Honeywell

Lead Software Engineer - Firmware

Honeywell$146K — $183K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Expert-level proficiency in C and C++, with a focus on embedded programming for constrained targets.
  • Hands-on experience in assembly language programming for ISR optimization and low-level hardware access.
  • Solid understanding of RTOS concepts including task scheduling and real-time determinism.
  • Deep knowledge of embedded communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, BLE, and more.
  • Proven experience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers like STM32 and NXP LPC/iMX RT.
  • Familiarity with access control protocols and wireless firmware development.
  • Experience with agile development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.

Responsibilities

  • Define firmware architecture for access control systems, including bootloader and application layers.
  • Drive technology decisions for MCU selection and communication protocols.
  • Evaluate third-party libraries and RTOS options for project needs.
  • Write optimized production-quality firmware in C and C+ for ARM Cortex-M/RISC-V targets.
  • Implement secure boot, firmware updates, and cryptographic key management features.
  • Develop and maintain BSPs and peripheral drivers for hardware integration.
  • Conduct extensive testing to ensure high reliability and performance of firmware.

Benefits

  • Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
  • 401(k) match and flexible spending accounts.
  • Educational assistance for continuing education.
  • Paid time off for vacation, personal days, and sick leave.
  • Parental leave and 12 paid holidays each year.
Full Job Description
Job Description

As a Lead Firmware Engineer here at Honeywell, you will be responsible for providing technical guidance to project teams that will be designing, developing, and implementing software solutions for our Access Controls product line. You will drive the adoption of coding standards, identify and address risks, and provide mitigation solutions. You will be responsible for timely and successful deliveries of software projects and collaboration with business leaders to ensure they align with the overarching business objectives.

You will report directly to our Senior Software Engineering Manager and you'll work out of our Pittsford, NY location.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Define the firmware architecture for an access control reader, including bootloader, HAL, RTOS task decomposition, communication stack, and application layers.
  • Drive technology decisions for MCU selection, peripheral drivers, and communication protocols (Wiegand, OSDP, RS-485, I2C, SPI, UART, UWB, BLE, NFC/ISO 14443).
  • Evaluate third-party libraries, RTOS options (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, etc.), and middleware components.
  • Write production-quality firmware in C and C++, optimizing for code size, execution speed, and power consumption on ARM Cortex-M and/or RISC-V targets.
  • Implement and optimize time-critical routines and interrupt service routines in assembly language where required.
  • Develop and maintain BSPs, peripheral drivers (GPIO, timers, DMA, ADC, crypto accelerators), and communication protocol stacks.
  • Design and implement secure boot, firmware update (OTA/wired), and cryptographic key management features compliant with relevant security standards.
  • Integrate hardware security modules (HSE/SE), tamper detection circuits, and anti-cloning protections.
  • Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test suites using industry-standard frameworks and custom test harnesses.
  • Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and protocol analyzers to root-cause and resolve hardware/firmware interaction issues.
  • Perform static analysis (e.g., PC-lint, Polyspace, Coverity) and address findings to achieve high software reliability.
  • Support EMC pre-compliance, environmental testing, and regulatory certification activities (UL, FCC, CE, FIPS 140-2/-3 as applicable).


Qualifications

YOU MUST HAVE
  • Expert-level proficiency in C and C++; demonstrated ability to write, review, and optimize embedded C/C++ for constrained targets.
  • Hands-on assembly language programming experience (ARM Thumb/Thumb-2 preferred) for ISR optimization, startup code, and low-level hardware access.
  • Solid understanding of RTOS concepts: task scheduling, inter-task communication (queues, semaphores, mutexes), memory management, and real-time determinism.
  • Deep knowledge of embedded communication protocols: SPI, I2C, UART, USB, RS-485, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), UWB, and NFC / ISO 14443 / ISO 15693.
  • Proven experience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, NXP LPC/iMX RT, Nordic nRF52/nRF53 series).
  • Familiarity with access control industry protocols including Wiegand and OSDP v2.
  • Familiarity with wireless firmware development.
  • Hands-on experience with agile development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban, to drive project success.
  • Strong debugging skills using JTAG/SWD interfaces, GDB, and professional embedded IDEs (IAR, Keil, VS Code + CMake).
  • Experience developing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for embedded firmware (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar).
  • Working knowledge of version control (Git), code review workflows, and release branching strategies.

