Head of Firmware

Nexxiot is digitalizing freight asset management with technology that now oversees the world’s most extensive network of connected intermodal containers and railcars.

Clients gain access to unparalleled real-time data, which streamlines fleet management and automates logistics processes. Nexxiot devices, built for resilience, withstand extreme conditions and provide long-term, detailed insights into cargo events, including impacts, delays, safety and security incidents, and loading activities.

Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Nexxiot’s influence extends globally. Our team, comprised of industry experts, operates from offices in Europe and North America and maintains a presence in a majority of depots, ports, and rail yards.

To learn more about how Nexxiot is leading the value generation for the rail industry, please visit www.nexxiot.com.

Role Summary 

As Head of Firmware, you will be the driving force behind Nexxiot’s embedded software excellence. You will lead a team of talented firmware engineers, making key architectural and technical decisions that ensure our devices perform reliably in the most demanding environments. As the go-to expert for embedded, you will tackle complex challenges head-on, from root-cause debugging to feature innovation, delivering high-quality, secure firmware that powers our Industrial IoT solutions. Your leadership will shape both our technology roadmap and our engineering culture, enabling Nexxiot to beahead in the rapidly evolving world of connected logistics. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

• Firmware Architecture & Roadmap: 
  • Define and evolve the overall firmware architecture in line with the product roadmap. 
  • Establish development standards, coding guidelines, and CI/CD best practices. 

• Team Leadership & Delivery: 
  • Lead, mentor, and grow a team of firmware engineers—managing hiring, performance, and career development. 
  • Plan, prioritize, and track development cycles, firmware releases, and feature rollouts to meet timelines and quality targets. 

• Embedded Systems Innovation: 
  • Drive innovation in low-power design, real-time operating systems (RTOS), wireless protocols (LTE, NB-IoT, BLE), and security measures. 
  • Oversee board bring-up, debugging, testing, and code optimization to maximize device performance and reliability. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: 
  • Work closely with hardware, product, cloud, and production teams to ensure seamless integration across the technology stack. 
  • Represent the firmware function in interdepartmental projects, design reviews, and strategic planning. 

• Quality, Security & Compliance: 
  • Define and enforce firmware testing frameworks, version control practices, and OTA update mechanisms. 
  • Ensure firmware meets functional safety, security, and regulatory requirements for industrial applications. 

 

Required Experience & Skills 

• 8+ years of embedded firmware development, including board bring-up, debugging, and optimization. 

• 3+ years in a leadership role, with proven ability to lead, mentor, grow and hire engineering teams. 

• Expert in C/C++ for microcontrollers and real-time operating systems (e.g., Zephyr, FreeRTOS). 

• Understanding of wireless communication stacks (LTE, NB-IoT, BLE) and low-power design. 

• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, version control (Git), and firmware testing frameworks. 

• Excellent communicator, able to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Fluent in English.  

 

Nice to Have: 

• Prior experience in IoT, automotive, rail, or other industrial domains. 

• Knowledge of industrial security standards (e.g., IEC 62443) and safety certifications (e.g., ATEX).