Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

At Zepto Life Technology, Inc. (Zepto), we are dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare through the development of innovative point-of-care molecular diagnostics. Our cutting-edge platform leverages giant magnetoresistance (GMR) technology as a sensitive and scalable detection method to improve the accuracy, speed, and accessibility of disease diagnosis. By integrating breakthroughs in biotech, assay development, engineering, and software, Zepto is shaping the future of molecular diagnostics in diverse settings and empowering more accessible, efficient healthcare innovation.

Summary

Zepto Life Technology is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Embedded Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and lifecycle management of embedded firmware for our next-generation molecular diagnostic instrumentation.

This individual will serve as the technical owner of the instrument's embedded software platform, developing firmware that controls hardware operation, acquires and processes data, manages instrument workflows, and enables communication between the electronics and higher-level software applications. The ideal candidate has extensive experience developing embedded systems for complex instruments and enjoys collaborating closely with electrical, software, assay, and systems engineers to bring innovative medical devices from concept through commercialization.

Essential Duties

Work under general direction while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop and commercialize Zepto's molecular diagnostic instrumentation, including but not limited to:

• Serve as the technical owner of the embedded software and firmware architecture for Zepto's GMR diagnostic platform.
• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded firmware supporting instrument operation and control.
• Develop low-level device drivers and hardware abstraction layers (HAL) for sensors, processors, peripherals, and communication interfaces.
• Design firmware architecture that is scalable, maintainable, and compliant with medical device software development practices.
• Define and implement instrument workflows, operational sequences, state machines, and timing logic.
• Develop firmware supporting system startup, initialization, calibration, diagnostics, assay execution, error handling, and shutdown.
• Design and optimize data acquisition, data buffering, data validation, and communication between embedded firmware and application software.
• Collaborate with software engineering teams to define APIs, communication protocols, command structures, and software interfaces.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior Electrical Systems Engineer during hardware bring-up, board validation, and system integration.
• Implement firmware supporting GMR sensor data acquisition and signal processing algorithms.
• Troubleshoot embedded software, firmware, and hardware integration issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, debuggers, and other engineering tools.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for software and system-level issues.
• Develop and execute unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and software verification activities.
• Develop and maintain software design documentation, architecture documents, software requirements, verification protocols, and technical records.
• Support software risk management activities including Software FMEA, hazard analysis, and cybersecurity risk assessments where applicable.
• Support FDA submissions by preparing software documentation required for Design Controls, Design History Files (DHF), and software lifecycle documentation.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance with FDA Quality Management System Regulation and other applicable standards.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical leadership for embedded software architecture and best practices.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience designing electronic hardware.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for embedded systems.
• Experience working with hardware vendor-provided IDEs and their programming or assembly language for embedded system prototyping and troubleshooting.
• Experience developing firmware for microcontrollers, processors, or embedded Linux platforms.
• Experience developing low-level hardware drivers and hardware abstraction layers (HAL).
• Experience with embedded debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
• Experience implementing multithreaded or real-time embedded systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience using Git or other source code management systems.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex engineering projects.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Medical device development experience.
• Experience supporting FDA-regulated product development.
• Experience with molecular diagnostic or life science instrumentation.
• Experience developing sensor-based electronic systems.
• Familiarity with Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor technology.
• Experience with Python or scripting languages for automation and testing.

Competencies

• Strong technical leadership and ownership mindset.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead complex engineering projects from concept through commercialization.
• Exceptional troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across engineering, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, and executive teams.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.

Work Environment

• This position is based in a research and development laboratory and engineering environment where strict adherence to corporate policies, quality systems, and safety procedures is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The work environment includes laboratory instrumentation, electronic test equipment, prototype assembly areas, and manufacturing support activities.
• The noise level in the work environment is typical for laboratory and engineering environments.
• There is minimal exposure to Blood-borne Pathogens.
• Exposure to Infectious Diseases is mitigated through the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Occasional exposure to soldering equipment, electronic components, laboratory chemicals, cleaning agents, and manufacturing equipment may occur.

Job Type

• Pay Range:
  $85,000-$110,000
  annually. Compensation is based on several factors including education, experience, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and overall qualifications.
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm (half-hour unpaid lunch), onsite.
• Full-time employees are eligible for benefits including holiday time off, paid time off (PTO), sick time off, health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), health savings account (HSA), 401(k), and life insurance.
• Some traveling may be required.

E-Verify

Zepto Life Technology participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program in all facilities located in the United States and certain U.S. territories. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not exhaustive and does not include every task that may be required. Duties and responsibilities may change over time, and additional tasks may be assigned as needed. Zepto reserves the right to add, remove, or modify duties at the discretion of the company or its managers.

Recruitment Notice

At Zepto Life Technology, we value direct connections with our candidates. We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless there is a signed agreement with HR for the specific position. Please note that Zepto Life Technology will not pay fees for unsolicited submissions.