Senior Embedded/Firmware Engineer (with Linux)

Role overview Build and maintain embedded software across Linux-based devices and microcontroller platforms, working from hardware bring-up through system behavior in the finished product. You will collaborate with hardware, mobile, QA, backend, product, and client teams to investigate issues that cross the boundary between software and physical devices. The engagement begins on a freelance, time-and-materials basis, with a possible transition to a salaried core-team role after an initial three-month period; that transition is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities - Create and maintain embedded Linux distributions using Yocto or Buildroot, and bring up new hardware platforms with the hardware team. - Maintain board support packages and bootloaders, customize the kernel, and develop or debug device drivers. - Write efficient C/C++ system services and applications, and improve boot time, memory use, and power consumption. - Implement security features such as Secure Boot and encrypted filesystems. - Diagnose firmware and hardware-adjacent issues using tools such as JTAG/SWD, serial logs, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes. - Contribute to requirements, architecture, estimation, planning, testing, release investigation, and technical documentation. - Share technical knowledge and improve engineering practices with the firmware and hardware group.

Requirements - At least four years of professional embedded or firmware development experience. - Strong practical C/C++ skills for embedded systems and experience with Yocto or Buildroot. - Working knowledge of the Linux kernel, device tree, drivers, and bootloaders such as U-Boot. - Experience with embedded CI/CD, Git collaboration, and Bash or Python automation. - Understanding of constraints including timing, memory, peripherals, boot performance, and power use. - Ability to debug hardware-adjacent problems and read schematics, datasheets, technical documentation, and errata. - Familiarity with interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, or GPIO. - English proficiency at B2 level or above, clear communication, and ownership of assigned work.

Nice to have - ARM Cortex-M or RTOS experience, including FreeRTOS or Zephyr. - Deeper Bluetooth/BLE, networking, multimedia, embedded security, sensor, power-profiling, or device-container experience. - Experience across varied hardware platforms or a portfolio of personal embedded projects.

Benefits and work setup - Freelance B2B rate of 120–180 PLN per hour, depending on experience; paid for hours worked. - Fully remote across Europe, with flexible scheduling. Most team meetings take place between 10:00 and 18:00 CET; occasional evening calls with US clients may be arranged in advance. - Access to technical talks, experiments, and side projects, plus a structured ramp-up with a technical buddy and early feedback. - Paid leave and medical benefits are not included during the freelance period; these are associated with a permanent contract.