Firmware Engineer (Hardware Solutions)

Department: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies (CTCT)
Job Level: Intermediate to Career Level (this is not a senior role)

Trimble is seeking a firmware engineer for our CTCT joint venture to design GNSS and compute systems for the earth-moving industry. Join our team to develop solutions for construction equipment and machine control.

CTCT, a joint venture between Trimble and Caterpillar, develops machine control products that use site design information combined with positioning technology to semi-automatically control machines. These products are used in a range of applications to enable a machine operator to perform their work safely, accurately, efficiently, sustainably, and effectively through the use of sophisticated yet intuitive user-centric technology.

Role Summary:

• In this role, you will develop core firmware for compute boxes and GNSS sensors, making an essential contribution to hardware product design and manufacture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, debug, support, and maintain firmware for hardware devices that include compute boxes and GNSS (GPS) sensors, predominantly using C, C++, Javascript/Typescript, in a Linux runtime environment
• Support board bring-up of new hardware platforms through bootloader, OS, device driver, and debug interface initialisation
• Collaborate with external FW suppliers to CTCT, following best practices to achieve technical and schedule expectations
• Contribute to automated testing (unit and functional testing) and work with validation and verification teams supporting in-field product testing.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of embedded firmware development experience in C, C++, and embedded Linux
• Experience with real-time operating systems, compilers, and debuggers
• Familiarity with production development environments including Jira, GitHub, and CI tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to speak both to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with vehicle network technologies such as CAN, J1939, or BroadR-Reach
• Knowledge of GNSS sensors/devices
• Experience with Functional Safety standards like IEC 61508
• Experience with agentic development workflows and AI-assisted coding tools.

Please note: Only applicants legally entitled to work in New Zealand will be considered, and please be aware that this is not a senior-level (P4) position; we are looking for someone with intermediate (P2) or career-level (P3) experience.

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Based at Trimble’s NZ headquarters in Christchurch, New Zealand (handily located on the Little River Link Cycleway), home to almost 500 employees, enjoy free parking, securely covered bike sheds, an onsite gym, showers, an active social club, and a great team environment where people love working with leading technology solutions.

Travel Requirement: Rarely

Why You'll Love Working With Us:

At Trimble, we are a team dedicated to making a tangible, positive real-world impact. You will work on projects that truly matter, collaborate with like-minded people in a supportive team environment, and find an entrepreneurial spirit where you can be an owner and thrive. Enjoy free parking, securely covered bike sheds, an on-site gym, showers, and an active social club at our Christchurch headquarters.

Keywords: firmware engineer, embedded Linux, C++, C, GNSS, GPS, hardware solutions, Christchurch, Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies, CTCT