Hybrid Firmware Systems Engineering Manager, SmartSense

at Digi International

• Job title: Firmware Systems Engineering Manager, SmartSense
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior, Lead
• Salary: $122,500 - $191,500 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: AWS, Azure, Cloud, Docker, IoT, Jenkins, Linux, RTOS
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Boston, United States

About the role

• Embedded Firmware Systems Engineering Manager at SmartSense leading development of next-gen IoT sensors and gateways. Overseeing team dynamics while defining system architecture and guiding firmware efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level engineering across MCU firmware, embedded Linux, connectivity pipelines, and device-cloud interfaces.
• Define and evolve platform architecture including wireless stacks, OTA update systems, low-power design, telemetry, and performance.
• Contribute hands-on to firmware development in C/C++, RTOS environments, embedded Linux services, and edge compute components.
• Ensure fleet KPIs including connectivity stability, uptime, power efficiency, and OTA reliability.
• Work closely with Hardware Engineering on sensor interfaces, radio integration, manufacturability, and system validation.
• Drive CI/CD automation, secure coding practices, test infrastructure, and engineering processes.
• Debug complex issues across MCU, Linux, RF, sensors, and hardware interfaces using advanced diagnostic tools.
• Mentor, develop, and coach firmware engineers to build a strong, scalable engineering organization.
• Partner with Product, Cloud, QA, and Operations to ensure predictable delivery and cross-team alignment.

Requirements

• 10+ years of embedded systems or firmware engineering experience, including real-time MCU development.
• 1+ years of engineering leadership with strong delivery and quality outcomes.
• Expert proficiency in embedded C/C++, RTOS architectures, device drivers, and low-power IoT system design.
• Strong background in embedded Linux (Yocto, Ubuntu) and device service development.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git, Jenkins, Docker, and secure software development practices.
• Strong knowledge of wireless protocols such as BLE, Zigbee, LTE, and device-cloud communication.
• Skilled in debugging across hardware, firmware, Linux, and RF domains.
• Experience with at least one major cloud IoT platform—AWS IoT, Azure IoT, or Google Cloud IoT is required and considered a must for this role.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive program
• New hire stock award
• Paid parental leave
• Open (uncapped) PTO
• Hybrid work environment
• Competitive medical, health & wellbeing and compensation offerings