Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Company
: Cutting-edge Global Sports Technology and Data

Role
: Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Location
:
Cape Town (Hybrid)

Introduction:

Our client is redefining what's possible in live sports performance analytics. They build ultra-low-latency tracking systems using
Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
and
motion sensing
to capture every movement of players and balls in real time.

You'll work at the intersection of
embedded systems, wireless networking, and sports innovation,
from bare-metal firmware to cloud infrastructure. Their engineering culture thrives on curiosity, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

If you love solving deep technical challenges, optimising firmware for real-time performance, and building products that perform flawlessly under stadium lights — this is your arena.

The Role:

As a
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
, you will play a pivotal role in developing and optimising the embedded software that powers our client's real-time UWB tracking and motion-sensing systems. You'll work closely with hardware, backend, and data teams to ensure our embedded devices deliver accurate, reliable, and low-latency data in demanding live sports environments.

This is a
hands-on technical role
that demands deep embedded expertise, system-level thinking, and a passion for delivering world-class performance in real time. You'll take ownership of major firmware components, mentor junior engineers, and contribute directly to architectural and design decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Firmware Development

• Design and implement firmware in C/C++ for bare-metal and RTOS-based systems (e.g. Zephyr, FreeRTOS).
• Develop and optimize low-level drivers, communication stacks (SPI, I2C, UART, USB, BLE, UWB), and data acquisition pipelines.
• Implement efficient RTOS task structures, interrupt handling, and power management strategies.
• Contribute to firmware architecture, code reviews, and documentation to maintain reliability and scalability.

Hardware Integration

• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers on system bring-up, prototyping, and field testing.
• Debug and profile embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, and RF tools.
• Develop and maintain production testing and calibration tools for manufacturing support.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with backend and data science teams to ensure seamless data transmission, timing accuracy, and system synchronization.
• Support real-world deployments and performance analysis across multiple sports and venues.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to other engineers.

Required Skills & Experience:

• BSc/MSc in Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
• 7–10 years of professional experience in embedded systems development.
• Deep experience with ARM Cortex-M (STM32) microcontrollers.
• Expert in Embedded C/C++, RTOS (Zephyr, FreeRTOS), and bare-metal real-time systems.
• Solid understanding of build systems (Makefiles, GCC, CMake) and version control (Git).
• Proficiency with memory and peripheral interfaces (EEPROM, Flash, SD, SPI, I2C, UART, USB).
• Working knowledge of Python for scripting, data analysis, or test automation.
• Experience developing for wireless communication systems, ideally UWB, BLE, or Wi-Fi.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with sensor fusion or IMU data pipelines.
• Familiarity with RF systems, antenna design, or signal integrity.
• Understanding of networking (TCP/IP) or Linux-based tools.
• Experience with test automation frameworks, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or CI/CD pipelines.
• Exposure to cloud-connected IoT systems or real-time data streaming architectures.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate problem-solver with strong technical instincts.
• Deep attention to detail and commitment to precision.
• Excited by working on physical systems that integrate software, hardware, and wireless communication.
• Thrives in a fast-moving startup environment with real ownership and autonomy.
• Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Motivated by seeing your work used live on the field by elite athletes.

Reporting To:

• Head of Embedded Systems

Works Closely With:

• Hardware Engineers, Backend Developers, Data Science, and Product Teams

Work Policy:

• Hybrid work flexibility