Software Development Engineer - Seattle

Heatcon develops composite repair controllers serving aerospace, defense, wind energy, and industrial composite repair markets. Our product architecture is built on embedded Linux platforms (ARM-based SoMs), featuring real-time process control, web-driven HMI, secure networking, ...

Job description

Heatcon develops composite repair controllers serving aerospace, defense, wind energy, and industrial composite repair markets. Our product architecture is built on embedded Linux platforms (ARM-based SoMs), featuring real-time process control, web-driven HMI, secure networking, data logging, and role-based access control.

We are seeking a Software Development Engineer to design and maintain embedded Linux application software for our next-generation controller platform, while also supporting and sustaining legacy products built on Microchip PIC microcontrollers. This role bridges high-level application development with low-level hardware interfacing: you will work closely with our Embedded Systems and Electrical Engineers to integrate hardware drivers, board-level firmware, and real-time control loops with the application layer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.

Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and maintain application software on embedded Linux platforms (e.g., Toradex Verdin iMX8M Plus / Torizon OS)
• Implement cure execution engine, data logging, recipe/library management, and system diagnostics
• Develop system services for USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and cloud connectivity
• Implement user authentication, role-based access control, and device security
• Support secure over-the-air (OTA) and offline (USB) software update mechanisms
• Implement and tune PID control loops for thermal cure processes
• Develop real-time or near-real-time control software with deterministic timing requirements
• Apply industrial process control principles to composite repair heating applications
• Ensure safe and reliable operation under fault conditions (watchdogs, fail-safes, alarm handling)
• TCP/IP networking, HTTP/FTP services, SMTP email notifications
• Secure data export via USB and network
• Remote diagnostics and telemetry
• Device management platform integration using pub/sub messaging and message broker architectures (e.g., MQTT, AMQP, or similar)
• Maintain and troubleshoot bare-metal firmware on legacy controller products built on Microchip PIC microcontrollers (PIC16/PIC18/dsPIC)
• Diagnose and resolve field issues reported by customers
• Port or bridge legacy functionality to the new embedded Linux platform where appropriate
• Develop and execute unit, integration, and regression tests
• Support compliance validation (UL, IEC, accessibility)
• Participate in milestone design reviews
• Maintain software revision control (Git) and release documentation

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities, but may provide guidance to less senior members of the engineering staff.

Minimum Qualifications  

• Strong proficiency in embedded Linux application development
• Strong C programming skills, including experience with bare-metal microcontroller firmware
• Experience interfacing with hardware peripherals via serial buses (RS-232, RS-485, SPI, I²C)
• Ability to read electrical schematics and hardware reference documentation
• Experience with multi-threaded applications, IPC, and concurrency in resource-constrained environments
• Familiarity with real-time or near-real-time control concepts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ARM-based Linux SoMs (e.g., NXP i.MX8, Toradex Verdin)
• Experience with Microchip PIC microcontrollers (MPLAB X, XC8/XC16 compilers)
• Experience writing or modifying custom Linux device drivers and kernel modules
• Experience working with ADCs, DACs, and signal conditioning for sensor integration
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debug tools
• Experience implementing and tuning PID control loops
• Familiarity with industrial process control principles (thermal management, closed-loop control)
• Experience with safety-critical or regulated equipment software (aerospace, defense, medical)
• Experience with HTML/CSS/JavaScript-based HMI development for embedded devices
• Experience with Python (scripting, test automation, build tooling)
• Familiarity with containerized deployment (Docker on embedded Linux)
• Experience with OTA update frameworks (OSTree, Aktualizr, or similar)
• Familiarity with pub/sub messaging systems and message brokers (MQTT, NATS, RabbitMQ, Kafka, or cloud equivalents)
• Familiarity with role-based access control and secure boot / TPM integration
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and industrial human factors

Professional Skills

• Systems-level thinking—ability to reason across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries
• Structured debugging methodology (from application layer down to the bus/signal level)
• Clear technical documentation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams
• Ability to balance new feature development with legacy product sustainment

Education and/or Experience 

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Masters of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field with five (5) years of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.