Principal Firmware Engineer
Own the embedded Linux platform behind complex edge and hardware systems. Senior, deeply hands-on role focused on Yocto, embedded Linux infrastructure, CI/CD architecture and developer tooling - acting as technical authority across build, deployment and HIL environments.
About the role
Sydney-based engineering company looking for the technical authority on embedded Linux build, deployment and CI/CD across multiple hardware platforms. Deep ownership across the infrastructure that lets the firm’s engineering organisation ship reliably.
This is a senior IC role, not a people-management track - but with real influence on platform standards and developer experience.
Why AEY is running this
Confidential client, multi-mandate AEY engagement. One of the most strategic individual contributor hires the firm will make this year.
Process
Three stages: technical conversation with engineering leadership, deep-dive panel on Yocto and CI/CD architecture, and a final discussion with the VP-level sponsor for the role.
Responsibilities
- ▸ Own and evolve embedded Linux build systems and CI/CD infrastructure.
- ▸ Architect scalable Yocto-based workflows across multiple hardware platforms.
- ▸ Build and maintain automated pipelines for builds, testing, deployment and validation.
- ▸ Improve developer workflows and reduce friction across build-deploy-test environments.
- ▸ Automate deployment pathways for embedded Linux images and containers.
- ▸ Support and improve Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) infrastructure and testing systems.
- ▸ Develop tooling for provisioning, monitoring, observability and infrastructure health.
- ▸ Modernise legacy build systems and reduce technical debt over time.
- ▸ Collaborate closely with software, firmware, hardware, QA and systems teams.
Requirements
- ▸ 5+ years building and maintaining CI/CD systems and embedded Linux infrastructure.
- ▸ Deep practical Yocto experience - layers, BSPs, SDKs, release workflows.
- ▸ Strong systems-thinking and troubleshooting capability.
- ▸ Comfortable operating as a technical authority across build and deployment systems.
- ▸ GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins or similar.
- ▸ Python automation; Docker and containerised workflows.
- ▸ Cross-compilation, device trees, bootloaders; HIL testing environments.
- ▸ Strong automation mindset; balances long-term improvements with short-term delivery.
Bonus
- ▸ Buildroot or alternative embedded Linux build systems.
- ▸ Golang or additional systems programming languages.
- ▸ Embedded security and secure deployment practices.
- ▸ Infrastructure observability and metrics tooling.
- ▸ Experience leading technical direction or mentoring engineers.
Tell us what you are looking for.
If this role isn't the one, we likely have something adjacent - or coming up. A short conversation is enough to align.