Senior Design Lead
United States
Job Description
Senior Design Lead
Waukesha, Wisconsin

Job Summary

Firmware Engineer (Contractor)

Mid-Career | Embedded Systems and C++

Role focus: Deliver high-quality firmware while independently learning unfamiliar systems, resolving technical ambiguity, and progressing work with minimal day-to-day guidance.

Position Summary

We are seeking a self-directed firmware engineer to contribute to embedded software development for MR platforms. The engineer will work across firmware, systems, hardware, and architecture teams to translate requirements into reliable software. Success in this role requires strong C++ fundamentals, practical embedded development experience, disciplined engineering practices, and the ability to quickly learn a complex technical environment and make progress with limited supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

  • Own assigned firmware features or components from requirements analysis through design, implementation, integration, verification, and defect resolution.
  • Independently learn existing code, hardware interfaces, development tools, and system behavior; identify the right technical resources and ask focused questions when needed.
  • Develop maintainable embedded software in modern C++ using sound object-oriented design, clear interfaces, and appropriate error handling.
  • Collaborate with systems, hardware, FPGA, software, and architecture teams to clarify requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and resolve cross-functional issues.
  • Use debuggers, emulators, analyzers, logs, and other diagnostic methods to isolate complex software and hardware interaction problems.
  • Create unit and integration tests, contribute to automated testing, and support continuous integration to improve software quality and regression coverage.
  • Participate in design and code reviews; provide constructive feedback and incorporate review input promptly.
  • Estimate, plan, and track work through user stories; communicate status, risks, dependencies, and technical blockers early and clearly.
  • Follow applicable quality processes and produce clear technical documentation that supports design traceability, testing, and long-term maintenance.
  • Work effectively with globally distributed teams and contribute to consistent design and architectural improvements across MR platforms.

Skill Requirements

  • Develop maintainable embedded software in modern C++ using sound object-oriented design, clear interfaces, and appropriate error handling.
  • Collaborate with systems, hardware, FPGA, software, and architecture teams to clarify requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and resolve cross-functional issues.

Other Requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree, or equivalent practical experience, in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of professional experience developing embedded or firmware software.
  • Strong C++ programming skills, including object-oriented design, memory management, concurrency fundamentals, debugging, and writing maintainable production code.
  • Hands-on experience developing software that interacts with hardware, real-time systems, device interfaces, or resource-constrained embedded platforms.
  • Proven ability to learn unfamiliar technologies and codebases independently, break down ambiguous problems, and deliver results with minimal guidance.
  • Experience with embedded development and diagnostic tools such as debuggers, emulators, protocol or logic analyzers, and system logs.
  • Experience with Linux-based development environments, source control such as Git, and build or container-based workflows.
  • Experience with continuous integration, automated testing, and disciplined software review practices.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical decisions, raise risks, and collaborate across functions.
Maximum Salary (US):  148000
Minimum Salary (US):  78000
Information at a Glance

Why HCLTech?

At HCLTech, you'll supercharge your potential. You'll find your career. And you'll find your spark. All at a place that knows that helping its customers stay on top starts by putting its people first.

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending June 2026 totaled $14.8 billion. 

 

Compensation and Benefits

A candidate’s pay within the range will depend on their skills, experience, education, and other factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses subject to company policies. In addition, this role is eligible for the following benefits subject to company policies: medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) retirement plan; 10 days of paid time off per year (some positions are eligible for need-based leave with no designated number of leave days per year); and 10 paid holidays per year.