Staff Firmware Engineer (m/f/d), Platform R&D

About the Role

We are looking for a Staff Firmware Engineer to provide technical leadership in the development of bespoke, safety- and security-critical embedded systems for defence products. You will shape firmware architecture and implementation across the product-development lifecycle, from requirements and design through integration, verification and qualification.

This is a hands-on technical role. You will set engineering direction, resolve complex embedded-systems problems and act as a trusted technical authority across firmware, hardware, systems, test and security disciplines.

What You’ll Build

• Own and evolve the foundational architecture, design, and implementation of safety- and security-critical real-time embedded firmware for defence products.
• Translate complex system, safety, and security requirements into clear, verifiable firmware designs, maintaining full traceability across the V-model development lifecycle.
• Design and implement robust bare-metal and RTOS-based components, including device drivers, custom hardware-abstraction layers (non-AUTOSAR), BSPs, and bootloaders.
• Develop secure-update mechanisms and integrate hardware-security features (e.g., HSMs, PKI, anti-tamper mechanisms) to align with zero-trust security principles.
• Build highly testable, deterministic firmware that operates consistently across target hardware, SIL, and HIL simulation environments.
• Investigate and resolve complex hardware-software integration faults using systematic debugging techniques, schematics, JTAG probes, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership, mentor cross-functional teams, and set the engineering direction across firmware, hardware, test, and security disciplines.

What You Bring

• 10+ years of professional experience developing bare-metal and RTOS-based firmware for safety- or security-critical real-time systems in regulated sectors (e.g., defence, aerospace, or marine).
• Deep expertise in low-level embedded systems (interrupts, scheduling, determinism, fault tolerance) with strong C and modern C++ programming skills, and Python for automation.
• Experience across the full development lifecycle, including requirements, architecture, implementation, integration and verification within a V-model or equivalent assurance framework.
• Hands-on experience with safety- or security-relevant development: certified or qualified toolchains, static analysis, coverage-driven testing, and automated CI for firmware. .
• Ability to debug hardware-software integration issues using schematics, wiring diagrams, JTAG or equivalent probes, oscilloscopes, logic analysers and protocol analysers.
• A proactive, evidence-driven mindset capable of acting as a trusted Staff-level technical authority, communicating complex trade-offs clearly across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience producing objective verification and qualification evidence for regulated customers.
• Professional fluency in English (must-have); German language proficiency is a strong plus.

Please note: You do not need to meet every single requirement to apply. We welcome motivated candidates who are eager to grow into the role and develop their expertise further.

What We Offer

Join a mission-driven European defense tech company at a pivotal stage of growth, where you can help shape meaningful technology, take ownership early, and grow with the business!

• Competitive compensation package including a bonus opportunity
• 27 vacation days to start, increasing with tenure up to 30 days
• Employer-supported pension contribution
• Learning & development support and team events budget
• Employee discounts and flexible benefits budget via Probonio
• Hybrid working setup depending on role and team needs
• Structured salary bands, levelling framework, and bi-annual development conversations
• Referral bonus program, dog-friendly office, and relocation support where applicable

About Us

ARX is a dual-use technology company that specializes in developing autonomous unmanned systems and sensors for the European defence sector. Our dual-use unmanned ground systems and sensors assist NATO Armies and civilian first responders in tackling their most challenging problems by providing them with training and information to make better decisions and take effective actions in life-or-death situations.

As our team continues to expand rapidly, we are seeking motivated candidates who are excited to work in a highly energetic, creative, and innovative team dedicated to developing autonomous systems for challenging environments. We operate in a dynamic sector where collaboration, sharing innovative ideas, and developing novel problem-solving strategies are ingrained in our work culture.

If you are passionate about overcoming challenges that have a real impact on the security of our democracies, apply here to join ARX and help shape the future of dual-use technology!

ARX is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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