IA- Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Kirkland, Washington at Heads Up Technologies

Heads Up Technologies is a leading provider of innovative aerospace and aviation solutions, delivering advanced systems across lighting, cabin management, in-flight entertainment, audio, and safety.

With a strong foundation in engineering excellence and design innovation, we partner with customers around the world to enhance the in-flight experience through reliable, high-performance technology.

We are a team of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers who are passionate about building smarter solutions for the aviation industry.

Through the integration of multiple specialized brands and capabilities, Heads Up Technologies brings together deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach to deliver meaningful results across every stage of the product lifecycle.

At Heads Up Technologies, our culture is grounded in shared values that guide how we work and grow:

IntegrityWe act with honesty, accountability, and respect in everything we do.

TeamworkWe collaborate across teams and disciplines to achieve the best outcomes.

ExcellenceWe are committed to delivering high-quality work and continuously improving.

ExpertiseWe leverage our knowledge and experience to solve complex challenges.

Joining Heads Up Technologies means being part of a team that is shaping the future of aviation.

We offer an environment where employees are empowered to contribute, grow their careers, and make a direct impact on innovative products used across the globe.

Whether you are developing technology or supporting business operations, your work here matters.

To elevate the aviation experience by delivering intelligent, integrated solutions powered by exceptional people.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to sustain, troubleshoot, and improve embedded software for in-service business-jet cabin systems (IFE/CMS). You will work across Linux, QNX, RTOS, and bare-metal environments, diagnose field issues on custom hardware, and maintain certification-ready software deployed in production aircraft. This role owns the health of fielded product lines resolving defects, preventing regressions, and managing component obsolescence and collaborates closely with hardware, FPGA, systems, quality, and field support teams.

What you'll do

· Own the software lifecycle of fielded embedded products, driving reliability, maintainability, and continued compliance across microprocessor and DSP-based systems.

· Diagnose and resolve field-reported defects across custom SoC platforms (ARM), peripherals (I2C/SPI/UART, GPIO, USB, Ethernet), and networking stacks (TCP/UDP, multicast).

· Perform root cause analysis on production issues; develop and validate corrective actions through the full verification cycle.

· Lead HW/SW troubleshooting on fielded units using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, and trace tools.

· Lead sustaining engineering efforts on assigned product lines; mentor junior engineers, prioritize defect backlogs, and coordinate with product management on release planning.

· Manage component obsolescence and end-of-life transitions; evaluate, qualify, and integrate alternate parts with minimal design disruption.

· Maintain certification-aligned software processes (requirements, design, code reviews, regression tests, verification evidence) for updates to fielded products.

· Collaborate across FPGA, hardware, manufacturing, quality, and field support teams to resolve cross-functional issues and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering (BSCS, BSEE) or equivalent.

Core Technical Skills

· Eight (8) + years of embedded software design experience.

· Experience with QNX Neutrino RTOS, including BSP development, driver work, or system integration.

· Must be familiar/experienced with the C programming language in Embedded Systems/Real-Time OS.

· Strong debugging and root cause analysis skills across hardware/software boundaries in production environments.

· Experience sustaining or supporting Ethernet and microprocessor/DSP-based products through their full lifecycle, including post-release maintenance and field issue resolution.

· Logical thought processes, excellent attention to detail, ability to conceptualize, implement, and document innovative solutions.

· Ability to read and understand schematics and datasheets.

· Strong problem-solving skills with a bias toward practical, low-risk fixes that preserve system stability.

· Take ownership, communicate risks early, deliver to commitments.

· Drive technical direction on sustaining priorities and continuous improvement within the team.

· Effectively communicate technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.

· Disciplined approach to regression testing, requirements traceability, and change-impact analysis.

· Proficiency with Git or equivalent source control.

· Ability to quickly ramp up on legacy codebases and make safe, well-scoped changes with minimal regression risk.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with diagnostic and test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, boundary scan, etc.).

· Experience with HTML/CSS/JS and/or Front-End GUI Design.

· Experience with one or more Real-Time Operating Systems.

· Experience with ARM assembly language.

· Experience with Linux OS tools, Bash scripts.

· Familiarity with DO-178C.

· Familiarity with FAA and/or Mil Spec requirements.