{"id":3160108,"url":"https://alion.io/job/job-mail-senior-firmware-engineer-2","title":"Senior Firmware Engineer","company":{"id":701519,"name":"Job Mail","domain":"jobmail.co.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/job-mail","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":true,"employer_type":"agency","is_intermediary":true,"listed_via":"jobmail.co.za","ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":65,"open_postings":6927,"ghost_share":0.489,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0.71,"time_to_fill_p50_days":7,"computed_at":"2026-11-02T06:13:15Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Durban, South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":27000,"max_usd":63000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":1936},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"FreeRTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Git","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-23T15:50:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-23","last_verified_at":"2026-10-23T15:50:00Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":9,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":9},"description":"A leading South African security communications company that designs, manufactures and supports GSM/LTE communicators, alarm panels (including the Mi range) and related software is seeking a hands-on Senior Firmware Engineer to own the end-to-end design, development, and maintenance of embedded firmware.\nResponsibilities:\nDesign & Maintain: Architect and develop robust C/C++ firmware for resource-constrained microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M).\n\nCommunication Stacks: Build and optimize drivers and stacks (GSM/LTE, UART, SPI, I2C) for reliable alarm signaling and bi-directional communications.\n\nIntegrations: Work with software teams on Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, cloud backend interfaces, and device provisioning.\n\nHardware Collaboration: Assist with board bring-up, schematic reviews, debugging, and design-for-manufacture (DFM).\n\nReliability & Security: Implement diagnostics, logging, watchdog mechanisms, error recovery, and low-power strategies.\n\nTesting & Support: Conduct unit, field, and production testing; perform root-cause analysis to resolve complex field issues.\n\nStandards & Mentorship: Drive code reviews, establish coding standards, maintain technical documentation, and mentor junior engineers.\n\nCompliance: Ensure compliance with South African regulatory standards (ICASA) and security protocols.\n\nMinimum Requirements:\nExperience: 8+ years of professional embedded firmware/software development experience.\n\nTechnical Skills: Strong proficiency in C/C++ on ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (or similar).\n\nSystem Design: Proven experience with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS) or bare-metal development.\n\nConnectivity: Deep hands-on experience with cellular modems (GSM/2G/3G/LTE), AT command sets, and RF communication.\n\nHardware Tools: Experience with peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C, DMA) and hardware debugging tools (JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes).\n\nWorkflows: Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and structured build systems.\n\nEducation: B.Sc. or B.Eng. in Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.\n\nAdvantageous\nBackground in alarm panels, telemetry, or security products (e.g., Contact ID protocols).\n\nExperience designing secure OTA firmware update systems and low-power/battery-backed devices.\n\nScripting skills (Python) for automated testing and tooling.\n\nFamiliarity with ICASA radio compliance and regulatory processes.\n\nBenefits:\nCompetitive salary based on experience (salary can potentially be more based on experience/skills)\nIF you meet the above requirements and want to make a career-changing move, apply today by emailing your CV to 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