Senior Firmware Engineer

About the role

Halter is seeking a highly skilled Senior Firmware Engineer to join our dedicated team in Auckland. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining firmware for our innovative livestock management collars. Your work will directly impact the performance, reliability, and scalability of our devices, enabling farmers to monitor and manage their livestock more effectively. You will collaborate closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and product teams to deliver embedded solutions that meet our high standards for quality and durability. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in a fast-growing company committed to sustainable farming practices and animal welfare.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and implement embedded firmware in C and C++ for livestock collars, ensuring efficient use of limited hardware resources such as power, memory, and processing capacity.
• Utilize FreeRTOS to create real-time operating system features that support device functions, including task scheduling, timing, and resource management.
• Design and optimize communication protocols for various wireless technologies, including LoRa mesh networking, cellular connectivity, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), to enable reliable and secure data transfer between devices and the cloud.
• Create algorithms for hardware-related tasks such as signal processing, timing synchronization, and estimation, ensuring high accuracy and robustness in field conditions.
• Manage the entire firmware lifecycle - from initial design, development, and testing to deployment and ongoing maintenance - supporting a large fleet of devices in diverse environments.
• Troubleshoot complex and intermittent issues encountered in the field by analyzing logs, telemetry, and device data, applying a deep understanding of embedded systems and communication protocols.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure firmware seamlessly integrates with sensors, radios, power circuitry, and other hardware components, facilitating optimal device performance.
• Improve system reliability and quality through code reviews, implementation of best practices, and development of testing frameworks to catch issues early.
• Mentor junior engineers by sharing technical knowledge, participating in design discussions, and reviewing code to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Contribute to the development of new features and enhancements based on customer feedback, industry trends, and technological advancements.
• Document firmware architecture, design decisions, and troubleshooting procedures to ensure maintainability and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Participate in cross-disciplinary meetings to align firmware development with hardware design, product goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Support field teams by providing technical assistance and guidance during deployment, troubleshooting, and updates of firmware on deployed devices.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in embedded systems, wireless communication, and IoT technologies to continuously improve firmware capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations, including ITAR restrictions, to maintain the integrity and security of our products.

Requirements

• Proven experience in designing and delivering firmware for embedded devices, particularly in resource-constrained environments.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++, with a solid understanding of low-level hardware concepts such as interrupts, timers, and real-time behavior.
• Experience working with FreeRTOS or similar real-time operating systems, including task management, synchronization, and inter-task communication.
• Background in mathematics or physics, with the ability to apply these principles to timing, signal processing, and control systems within embedded applications.
• Hands-on experience with wireless communication protocols such as LoRa, BLE, or cellular networks, including protocol stacks and security considerations.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues, analyze logs and telemetry, and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Familiarity with hardware integration, including sensors, radios, power management circuits, and other peripherals.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach, focusing on root cause analysis rather than superficial fixes.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Ability to work on-site in Auckland and adapt to a collaborative, office-based environment.
• Self-motivated with a passion for embedded systems, IoT, and innovative technology solutions.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable firmware that withstands field conditions.

Nice to have

• Deep understanding of FreeRTOS internals, including scheduling, timing guarantees, and resource management.
• Experience with GPS/GNSS systems, time synchronization techniques, or distributed systems requiring precise timing across multiple nodes.
• Knowledge of advanced signal processing, control theory, or applied statistical methods such as Kalman filtering.
• Familiarity with low-power IoT communication technologies like LTE-M or NB-IoT, including their challenges and solutions for low-power device connectivity.
• Experience working in outdoor or rugged hardware environments, with an interest in farming, animal welfare, or related fields.
• Understanding of regulatory standards relevant to embedded devices and wireless communications, including ITAR restrictions.

Skills & tools

• Embedded C and C++ programming
• FreeRTOS or similar real-time operating systems
• Wireless communication protocols: LoRa, BLE, cellular networks
• Signal processing and control system fundamentals
• Hardware integration skills, including sensors, radios, and power circuits
• Debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and telemetry analyzers
• Version control systems like Git
• Familiarity with development environments and build systems for embedded firmware

Practical notes

• Halter offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, parental leave, and a personal development budget of $1,000 annually to support ongoing learning and growth.
• We promote wellness leave and unlimited paid annual leave to encourage a healthy work-life balance.
• Our office-first approach fosters a collaborative environment, emphasizing in-person teamwork, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
• The role requires on-site presence in Auckland, with no remote working options specified.
• We value diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from various backgrounds who are passionate about embedded systems and technology.
• Candidates should be prepared to engage in technical discussions, participate in code reviews, and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Our company is committed to maintaining high standards of security and compliance, including adherence to ITAR restrictions where applicable.
• The position offers an exciting opportunity to work on impactful technology that supports sustainable farming and animal welfare initiatives.
• If you are enthusiastic about embedded firmware development and want to make a difference in the agricultural sector, we encourage you to apply.
• To join our team, please submit your cover letter and CV, highlighting your relevant experience and motivation to contribute to our mission.

Join our team

Halter is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement but believe they can contribute meaningfully to apply. If this opportunity excites you, please send your application with a cover letter and CV. We look forward to hearing from you!

Discover more about our culture, values, and current projects by visiting our careers page and following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.