Principal Architect, Firmware / Software
Schneider Electric, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
For this U.S. based position, the expected compensation range is $117,600 - $147,000 per year, which includes base pay and short-term incentive.
Our salary ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the salary range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Schneider Electric also offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, inclusive of medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks (credits to apply towards your benefits), flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, 401(k) + match, well-being and recognition (including service anniversary) programs, 12 holidays per year, 15 days of paid time off per year (pro-rated in the first year of employment based on start date), opportunity to purchase company stock (eligibility depends on start date), and military leave benefits.
About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned Firmware/Software Product Architect with 10+ years of experience to lead the design, development, and optimization of firmware/software for our industrial automation product line, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Software Defined Automation, and field I/O devices. You will architect scalable, real-time firmware/software solutions that ensure high reliability, safety, and performance in harsh industrial environments such as manufacturing, oil & gas, LNG, petrochemical, and power generation. The role also collaborates closely with multiple teams, including offer and program managers, to review and interpret system requirements, translating them into implementable product architectures and specifications for Agile teams.
Key Responsibilities
Architect end-to-end firmware solutions for DCS controllers, field I/O modules, and gateways with an emphasis on real-time operation, deterministic performance, and deep understanding of external components and their integration into system architecture.
Define firmware architecture including RTOS selection, driver development, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus), with strong awareness of how external components and systems integrate with DCS development.
Lead design reviews and ensure alignment with key industrial standards such as IEC 62443, IEC 61131, IEC 61499, and other applicable standards influencing cybersecurity, system design, and interoperability.
Oversee firmware development in C/C++ with focus on modularity, scalability, and integration with cloud and edge analytics. Provide architectural guidance rather than hands‑on coding when appropriate.
Lead or oversee troubleshooting of complex issues, unit/integration testing, and ensure conformance with security and communication protocol standards.
Mentor engineers and drive innovation in areas including AI‑accelerated architecture, design, implementation, and test workflows.
Mandatory Skills (Required)
10+ years in embedded firmware development for industrial automation, with proven experience in DCS, PLC, and I/O systems.
Expertise in C/C++ for bare‑metal and RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, RT‑Linux, VxWorks).
Strong knowledge of ARM Cortex‑M/A architectures, microcontrollers, and peripherals (ADC/DAC, PWM, industrial Ethernet, CAN).
Experience with industrial protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA) and real‑time embedded systems.
Solid understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443), industrial automation standards (IEC 61131, IEC 61499), and embedded testing methodologies.
Experience in product architecture or product ownership and leading Agile development teams.
Nice‑to‑Have Skills (Preferred)
Technical Skills
Experience with Linux kernel development for industrial systems.
Familiarity with TSN, edge AI/ML frameworks, and open‑source development.
Background in high‑availability systems, redundancy protocols (PRP/HSR), or FPGA‑based acceleration.
What will make you successful
Proven ability to create modular, future‑proof architectures with emphasis on scalability using open‑source or inner‑source methodologies.
Strong experience applying software design patterns such as HAL abstraction, state machines, and layered architecture.
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
Strong interpersonal skills to align cross‑functional teams, including hardware, Firmware, Software, Quality, and product management.
Experience leading technical roadmaps, influencing senior stakeholders, and guiding major architectural decisions.
Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and drive innovation.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Electronics, Computer Engineering, or related field.
Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work across cross‑functional teams.
Strong communication skills for technical documentation and stakeholder alignment.
Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and inclusion is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.
At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here.
Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Our salary ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the salary range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Schneider Electric also offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, inclusive of medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks (credits to apply towards your benefits), flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, 401(k) + match, well-being and recognition (including service anniversary) programs, 12 holidays per year, 15 days of paid time off per year (pro-rated in the first year of employment based on start date), opportunity to purchase company stock (eligibility depends on start date), and military leave benefits.
About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned Firmware/Software Product Architect with 10+ years of experience to lead the design, development, and optimization of firmware/software for our industrial automation product line, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Software Defined Automation, and field I/O devices. You will architect scalable, real-time firmware/software solutions that ensure high reliability, safety, and performance in harsh industrial environments such as manufacturing, oil & gas, LNG, petrochemical, and power generation. The role also collaborates closely with multiple teams, including offer and program managers, to review and interpret system requirements, translating them into implementable product architectures and specifications for Agile teams.
Key Responsibilities
Architect end-to-end firmware solutions for DCS controllers, field I/O modules, and gateways with an emphasis on real-time operation, deterministic performance, and deep understanding of external components and their integration into system architecture.
Define firmware architecture including RTOS selection, driver development, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus), with strong awareness of how external components and systems integrate with DCS development.
Lead design reviews and ensure alignment with key industrial standards such as IEC 62443, IEC 61131, IEC 61499, and other applicable standards influencing cybersecurity, system design, and interoperability.
Oversee firmware development in C/C++ with focus on modularity, scalability, and integration with cloud and edge analytics. Provide architectural guidance rather than hands‑on coding when appropriate.
Lead or oversee troubleshooting of complex issues, unit/integration testing, and ensure conformance with security and communication protocol standards.
Mentor engineers and drive innovation in areas including AI‑accelerated architecture, design, implementation, and test workflows.
Mandatory Skills (Required)
10+ years in embedded firmware development for industrial automation, with proven experience in DCS, PLC, and I/O systems.
Expertise in C/C++ for bare‑metal and RTOS environments (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, RT‑Linux, VxWorks).
Strong knowledge of ARM Cortex‑M/A architectures, microcontrollers, and peripherals (ADC/DAC, PWM, industrial Ethernet, CAN).
Experience with industrial protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA) and real‑time embedded systems.
Solid understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (IEC 62443), industrial automation standards (IEC 61131, IEC 61499), and embedded testing methodologies.
Experience in product architecture or product ownership and leading Agile development teams.
Nice‑to‑Have Skills (Preferred)
Technical Skills
Experience with Linux kernel development for industrial systems.
Familiarity with TSN, edge AI/ML frameworks, and open‑source development.
Background in high‑availability systems, redundancy protocols (PRP/HSR), or FPGA‑based acceleration.
What will make you successful
Proven ability to create modular, future‑proof architectures with emphasis on scalability using open‑source or inner‑source methodologies.
Strong experience applying software design patterns such as HAL abstraction, state machines, and layered architecture.
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
Strong interpersonal skills to align cross‑functional teams, including hardware, Firmware, Software, Quality, and product management.
Experience leading technical roadmaps, influencing senior stakeholders, and guiding major architectural decisions.
Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and drive innovation.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s/Master’s in Electronics, Computer Engineering, or related field.
Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work across cross‑functional teams.
Strong communication skills for technical documentation and stakeholder alignment.
Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and inclusion is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.
At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here.
Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.
#J-18808-Ljbffr