Principal Engineer - Embedded Systems

Location: Santa Clara, CA (primarily onsite) 

Group: Analyzer Product Group (APG), Engineering

Job Title: Principal Engineer – Embedded Systems

Role Summary

Picarro is seeking a Principal Engineer – Embedded Systems to provide technical vision and architectural leadership for the embedded platforms powering our advanced Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instrumentation.

This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role responsible for defining and driving system architecture across firmware, FPGA, embedded Linux, and hardware interfaces. You will serve as a principal technical authority—shaping long-term platform strategy, mentoring senior engineers, and ensuring scalable, high-performance system integration across complex instrumentation products.

This role is ideal for a deeply experienced embedded systems expert who thrives at the intersection of hardware, firmware, FPGA logic, and software—and who can translate strategic vision into robust, production-grade systems.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Strategy & System Architecture

• Define and own the architecture of Linux-based embedded systems, including kernel components, device drivers, services, and communication interfaces
• Architect and maintain system-level interfaces between FPGA modules, microcontroller firmware, and high-level applications
• Lead cross-layer design decisions spanning hardware, FPGA, firmware, and embedded software
• Establish a long-term platform strategy for performance, scalability, modularity, and maintainability
• Drive architectural standards and design governance across embedded product lines

Embedded & FPGA Development Leadership

• Develop and review high-performance C/C++ code for embedded Linux and real-time systems
• Lead board bring-up activities, hardware abstraction layer development, and low-level device integration
• Provide technical oversight of FPGA development and integration
• Contribute to or review FPGA designs written in Verilog and VHDL
• Troubleshoot complex cross-domain issues involving hardware, firmware, FPGA logic, and software stacks
• Drive system-level debugging using lab instrumentation and advanced diagnostic tools

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

• Collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, FPGA, and application teams to deliver cohesive system solutions
• Partner with product management and systems engineering to evaluate trade-offs and optimize architecture decisions
• Engage with external vendors on drivers, silicon, and specialized firmware components
• Influence product roadmaps through technical insight and architectural foresight

Mentorship & Organizational Impact

• Mentor senior and staff-level engineers in advanced embedded system design and FPGA integration
• Serve as a subject matter expert in embedded Linux, firmware architecture, and hardware/software co-design
• Elevate engineering standards through code reviews, architectural reviews, and design guidelines
• Lead major technical initiatives and drive continuous improvement in engineering processes

Engineering Excellence & Quality

• Champion modern development practices including CI/CD, automated testing, and structured design reviews
• Ensure robust unit, integration, and system-level validation strategies
• Drive compliance with internal quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements
• Promote documentation discipline and long-term maintainability

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in embedded systems design and development
• Proven experience in architecting and delivering complex, production-grade embedded platforms
• Demonstrated leadership of large-scale technical initiatives or system architectures in instrumentation or hardware-centric products

Technical Expertise (Required)

• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ for embedded Linux and/or RTOS environments
• Deep knowledge of Linux kernel internals, device drivers, and board bring-up
• Strong expertise in microcontroller firmware and hardware abstraction layers
• Significant experience interfacing with and integrating FPGA-based systems
• Proficiency in Verilog and VHDL for FPGA development and review
• Strong understanding of digital communication protocols (I2C, SPI, PCIe, SERDES, UART, Ethernet, etc.)
• Experience with low-level debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and lab instrumentation
• Strong system-level debugging, performance tuning, and optimization capabilities
• Experience with Python or scripting for automation and test infrastructure
• Proficiency with modern development tools (Git, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, embedded debugging environments)

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Strong ability to lead through influence across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Excellent communication and documentation skills for both technical and executive audiences
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on, pragmatic execution style
• High ownership mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for CRDS systems, analytical instrumentation, or complex sensing platforms
• Knowledge of embedded software compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Prior experience scaling embedded architectures across multiple product generations
• Experience in improving engineering processes and mentoring teams toward architectural maturity

At Picarro, Principal Engineers play a critical role in shaping the future of our technology platforms. If you are passionate about architecting sophisticated embedded systems and driving innovation at the hardware-software boundary, we encourage you to apply.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $240K to $250K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.