Principal Engineer, Embedded Systems & IoT
Senior technical owner of King Technology's first IoT water-care device: defines end-to-end architecture across embedded firmware (C/C++ on RTOS like FreeRTOS/Zephyr), BLE/Wi-Fi connectivity, device-to-Azure-cloud integration, and native iOS/Android apps, while selecting hardware suppliers and leading delivery.
- Compensation
- $175K–$185K / yr
- Location
- Minnetonka, MN, USA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Principal
- Employment
- Contract
- Experience
- Not specified
- Category
- Embedded
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Deep, proven C/C++ embedded development experience on production products
- Strong RTOS experience (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar) on ARM Cortex-M or ESP32
- Track record architecting and shipping connected products from concept through production across device, mobile, and cloud
- Native mobile app development experience (iOS and Android)
- Strong troubleshooting and debugging at the hardware/firmware boundary
- Experience evaluating and selecting technology vendors, hardware platforms, or contract manufacturers
- Ability to independently learn and understand existing codebases and systems
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 15+ years professional experience in embedded systems, firmware development, or full-stack IoT engineering
- Delivered at least one connected product to market spanning firmware, mobile, and cloud
- Experience with hardware debugging tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD)
- Excellent communication skills, including explaining technical trade-offs to non-specialists
- Self-driven, quick to learn, comfortable owning outcomes with autonomy
Nice to have
- Advanced degree a plus
- Cloud-connected devices and telemetry; experience with Azure IoT services
- Wi-Fi and other wireless protocol experience (LoRa, cellular, or similar)
- Secure OTA update and device provisioning design
- IoT security best practices (secure boot, encryption, credential management)
- Python scripting and automation
- Dashboard development and data visualization
- Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams
- Experience with FCC, UL, or similar regulatory certification of wireless products
- Experience with Embedded Linux
- Experience working with outside consultants and development partners
Full description
King Technology is a Minnesota-based innovator that designs and manufactures smart water care solutions for pools and hot tubs. Known for its patented technologies and purpose-driven culture, King Technology is committed to making water care easier while “Enriching Lives Daily” for customers, employees, and communities.
The Principal Engineer will own the technical direction of King Technology's first company-owned IoT device and companion mobile app. This role is the senior technical authority across the full embedded stack: device firmware, wireless connectivity, device-to-cloud integration, and native mobile applications, with end-to-end responsibility for architecture, hardware supplier selection, and delivery.
This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and recommending the hardware supplier(s) and platform, lead firmware development on that platform, define how the device connects to King's Azure-based cloud backend, and build the native iOS and Android experience customers use every day.
The ideal candidate has spent a career shipping connected products across multiple layers of the stack, makes sound architectural decisions with incomplete information, and is comfortable owning outcomes rather than executing a predefined plan.
Essential Functions:
- Architecture & Technical Strategy: Define and own the end-to-end architecture for King's IoT device, mobile app, and cloud integration, including technology choices, interfaces, security model, and long-term roadmap.
- Hardware Supplier Selection: Identify, evaluate, and recommend hardware suppliers, modules, and platforms (including development partners and contract manufacturers). Lead technical due diligence, supplier engagement, and platform bring-up.
- Firmware Development: Design, develop, test, and maintain production firmware in C/C++ on ARM Cortex-M, ESP32, or similar platforms, built on an RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar).
- Sensor & Peripheral Integration: Interface with sensors and peripherals using I2C, SPI, and UART, including driver development and signal handling.
- Wireless Connectivity: Implement and support BLE, Wi-Fi, and other wireless technologies, including secure device provisioning, pairing with the mobile app, and robust reconnection behavior.
- OTA & Device Lifecycle: Design and implement secure over-the-air firmware updates, device provisioning, and fleet-level lifecycle management.
- Cloud & Telemetry Integration: Define the device-to-cloud contract (protocols, data models, provisioning, security) and collaborate closely with King's cloud consultant(s) on the Azure-based backend to deliver reliable telemetry and device management.
- Mobile Application Development: Design and develop native iOS and Android applications that interact with the device over BLE and the cloud, hands-on and by directing additional engineers or contractors as needed.