Embedded Software Engineer - RFID/NFC

Job Opportunity - Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

Location : Schaumburg, IL

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain production-quality firmware for next-generation secure NFC/RFID credential reader products. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in modern C++ (C++17 or later), embedded microcontrollers, RTOS environments, and low-level driver development. This role focuses on embedded firmware engineering, hardware integration, performance optimization, and secure embedded systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware using C++17 or newer.
• Develop and integrate low-level drivers for USB, UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, DMA, and timers.
• Implement embedded software modules, threads, state machines, and hardware interfaces.
• Work with RTOS environments, preferably Zephyr RTOS, to integrate drivers, middleware, and application components.
• Develop and enhance USB communication functionality, including CCID protocols.
• Optimize firmware performance, memory usage, real-time behavior, and power consumption.
• Implement robust error handling, recovery mechanisms, and secure coding practices.
• Debug, test, and validate embedded firmware to ensure reliability, performance, and security.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver production-ready firmware.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in embedded firmware or embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or later).
• Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers, preferably Cortex-M4F.
• Experience with STM32 microcontrollers, ideally the STM32G4 family.
• Strong RTOS experience, preferably with Zephyr RTOS.
• Proven experience in low-level programming, device drivers, and hardware interfacing.
• Experience with USB stacks and communication protocols.
• Familiarity with Embedded Template Library (ETL) and state-machine-based architectures.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and real-time system optimization skills.
• Understanding of embedded security and secure firmware development practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NFC, RFID, smart card, authentication, or credential reader products.
• Familiarity with CCID (Chip Card Interface Device) protocols.
• Experience developing security-sensitive embedded products.
• Ability to take ownership of major firmware components and work independently within a collaborative engineering team.

Technical Environment

C++17+, Zephyr RTOS, ARM Cortex-M4F, STM32G4 microcontrollers, USB/CCID, Embedded Template Library (ETL), Windows development environments, and Linux-based build and test systems.