WE VALUE
  • Experience in the physical security, access control, mobile credentialing, or IoT device industry.
  • Familiarity with FIPS 140-2 / FIPS 140-3, Common Criteria, or NIST SP 800-193 (Platform Firmware Resiliency) requirements.
  • Exposure to hardware security elements (e.g., NXP SE050, ATECC608, internal TrustZone-M) and secure key provisioning workflows.
  • Knowledge of low-power design techniques and experience profiling and reducing system power consumption.
  • Hands-on experience with Python or Bash for build automation, test scripting, or hardware-in-the-loop frameworks.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job Posting Date: June 8, 2026.

The annual base salary for this position is $146,000 - $183,000. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR HONEYWELL

In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Honeywell employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays. Learn more (https://benefits.honeywell.com/)

About Honeywell

Honeywell Aerospace is an American company that manufactures aircraft engines, avionics, auxiliary power units (APUs), and other aviation products. The company’s product portfolio includes space equipment, turbine engines, auxiliary power units, brakes, wheels, synthetic vision, runway safety systems and other avionics. President Barack Obama awarded a Honeywell employee the National Medal of Technology for his contributions to air flight safety technology. The company also owns a number of patents related to NextGen technology, aircraft windshields, turbochargers, and more. Honeywell Aerospace was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Honeywell Careers

Joining Honeywell offers more than just job opportunities; it's a chance to grow with a company known for leadership in innovation and diversity. As a global leader, Honeywell is where your professional journey can reach new heights through a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Work You'll Do

At Honeywell, you'll be part of a team that drives digital transformation across industries. With a focus on sustainability and advanced technologies, Honeywell is not just preparing for the future; we're creating it. Our diverse and inclusive culture fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities in which we operate.

Innovate and Lead

Embrace the opportunity to lead in the marketplace with Honeywell's cutting-edge solutions. Our leadership in areas such as aerospace, building technologies, and performance materials allows you to engage in work that makes a difference. Honeywell is at the forefront of tackling global challenges with innovative technology that improves quality of life.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Whether you're looking for an internship, a graduate role, or a leadership position, Honeywell offers a path to career success. Honeywell's commitment to professional growth is evident in our extensive training and development programs, aimed at expanding your skills and advancing your career.

Join a Dynamic Team

Honeywell's team culture is built on collaboration and respect. With a global team of professionals, you'll network with some of the brightest minds, working together to solve complex challenges. Our commitment to diversity and inclusive growth makes Honeywell not just a great place to work, but a place where your career can thrive.

Benefits and Culture

Honeywell is dedicated to providing employees with a life-work harmony through substantial benefits, including health, education, and retirement plans, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family. Our culture promotes quick learning, flexibility, and adaptation, which are critical in our fast-evolving industries.

Explore Job Opportunities

Discover the range of career opportunities at Honeywell, from engineering to sales, and contribute to our mission of shaping the future. Our hiring process is designed to find not just the right skills but also the right fit for Honeywell's culture.

Stay Connected

Join the Honeywell team to stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here.

Apply Now

Ready to apply? Check out the open positions on the Honeywell Careers page. Tailor your resume, prepare for your interview, and take the first step towards a rewarding career at Honeywell.

Keep Up to Date

Stay informed with the latest news, job alerts, and professional insights tailored to your interests. At Honeywell, your career journey is just beginning.

SEARCH HONEYWELL JOBS

Join Honeywell and be part of a team that is dedicated to building a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world.
Learn more about Honeywell
Size
99,000 employees
Market Cap
$143.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4.7 billion
Founded
1906
5 Year Trend
-2.6%
Revenue
$32.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Honeywell

More Consumer Technology Jobs

Find similar Lead Software Engineer - Firmware jobs: