: Interested in the Principal Embedded Software Engineer role at Heron Power
Hi Avery — I came across the Principal Embedded Software Engineer opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Heron Power stood out because…
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Not recommended alone — most applicants never hear back.
Job highlights
- Architect embedded firmware for power conversion hardware.
- Lead technical vision and embedded software development.
- Implement real-time control and device infrastructure.
- Develop firmware CI/CD and automated testing.
- Requires 8+ years embedded C/C++ and RTOS experience.
About the role
Job Overview
As a Principal Embedded Software Engineer / Firmware Architect, you will own the technical vision and architecture for Heron’s embedded firmware platform. You will define how our converters are operated and monitored at the device level — from microcontroller selection and RTOS architecture to resource management, safety infrastructure, and production firmware processes. This role blends deep hands-on engineering with system architecture and technical leadership.Why This Role Is Different
This role owns the device brain. You’ll architect the firmware platform that every Heron product is built on — shaping performance, reliability, maintainability and scaleability at the foundation — while partnering closely with controls and cloud engineers to deliver a complete solution. If you enjoy building robust embedded systems from the metal up and setting technical direction for an entire product line, you’ll thrive here.How You Will Contribute
Architecture & Technical Leadership
- Define and own the long-term architecture for embedded firmware across Heron products
- Establish reusable platform software, hardware abstraction layers, and shared infrastructure
- Set coding standards, architectural ethos, and development practices, while leading design reviews and mentoring embedded engineers
- Drive system-level technical decisions across firmware and hardware boundaries
Real-Time & Control Firmware
- Architect and implement RTOS-based firmware for high-performance power conversion
- Design low-latency control infrastructure, fault management, telemetry, real-time scheduling, and key drivers and peripherals (PWM, ADC, communications, etc.)
- Evaluate and select microcontrollers/SoCs for new platforms
- Build safety-critical and high-reliability firmware systems
Device Infrastructure
- Design bootloaders, secure firmware architecture, and update mechanisms
- Implement logging, diagnostics, tracing, and observability tools on-device
- Define device-side communication interfaces and data models
- Partner with the connected systems team members to enable telemetry, OTA, and fleet management
- Support manufacturing test, provisioning, and production workflows
Quality & Tooling
- Architect build system, CI/CD, and automated testing infrastructure for firmware
- Define unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop testing strategies
- Improve developer tooling and validation pipelines
What You Will Bring
Must-Have
- 8+ years of embedded firmware development with multiple shipped products
- Expert-level embedded C/C++
- Deep experience with RTOS, bootloaders, and low-level hardware drivers
- Proven experience architecting large embedded systems (not just implementing features)
- Experience building firmware CI/CD and automated testing frameworks
- Strong hardware debugging skills (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.)
- Demonstrated technical leadership and mentorship
Nice-to-Have
- Real-time control systems or power electronics experience
- Safety-critical or high-reliability firmware (IEC 61508, UL1998, etc.)
- Secure boot and device security experience
- Experience integrating embedded systems with cloud/IoT platforms
- FPGA or ASIC familiarity
- Production manufacturing and field support experience
Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $170,000 to $260,000 per year.
Key skills/competency
- Principal Embedded Software Engineer
- Firmware Architecture
- Embedded C/C++
- RTOS
- Microcontroller
- System Architecture
- Technical Leadership
- CI/CD
- Hardware Debugging
- Safety-Critical Systems
Skills & topics
- Principal Embedded Software Engineer
- Firmware Architect
- Embedded C++
- RTOS
- Microcontroller
- Power Electronics
- System Architecture
- Real-Time Systems
- IoT
- Grid Technology
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 8+ years of embedded C/C++ experience, RTOS, bootloaders, and system architecture.
- Showcase leadership: Detail your experience architecting large embedded systems and mentoring engineers.
- Demonstrate technical depth: Emphasize skills in hardware debugging, CI/CD, and automated testing frameworks.
- Address nice-to-haves: Mention any power electronics, safety-critical systems, or cloud integration experience.
- Apply with confidence: Connect your expertise to Heron Power's mission of accelerating electrification.
Technical preparation
Master embedded C/C++ and RTOS concepts.,Study power electronics and control systems.,Practice hardware debugging with oscilloscopes.,Familiarize with CI/CD and testing frameworks.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex embedded system you architected.,How do you mentor junior embedded engineers?,Share an experience resolving firmware/hardware conflicts.,How do you ensure firmware reliability and safety?
Prefer to apply the usual way?
Not recommended alone — most applicants never hear back. Email the hiring manager first.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Heron Power?
- The salary range for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Heron Power is $170,000 to $260,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. This also includes competitive equity and benefits.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Heron Power?
- The Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Heron Power will own the technical vision and architecture for the embedded firmware platform, define device operation and monitoring, architect RTOS-based firmware, design device infrastructure, and lead quality and tooling initiatives.
- What technical skills are essential for the Principal Embedded Software Engineer role at Heron Power?
- Essential technical skills include 8+ years of embedded firmware development, expert-level C/C++, deep experience with RTOS, bootloaders, low-level hardware drivers, architecting large embedded systems, firmware CI/CD, automated testing, and strong hardware debugging skills.
- Does Heron Power offer remote work for the Principal Embedded Software Engineer position?
- The job description does not explicitly state the work arrangement. Based on the description emphasizing deep technical environments and hardware debugging, it is likely an on-site or hybrid role, with the possibility of remote work being negotiable for exceptional candidates.
- What experience is considered 'nice-to-have' for the Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Heron Power?
- Nice-to-have experience includes real-time control systems or power electronics, safety-critical or high-reliability firmware, secure boot and device security, integrating embedded systems with cloud/IoT platforms, FPGA or ASIC familiarity, and production manufacturing or field support experience.
- What is Heron Power's mission and how does this role contribute?
- Heron Power's mission is to build cutting-edge power electronics to debottleneck electricity grid growth and accelerate the electrification of everything. As Principal Embedded Software Engineer, you will own the device brain, architecting the firmware that powers all Heron products and directly contributes to this mission.
- What kind of company culture does Heron Power have?
- Heron Power fosters a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and problem-solving from first principles. It's a fast-moving, deeply technical environment where ownership and impact are highly valued.